Sort of (if ability is hard to directly observe, but higher-ability people find it easier to obtain credentials, then there could be an equilibrium where one needs a credential in order to be taken seriously, even if the process of obtaining the credential doesn't actually do anything), but not in any substantive detail. But really (notwithstanding a book I had daydreamed of writing), it's probably better that I don't look into it. As I keep telling myself (and keep neglecting to take my own advice), it's much healthier to just focus on doing good intellectual work, rather than waste any more precious time and emotional energy continuing to feel pointlessly bitter and resentful that "society" (whatever that means) doesn't care about the sorts of things I consider good work.

(Speaking of healthy working habits, I'm going to try taking out a $20 StickK contract and putting "127.0.0.1 lesswrong.com\n127.0.0.1 news.ycombinator.com\n127.0.0.1 reddit.com" in my /etc/hosts for 14 days to see if I can remember what it feels like to not be constantly distracted; wish me luck.)