The mediocrity principle

As a fellow mediocer (my credentials: 80% in 12th, an off campus DU college, a good but not so good B-school and presently working in a KPO) strongly agree with you. And loved that Vir Sanghvi part ….. Mediocers run the world (it is ruled by the greats though)…..

[Reply]

Superb……excellent……..
loved it very much…….last line was especially gr8….

[Reply]

There was a time when I used to get impressed (and to some extent intimidated) by the self-claimed “voracious” readers of heavy duty English books & literature. And whenever I tried reading their kind of stuff, most of it went over my head.
Over the years, I found that I quite enjoyed reading blogs and other stuff online. I find the writing here much more simpler, with a more personal touch (using English along with Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi).
Now I’ve realized that reading those unfathomable books may be great for some, but if I can’t comprehend a single word of it, so be it. I have no hard feelings for those can, as long as they don’t purposefully try to show me down for my inability to do so. It’s probably God’s will that I find happiness & ecstasy elsewhere, and not in the pages of some book…

Call me mediocre, averager, simple-minded… Frankly dear, I don’t give a damn… Now I’m pretty much at ease with myself:-)

[Reply]

Interesting post….btw, at the risk of being nit picky, the famous “I have a Dream” quote is by Martin Luther King Jr. and not by Karl Marx…

[Reply]

The last line was freakin awesome.. said it all

Go girl ! We love the way you are…
just keep writing.. please !?!

[Reply]

Why else would my blog get more comments than Vir Sanghvi’s?

i enjoy reading your posts but i couldn’t read this one. I still think you are pretty intelligent enough to know its not about mediocrity.

anyways, looking forward to your next post.

regards,

[Reply]

Mediocrity rules the world, because of the marketting machine called the media. It is full of mediocres who are given too much space and freedom to ‘educate’ the people about what is going on around them. The hype that can be created by the media is the reason that there is much ado about nothing.
There will be a backlash against this dumbing down of all values and information.
I for one do not want mediocrity to rule.
The standard needs to be raised not lowered.
Tagore got the Nobel prize and that level is to be aspired to.

[Reply]

hahahha, well said girl!
Even before I finished reading your blog I was thinking of pepping you with these exact words, that your blog receives far-too-many comments than Mr. Sanghvi
& well, you figured that out yourself
Cheers!

[Reply]

Enjoyed every bit of the article!!
I loved the ending lines coz they had a whole world of truth in it and the last line of ur blogs having more comments the perfect way to leave a smile on the face

[Reply]

Hi Tasneem,
Loved your blog. Could relate to it completely.
The examples can go on-and-on; wish I could share my experiences.

[Reply]

Well, you reminded of Mr. Rahul Gandhi… who spent a night in a Dalit house hold to show his empathy but that really does not give him even an ounce of IDEA, how a “poor” Dalit lives it’s whole life.

You declared yourself a mediocre just to blast some of societies “self proclaimed” ultra intellectuals. Well I must say quite a mediocre approach. You could have done better, I know you know it, this is just a reminder

My take, If you want to beat someone, beat them in their own game or stay down.

~Akhil

[Reply]

Loved the post !!!! its so so true and well expressed !!!

the icing on the cake … the last line !!!

Keep them coming babe !!!

[Reply]

nice, good article.

[Reply]

Yes truly,like Diya said those books with heavy words in english that one reads just to “show off” but don’t understand even a single word, was a habit to me in the past.But gradualy i realised tat its no harm to be a mediocre.Its not bad if you can’t understand such books maybe god has certain other things for you in store.

[Reply]

I like the ‘ being comfortable in own skin’ part. Sure, all of us have a right to be or remain whatever we want to (as long as we do no harm to others). Nobody should be ‘pushed’ to aspire for something, be it in literature or education or so called ‘taste’ or whatever, and any aspiration should always come from within.

But I think your last para (notwithstanding all the kudos) turns your own argument on its head. If you are comfortable with all sorts of mediocrity, why lambast the mentioned ‘epitomes’ of mediocrity as if they’re ‘unfairly’ getting their booty at the cost of others ‘more deserving’? Thereby hangs a tale.

The whole issue is, the very concept of ‘mediocrity’ seems to be based upon a comparison with something, either upwards (‘worse than…’) or downwards (‘but better than…’). So is it that those who extol the virtues of mediocrity are sometimes letting go about their ‘real aspirations’?? Jus’ asking!

Maybe we should ‘invent’ a new word (and concept), possibly akin to mediocrity, which is not based on such comparison. I believe THAT is what would truly let people professing to such a concept be totally comfortable in their skin.

