Selectivity

Psychologists attribute that social selectivity to a recognition that time is growing too short to waste it on people we don’t like.

[…] while music was known to have scientific qualities — harmony, Pythagorean proportional relationship, etc. — it was the musician who by his selectivity made these proportions beautiful, […]

“We must stop conflating selectivity with excellence. We must stop correlating prestige with privilege,” he said.

Proponents of selectivity herald its cost effectiveness; instead of resources being spread over a vast population, money or services can be used where they are most needed. This can help fill in the gaps between needy and non-needy groups. […] Critics of selectivity argue, however, that it may be more cost effective to provide social welfare benefits across the board rather than to spend time and money sorting out those who are "truly disadvantaged."