Renouncing mediocrity
I hardly need to define mediocrity – it surrounds us on all sides – but I think that a description of it being the quality of ordinariness, of being only average or being second rate sums it up well.
Whilst it is nothing new, our society increasingly celebrates the banal, promoting false celebrity in place of true greatness, valuing “fitting in” over standing out.
How does it do this? Well take education as one example. I recently read that due to some scaling changes, what was once graded F is now graded B. After all, we can’t have the “disadvantaged” feeling like they have failed, can we? It seems to be besides the point that they graduate without knowing how to read. This is simply promotion of mediocrity at its basest level.
When I was at a government school, the worst behaved and least academically talented students were typically the ones recognised with merit awards. At the same time, the students who were the quiet achievers were ignored.
One other example is the way that some “art” that is both talentless and offensive is paraded around as “avante-gard” by the intellectuals. At the same time, the immortal works of history, and the great writings that are the backbone of our culture are decried as the work of “dead white males” as if it is therefore self evident that they are of no worth. The mediocre is exalted, while achievement is mocked.
By glorifying mediocrity, society denigrates the truly great. As the villain Syndrome in “The Incredibles” says “And when everyone is super, no-one will be”.
Think carefully about how our tax system attempts to bring us all down to the lowest common level, with the most financially successful paying the lions share of the tax, while the least successful pay almost nothing. In the United States, the top 5% pay 57.1% of taxes, while the bottom 50% pay 3.3%. So those who have done well are forced to support a system that steals the majority of their wealth.
When you read something about a successful individual, notice how the media tries to cut the person down to size – the tall poppy syndrome. Similarly, the most mediocre boss will fail to recognise the most talented employee. Success always challenges mediocrity.
Despite all the rationalisations of our society, the mediocre person can’t get away from an inner awareness of their failings. That gnawing feeling of disquiet is the part inside them that wants to be great that is being held back. This is our birthright and is what our society works hard at extinguishing, but it never quite kills.
The rest of the mind that values not rocking the boat, not ever growing, being lazy, blaming others for our failings or playing games fights with the innate urge for greatness. However, instead of raising themselves to a higher plane, the mediocre person lashes out by trying to bring others down to their own low level. As I have said, true transformation of the psyche is something few have the courage to attempt.
Renouncing mediocrity
We can’t change society’s values, but we can change our own. Firstly, if there is mediocrity around you, challenge it and remove it from your life. Demand that others who work for you fulfill their obligations. Don’t accept their excuses and failings. Lift the level of the game.
Pursue the highest quality in your own life. Don’t accept second rate goods or services. Don’t surround yourself with the banal, or waste your time on mediocre pursuits. Take on the best that your culture offers you.
To be successful ourselves, we need to acknowledge the best that there is when we see it, and help nurture it. If there is someone around you who stands out, encourage them to develop further. Buy the best you can, even if this is unpopular or unfashionable.
Finally, if there is something in your own life that you believe is less than ideal, think about the changes you can make to become your best. Renounce everything that is mediocre and move towards what is excellent.
Tags: banal, mediocrity
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