Why you should embrace mediocrity | Crispin Thurlow | Ted Talks Daily

Intro

In this episode of Ted Talks Daily, Crispin Thurlow explores the idea of embracing mediocrity and celebrating ordinaryness. He challenges the societal pressure to constantly strive for excellence and success, and instead encourages us to find value in being unexceptional. Thurlow suggests that by reclaiming the notion of mediocrity, we can avoid the disappointment and status anxiety that comes with constantly comparing ourselves to others.

Main Takeaways

Embracing Mediocrity

• Crispin Thurlow suggests celebrating ordinaryness and embracing mediocrity without feeling like a failure.
• Not everyone can be a top student, winner, or leader; most people live an ordinary life.
• Thurlow challenges himself to embrace mediocrity and reclaims its notion.
• Mediocrity, rooted in the Indo-European medial meaning middle, is about existing between extremes.
• The trick is to recognize mediocrity without allowing others to make us feel like failures or losers.

The Language of Superiority and Comparison

• The modern world is filled with a relentless language of superiority and comparison, pressuring individuals to constantly aspire for superiority and status.
• The word “elite” is widely used to market goods and services, appearing in non-elite spaces and suggesting that superiority is easily obtained.
• The language of superiority and comparison is good for business, as it encourages constant aspiration and acquisition, ultimately leading to increased consumerism.
• The word “premium” is used to convey a sense of having a little bit extra or more compared to others, and it is widely used in various banal spaces to attract consumers.
• These comparisons are a form of symbolic violence, where words manipulate us against our own best interests.

Finding Value in Being Unexceptional

• Social comparison leaves us feeling insecure, inadequate, and unsatisfied, as there will always be something more or better, and someone better off.
• Embracing mediocrity may hold the key to avoiding symbolic violence, finding value in being unexceptional, and accepting our averageness.
• In a society focused on superiority and comparison, it takes determination and courage to be ordinary.

Summary

Embracing Mediocrity

Crispin Thurlow suggests that instead of constantly striving for excellence and success, we should embrace mediocrity and celebrate ordinaryness. He challenges the notion that everyone can be a top achiever and encourages us to recognize the value of living an ordinary life. By reclaiming the notion of mediocrity, which stems from the concept of existing between extremes, we can avoid feeling like failures or losers. Thurlow believes that accepting our averageness can lead to a more content and fulfilling life.

The Language of Superiority and Comparison

In today’s society, we are bombarded with a language that promotes superiority and comparison. Words like “elite” and “premium” are used to market goods and services, creating a sense of superiority and aspiration. However, this constant comparison can lead to feelings of insecurity, inadequacy, and dissatisfaction. Thurlow argues that these comparisons are a form of symbolic violence, as they manipulate us against our own best interests. By recognizing the impact of this language and not allowing it to define our worth, we can free ourselves from the pressure to constantly strive for superiority and status.

Finding Value in Being Unexceptional

Social comparison often leaves us feeling unsatisfied, as there will always be someone who is more successful or better off. Thurlow suggests that embracing mediocrity may be the key to avoiding this constant dissatisfaction. By accepting our averageness and finding value in being unexceptional, we can free ourselves from the relentless pursuit of superiority. In a society that values excellence and comparison, it takes determination and courage to be ordinary. However, by embracing mediocrity, we can find contentment and a sense of fulfillment in our own lives.

Conclusion

In a world that constantly promotes excellence and comparison, Crispin Thurlow’s talk on embracing mediocrity offers a refreshing perspective. By reclaiming the notion of mediocrity and finding value in being unexceptional, we can avoid the disappointment and status anxiety that comes with constantly comparing ourselves to others. Thurlow’s message reminds us that living an ordinary life is not a failure, but rather a privileged place to be.