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[Phys-L] "cutthroat" label



=20
Mr. Uretsky cited the following:

________________________________


Class standing is extremely important at the Naval Academy. It determ=
ines
relative seniority in the Navy at graduation and the order in which o=
ne
"makes his number" for future promotions as vacancies occur; both pay=
and
seniority are involved. Class standings are also important to selecti=
on
boards for war colleges and other competitive assignments throughout =
a
career. If a midshipman reaches the top of his class through sheer
brilliance--or perhaps favored by several years of university experie=
nce
before entering--he is not ordinarily resented, but the grind who
sacrifices athletics, girls, and other normal leisure pursuits to dev=
ote
all his energy to academics is resented as a cutthroat who gains numb=
ers
in class standing--and future seniority in the Navy--by unfair
competition, hence by cutting the throats of his classmates. Both
"perforated page" incidents related to cutthroats; both were number 1=
or 2
men in their class; both were selfish, abrasive personalities; and bo=
th
happened to be Jewish.*


________________________________

=20
I am at a loss to understand why hard work is considered "unfair comp=
etition", and success should only be due to prior experience or accid=
ents of birth. My conjecture is that the prevailing ethic views tale=
nt as inherent, and thus out of another's reach, while *anyone* can w=
ork hard--and thus if anyone does, everyone else has no excuse. Lazi=
ness and mediocrity as standards.
=20
=20
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