We May Be Mediocre, and That’s Okay
(By Muh. Syahrul Padli)
No matter how great we are at one or two things, we are “mediocre” at many others — perhaps even in life itself.
Let’s start with an example. Since I’m a teacher, I’ll use an example related to exams. I apologize if this isn’t relatable for everyone or if it brings back unpleasant school memories.
Imagine a school exam! Most students will score neither too high nor too low — most fall somewhere in the middle. Only a few will score exceptionally high or very low. This pattern resembles what’s called a normal distribution in statistics.
A normal distribution looks like a bell curve: high in the middle and gradually tapering off to the left and right. Most people land in the middle of the curve — the “mediocre” category.
In real life, if we look at abilities or qualities like academic achievement, wealth, or anything in general, the majority of people are clustered around the average.
Only a small number of people fall outside this average — whether as highly successful or struggling individuals. This is how mathematics summarizes natural trends into patterns.
What Does “Mediocre” Mean?
Perhaps it’s time to embrace the term “mediocre” and see it as a word that describes ourselves, because most of us are indeed “mediocre.” And that’s okay.
The word “mediocre” comes from the Latin mediocris, meaning “average” or “in the middle.” In everyday use, it refers to something that’s not great but not terrible either — just ordinary or acceptable.
In nature, mediocre organisms play a crucial role in maintaining the balance of food webs. In the pyramid of producers and consumers, the base must be large to support the system.
Ecosystems don’t just rely on the peak of predators like lions or eagles but also on creatures living “in the middle,” such as herbivores or insects. They may not be flashy, but without them, ecosystems would collapse.
Similarly, in genetics, most individuals in a population fall in the middle of the spectrum. For example, very few people possess extreme physical or intellectual abilities, and even fewer have both. Most fall into the average category.
The existence of this mediocre majority creates stability and helps prevent humanity from facing risks associated with a population made up entirely of highly specialized individuals.
Let’s try a wild analysis: our mediocrity may be nature’s strategy for preserving human survival.
Take birth rates in Indonesia as an example. The balance between rational and irrational thinkers contributes to the country’s relatively stable population growth.
Rational thinking means making logical decisions based on evidence and understanding cause-effect relationships. Rationality helps life function efficiently but, if taken too far, it can lead to extreme outcomes.
For instance, a rational woman might decide not to marry or have children, knowing that competition is tough, the environment is deteriorating, and there’s no guarantee of a fair system. She might create an isolated, elite world where only her descendants thrive.
This over-rationalization could widen social class gaps. On the flip side, irrational thinking allows room for decisions based on emotion, hope, or social narratives, which sustain a diverse population.
The balance between rational, moderately rational, and irrational people seems to be maintained by nature and society, establishing that the majority remain “mediocre.” Mediocrity, after all, is the result of natural selection and evolution — it’s what fits best within a collective environment.
From this forced argument, living an ordinary life isn’t a bad thing. We don’t need to be extraordinary or stand out from the statistical norm in intelligence or rationality. At least, we’re part of the crowd that survives.
The Problem with Modern Narratives
Many think living in mediocrity is boring because it makes us like everyone else. To some extent, this is true. For others, it’s not such a big deal. But for newer generations, it might feel awful.
Why? Because advertisements and media heavily push the message: “Be unique, be different.” Psychologically and evolutionarily, we are built to want to grow and stand out. When this narrative is mixed with fiction, its impact on our subconscious becomes even stronger.
Nature’s Perspective: A Balanced Pyramid
In nature, every being has its role. Not every animal becomes a lion, and not every plant grows into a big tree. Most living organisms play their own unique part, yet each one is crucial for maintaining the balance of the ecosystem.
The same applies to humans. Not everyone becomes a leader, a celebrity, a successful entrepreneur, or a big trader. Many roles may seem simple, but without them, society would not function.
Imagine if everyone were a boss — who would handle the vital work behind the scenes? Would we need to import labor from poorer countries? What if there were no construction workers, no teachers, and so on?
Social, economic, and financial systems naturally bring people into different “boxes.” Unfortunately, some end up in the least comfortable and most insecure box. This is unavoidable in diverse countries like Indonesia, with its multiethnicities and cultures.
Achieving balance in such a society is challenging. It takes huge effort to unify differences, and the potential for chaos is high. That’s why, in highly diverse countries like Indonesia, stability must come before progress.
In such conditions, it’s incredibly difficult to climb from mediocrity to extraordinary success. Competition is rarely fair, and it’s more likely that those in the middle class will slip into weakness rather than rise above it.
Like the primary producers and consumers in a food web — nature’s “mediocre” group — in economic and social phenomena, the middle class serves as the mediocrity of society.
The financial middle class is the backbone of the economy. They are the primary consumers and the main drivers of economic activity. Without them, the balance between production and consumption would collapse — much like the role of primary producers and consumers in an ecosystem.
Moreover, in the job market, most roles don’t require extreme skills. Instead, they rely on intermediate abilities held by the majority of the population. This means that mediocrity in the economy is the foundation that keeps the system running.
Sadly, Indonesia’s economic condition has been worsening. The middle class is shrinking, consumption is decreasing, and investors are becoming hesitant. For many, survival has become harder, with purchasing power declining and savings being drained to cover essential needs.
Hopefully, this downturn doesn’t last forever. Yet, for now, many have fallen into poverty or vulnerability. If you’re pessimistic, it might all seem inevitable.
When left with no choice but to remain mediocre or fall into vulnerability, the only thing we can do is accept it. We must see it as all we have. After all, there’s no guarantee that any life beyond what God has given us would be better. Acceptance doesn’t mean giving up — it just means focusing on what matters.
Since we may not excel financially, it’s more meaningful to complement this mediocre life with healthy social relationships, gratitude, and purposeful routines. Chasing grand achievements that are impossible with our resources — or in conditions that don’t allow fair competition — might only harm our mental health.
The Perspective of Social Evolution
Humans have always lived in groups with clear divisions of roles. Some become leaders, others serve as wise thinkers, and many support the group from behind the scenes. Without this cooperation, humanity would not have survived for thousands of years — from the hunting and gathering era to the agricultural revolution, and now the industrial age.
Through evolution, this division of roles emerged as the most efficient way to avoid extinction. Exceptional individuals may lead or innovate, but they still depend on groups for physical and emotional support. It’s the “ordinary” people — those who are often invisible — who play the most vital roles. Over time, this pattern has survived.
So, if we feel our lives are ordinary, remember that we are part of something bigger. Mediocrity is a crucial element of the balance that keeps the world turning.
And if we’ve tried but still can’t escape mediocrity, we might as well accept it. Perhaps it’s not such a bad thing after all.
Takalar, January 25, 2025