I support SudhaR on the issue of not letting ‘mediocrity rule’, as in, no one should be (paradoxically) ‘forced’ to conform to the standards of mediocrity (just as in the extremely opposite case), whether by the media or technology or whoever e.g. prevalence of SMS-style language & the slow extinction of punctuation. Deliberate dumbing down (the operative word being ‘deliberate’) to lowest common denominator better be avoided.

[Reply]

Exactly right!

Why are we tied down to always think that its success or nothing else?

How would one measure success if it wasn’t for mediocre people like us?

I have to mention that i love the part where you mention that you get more comments than Vir Sanghvi’s. Apart from the obvious fact that it brought a smile to my face, but because that statement will garner you more comments than is the norm.

I would think that to be true because we are not daunted by you and your words, and if anything they bring a sense of calm and vindication of your own thoughts.

Fantastic…..

[Reply]

Didn’t Martin Luther say ‘I have a dream’….i doubt it was marx….sorry!…i can be bit of a prick!..

[Reply]

Hey! you should try your best at whatever you do, nothing else matters.

Even mainstream pop culture need not be mediocre..for eg..I think Joey Tribbianis job is to make people laugh and he did a good job, so I wouldnt call him mediocre..

I dont know who said this..but someone said..”If you are going to be a prostitute, be the best damn prostitute the world has ever seen”

[Reply]

Hi Tasneem,

Nice post!!!

I agree with you and confes that majority of people are Mediocre.

You post is light and easy to understand. Written in such a way that we can relate easilt to!!!

No comparison to Vir Sanghvi!!! He writes very well and on good and heavy topics. Thought provoking articles!!!

let me clarify, just because people do not reply to his articles, does not mean that they do not read them. it is just that, there is not much to say!!! you cannot say everytime ” well written”!!! now can you?

[Reply]

Here you go – one more comment to stay ahead of Mr Sanghvi! Nice post

[Reply]

Your post gets more comments than Vir Sanghvi since as you righty said he is a much more serious and thoughtful writer than you are. Responding to him, and to the serious subjects that he handles, requires lot of reflection and a decent level of knowledge, in the first place. That is not something any tom dick and harry can do. While people respond to you since you are a pretty young gal (as per the picture which you have posted at the start of the blog) and you usually write about frivolous subjects which doesn’t tax the brain much in comprehending and then responding to. So it is usually guys who are somewhere infatuated with you or your yaya sister hood girlfriends with probably similar high society background who write about their similar experiences. I don’t know how Virs blog on this site displays so few comments but if you subscribe to his website via the RSS feeder (like I do) u will see that he gets loads of those every day. His responses too are sometimes worth compiling and publishing. The kind of conversations he triggers are of a much serious nature than the good natured banter we see here. Of course by this I do not mean to disparage you in anyway I am just trying to state some facts as I see them.

And the people you have mentioned as mediocre are actually geniuses who have quite prudently identified the market demand or rather the mediocre intellect of the market and they have found a way of very ably catering to it. By that definition you too are genius. Congratulations

[Reply]

Nice Article,

But look Chethan Bhagat was an investment banker ( probably not a good one but still ) who dumbed down because he knew that his audience have the attention span of a tomato. His was a case of an IIM guy providing a service for IIPM gentry. More market segmentation than mediocrity.

Also I have a dream, i beleive is MLK not the commie

All in all very honest..i thinkits a Cost benefit analysis actually , are you willing to put in the extra effort for excellence or competence and is it worth it…..

And if you dumb down a piece dont you get more readers…no one like it when the prose is too Prolix!

[Reply]

they say “majority rules.”
Be happy, u r part of majority.
guess what, it ain’t a mediocre comment.

[Reply]

ok…..I am just above average guy(though after clearing IIT ..not everone think so).but i think if every person becomes happy and accepts the way he is then why will he crave for the best & try out different things………take a common case of pao bhaji vendor…if he is content with his small stall then he will not , in his whole life own a restaurant or a bigger shop……..
i hope u got the crux….

[Reply]

nice article! .. and you are not a mediocre

[Reply]

Brilliant read.

And you will not only receive more comments then Vir Sanghvi but also most of the readers will send this articles to their friends and their friends will send it to many more.. I am just about to do that..

[Reply]

you know why you are so good?you are so good because you are able to put into words whats millions of people think in their head.they read your articles and immediately connect with you.your words of wisdom or criticism or just musings make us realise we are not alone.there is someone who just like has crazy fetishes dreams and desires.Desires to sore up high in the sky but somehow the feet are firmly planted on the ground.You give words to our dreams Tasmeen and for that i am thankful…

[Reply]

Highbrow — a person who possesses or has pretensions to superior learning or culture (Merriam-Webster).

1) Whose superior learning is it anyway?

