Notes On Mediocrity
Few words capture the nature of the “ordinary” like the adjective “mediocre.” It conveys a less-than-perfect quality about any subject, evoking a negative connotation when applied. While what one might consider “mediocre” is subjective, it holds limitations and specific characteristics that make its use particularly effective.
Mediocrity implies a figurative deficit. It is less of what is, but more of what is not. It is not excellent, not perfect, or particularly impressive. Equally, it is not particularly bad, terrible, or horrendous. Defined more by what it lacks, mediocrity suggests adequacy and a “meh” nature. It does not need to imply the exact median between “the best” and “the worst.” Rather, mediocrity lies somewhere between the two and it can lean toward one side more than the other.
Finding pleasure in mediocrity shows our ability to accept something for its simplicity. While regularly consuming ordinary things might reflect a fraction of one’s poor taste, it also highlights a capacity to find contentment in modesty. A few examples of things I find to be mediocre, but I often consume because of the pleasure they evoke for me: Chipotle, Faye Webster, and cheese pizza.
Mediocrity only exists in relation to something greater or worse. From the example above, I consider a slice of plain cheese pizza “mediocre” as four-cheese, Margherita, and pepperoni pizza exist. Yet often I find myself craving a plain slice because of its consistent reliability, whereas the more complex risks the possibility of failing.
When expecting better or the best, one creates room for disappointment. My expectations resulted in mediocrity when I anticipated having an exquisite meal at a highly praised restaurant. When I visited, I found the food disappointing. Had I lowered my expectations, or had none at all, would I have rated the food differently? I might have rated the food for itself without the added context of its popularity influencing my judgment.
Whether starting at a new job or attempting to receive recognition for one’s art, watching mediocrity rise over work of high caliber can result in frustration and discourage one’s efforts. Ultimately, admiration for mediocrity will continue for a multitude of reasons: profitability, fear of disappointment, and easy satisfaction. While individuals, businesses, and entire industries promote decent work, brilliant and profound attempts will go unrecognized.
Mediocrity is a privilege. In current discourse surrounding nepotism in Hollywood, some argue that children of famous people do not have to be exceptional at their jobs to gain opportunities. Someone without connections will have to work from the ground up to achieve success, requiring talent and hard work to excel. While some must demonstrate their talent and skill, the nepo child has the privilege of being “okay” at their job.
Capitalism might breed innovation, but it also breeds mediocrity. For capitalism to function, it relies on a small percentage of people’s “ingenuity,” in turn creating an “average” group of people who will not find an equal level of success as those at the top. While billionaires hoard wealth under the guise of “genius,” the working class must accept the label of mediocrity. This is not to say that individuals of the working class are mediocre, but that capitalism and its proponents hold that the ultra-successful reached their wealth due to their brilliance, whereas the rest of us are simply ordinary. Capitalism can only work if there is an inequality of “greatness.” Mediocrity, as a label, exists in part due to capitalism.
To accept mediocrity is to accept one cannot always produce perfection or attain greatness. Mistakes and errors in judgment are inevitable to human existence. On the other hand, not all of our choices are terrible or life-altering. Most of our thoughts are not profound and the majority of the work we produce is mediocre. Yet, accepting our mediocrity does not mean we have given up, but rather shows a human characteristic of choosing efficiency over futile excellence that might not extend past our lifetime. When we acknowledge our inability to be the best, we realize that to be human is to be comfortably mediocre.