A Mediocre Piece

 

 

"World is ruled by mediocres who are sincere", a friend of my dad once told me. I would not be naive enough to generalize it because of the inherent risk any generalization carries. Yet it surprises me how little we talk about the largest section of mankind on the planet - mediocres. The entire limelight, it seems, is hogged by the two extremes. But this column is not to sulk about that - not that it would make any difference if it did so.

          Wikipedia defines the word "mediocre" as something of ordinary or moderate quality, or something that is neither good nor bad. The society, of course, places these parameters on humans to categorize them. But, in my view - as little though it matters - no person can summarily be called mediocre. It is a relative term that varies with perspective. Society however simplifies this problem in its own self-suiting manner. It follows a few general yardsticks of wealth, knowledge, intelligence and power. Other, not-so-appealing qualities are simply ignored. This is not to imply that I have anything against them for this ghettoization of us all as mediocres. In fact, one of the qualities - and failings - of ours is our ability to accept this tag and get on with it. Keeping the wheels in motion by spending our lives doing the so called mundane everyday tasks. Heroic deeds are strictly off our charts. We never complain about it either. Who knows, what may happen if we take offence.

          This column, however, is not intended to do anything of that likening, because that would be extraordinary. I intend to keep it very mediocre. And to give it a mediocre ending, some wise words would be apt. But then, when has wisdom been the forte of mediocres?