related to investments. Outperformance and overachievement are bases of the intellectual elites and related to luxury consumption. Overachievement may instigate economic growth. John Maynard Keynes' multiplier effect attributes investments of overachievers as some of the drivers of economic growth. Investments of the striving elite multiply in economic spending in the overall economy. Too-big-to-fail bailout and leadership arguments back the idea of bundling excellence in elites, whose larger-scaled overachiever projects are funded by long-term investments that stimulate economic growth. Consumption of the elite is an economic growth factor. Thorstein Veblen's trickling down of excellence emphasizes that luxury consumption is a driver of economic growth and accelerator of social enhancement and cultural advancement. Conspicuous consumption may motivates others to strive to consume as well. The American Dream ideals of striving to outperform are foundations of economic productivity. Economic inefficiencies of discrimination of excellence range from lost economic potential and inefficiencies, career-switching costs and diminishing human capital and labor productivity. Health and societal risks experienced in the wake of discrimination imply social, socio-psychological and emotional burdens. Historical foundations Slowing down overachievers and abolishing intellectual outperformance has occurred throughout history. Various regimes attempted to eradicate, cut down or slow performance and discourage individual striving. Societal structure Discrimination of excellence theory integrates the 'übergroup' in the social psychology social identity theory categorization of society into so-called 'ingroups' and 'outgroups.' 'Übergroups' capture the societal position of natural strivers who outperform and therefore are prone to face discrimination of excellence. Socio-demographic prevalences include age groups, hierarchical positions and seniority principles that may breed discrimination of excellence. Socio-psychological motives Socio-psychological motives and emotions that cause and accompany discrimination of excellence include envy, jealousy, inferiority complex, reputation greed and suboptimal group norms. Alleviation strategies Excellence is an asset of the economy and society. Protection from discrimination is grounded in human beings being treated with equal respect and dignity. Respect for excellence offers individual well-being derived from dignity, economic prosperity grounded in large-scale individuals' striving and societal advancement founded on overachieving elites. Legal codifications, economic action and public policy as well as corporate workplace incentives protect performance free from discrimination. Awareness building, transparency and mandatory access to information on hiring, testing and promotion criteria appear as natural remedies besides legal action to combat discriminating individuals, institutional and systemic structures. Cultures-of-excellence safe havens but also rescue funds for those whose career has taken a hit due to discrimination of excellence are