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Mediocrity, thou art supreme

Writer's picture: Amit ShankarAmit Shankar

It is in the air now!

Yes, mediocrity has straddled us and has seeped into our lives, making us emotionally, mentally and physically bankrupt and vulnerable. Look around you. Do you see a spark of brilliance anywhere? Turn on your TV; brain-dead shows like Big Boss and Kapil Sharma Show have the highest TRP. Scroll through the list of blockbuster movies; you will find some senseless plots scorching the charts. Even literature has come under the nebulous gloom of Mediocrity.




A nation with Kumar Vishwas as its informal Rashtra Kavi and Manoj Muntashir as the next doyen of Urdu poetry holds no future. The state of English literature is no better. Chetan Bhagat and Amish have damaged minds so extensively that classics like War and Peace, Wuthering Heights or Lord of the Rings are beyond the purview of these vulnerable minds fed on pedestrian language and storytelling.


This streak extends well into our work life, too. Young graduates from premier institutes can't even write an email; brand managers thrive on Chat GPT, and marketing managers can’t differentiate between sales and marketing. The saga continues; losers of the first order have become life coaches and motivational gurus and are making more money than a Wharton graduate. Can you imagine a motivational guru has launched ‘MBA in 11 days’ and this sham is his highest-selling course?


How did this happen?

Changes in societal values and cultural norms have influenced people's standards for themselves and others. There is a shift towards prioritising instant gratification or superficial achievements. Accentuated by a defunct education system, it has added to mediocrity. Standardised testing, a focus on memorisation, and a lack of emphasis on critical thinking skills have hindered the development of well-rounded individuals.


The rise of social media has contributed to a culture of comparison, unrealistic standards, and the pursuit of external validation, potentially leading to mediocrity. In today’s highly competitive world, the fear of failure also deter individuals from taking risks or pursuing ambitious goals. This fear leads to complacency and contributes to mediocrity. Uninspired individuals never strive for excellence and settle for average or suboptimal performance.



After all, what else do I expect in a world where 2 Minutes Maggi is the food for a whole new generation?


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