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!