Meritocracy & Independence – What Happened to the West?
Join Liberty Labs Toronto for our thirteenth meetup on Thursday, August 20, 2026, at 7:00 PM near Yonge and Eglinton! This month we’re examining one of the biggest cultural shifts of our time: how the West has moved away from a culture of meritocracy and personal independence toward something very different. We’ll discuss: The classical liberal roots of Western success, individual responsibility, equality of opportunity, and the belief that outcomes should largely follow effort and ability How those norms have changed (equity over equality, safetyism, institutional capture, declining trust in competence) The consequences for innovation, social mobility, free speech, and personal agency Whether these shifts are reversible, and what individuals can do to preserve or rebuild independence in their own lives Open floor for examples, counter-arguments, and real-world observations from Canada and beyond This is a free-flowing, evidence-based conversation. No orthodoxy required, just honest discussion from a liberty-minded perspective. What to expect: Open discussion and idea-sharing Complimentary appetizers Everyone who attends will receive a million-dollar Zimbabwe note as a fun take-home reminder of real value vs. fiat illusions Connect with 10-20 liberty-minded Torontonians Venue: Pickle Barrel (2300 Yonge St, at Yonge & Eglinton), right above Eglinton Station. Easy parking in the Yonge Eglinton Centre garage or nearby Green P lots. RSVP to save your spot. Let’s talk about what the West once valued — and what it will take to keep those values alive. See you there!