2) You can “possess” or “pretend”…

There are other definitions of course. Please cite someone else if that pleases you

[Reply]

And why “Hindustan Times” sells more than “The Hindu”!

[Reply]

Hey,
I read this piece in HT today. What a start to the day this was Had to come here and tell ya, that’s an awesome piece there….

Mediocrity – at its very best

[Reply]

great article yaar. excellent finish.

[Reply]

WOW. Tasneem you speak the clarity of time for all the folks in your age group (which by the way also includes me). I don’t think I can be any more understanding and appreciative to your blog than I am now and Thanks for that.

[Reply]

love that article

[Reply]

Having seen the Eon it in detail along with the pricing, I would immediately say that Alto will still have its market. You mention that even “Maruti knows that Eon is better than the Alto” – why shouldn’t it be. The Alto design is more that 6 years old!! Wait and see the new Alto when it comes out in 2012. It will be better that the Eon. Just because the design of the Eon is so called “fluidic” in nature, does not mean it is superior to the Alto. Yes, it looks more modern (probably) – but as a prospective car buyer, I would still say that the Alto is my choice. I have driven the Alto and it is superb with a reasonable fuel consumption. I do not quite see the Eon out doing it in performance. Also, to my understanding, Maruti has quite few a tricks up its sleeve. Wait and watch.

[Reply]

but i don’t think hyundai eon will beat alto k-10 as latter has better engine than former – http://goo.gl/k126X

[Reply]

mediocrity at its bestest!

[Reply]

dear Observer,
You dont have any other work other then reading this website and discourage a good article.
regards,
opposer.

[Reply]

Bravo Arnab. I don’t know about today’s youngsters, but my generation admires Indira Gandhi. She was truly a practitioner of the politics that Kautiliya’s Arthashastra, (and before him Mahabharata’s Shanti Parva) and much later Machiavelli preached. India’s goody 2shoes, effete foreign policy is a joke. We need the kind of leadership that Indira Gandhi displayed when she broke Pakistan, humiliated Nixon, annexed Sikkim and unashamedly followed the policy of India first. Great powers and great nations always do what they think is right. So, India should actively take steps to neutralise those “stateless freelancers” across the border who plan terror attacks in India, repeat in Maldives what Rajiv Gandhi did in 1988 and play the role that our geography enjoins upon us.
Thank you, Arnab, for speaking up for India.

[Reply]

Most anti_Muslim report. Mitra CIA, Jewish agent. India’s progressive foreign relations pride of progressive citizens. Mitra is neo-liberal face of US agents educated in that country. But peoples will see through his nefarious design.

[Reply]

Author talking language of neo-imperialists. Such policy lead India in war with everyone. Only serve imperial interests and money for arms dealers. Non-alignment and friendship with neighbours way forward for peaceful coexistence.

[Reply]

Absolutely spot on Arnab! We need think tanks of high calibre individuals not bureaucrats.Our present foreign policy is always a reaction to whatever has just happened-duh?

[Reply]

Hope ‘rightful place at the head of the global high table’ means to be as in one’s own right,strength and beliefs and as an equal and not as a subordinated ally of a super-power. For that India has to become a super-power itself and lead a group of like thinking nations who have faith,trust and believe in India and it’s international relations policy which should be bedded on peaceful co-existence and cooperation.

[Reply]

Excellent review.

Part of the problem stems from economic weakness compared to say China and hypocracy and stupidity.when it comes to foreign policy. The success story of India is hyped by the west for politics and wishfully believed by Indians. Any country with more people in poverty than all 20 poorest nations in Africa can only be called super Poor not super power. In fact India can not be called a third world country as it does injustice to other third world nations like Sri Lanka, South and central American countries like Brazil, Peru etc.

This is a nation hated by ALL its neighbours. Has issues with both big and small nations. China to Maldives, Nepal to Sri Lanka. Even Bangladesh which owes its creation to India is not in good terms with India.

The recent Delhi attack supposed caught the Delhi police by surprise. We will never get close to booking the suspects. This is a nation which should have developed anti terrorism units to the fullest after several debacles from the attack on Parliment to the Mumbai attacks.

New Delhi should learn foreign policy from China. Theor string of pearls doctrine of establishing bases all around India from Myanmar to Lanka to Pakistan to perhaps Maldives.
This is acountry which has gone far away from Gandhian principles puts on a “moral cloak” dealing with the Military in Myanmar. Wsa the first to recgnise the Russain Junta which overthrew Gorbachov to soon find egg on its face when Yeltsin sent the coup packing.

We and the countries in the neighbourhood fully well know all the billions spent on arms are meant for the republic day parrade. What then were the aircraft carriers doing when an anti Indian coup took place in Fiji? How is the force projected vis a vie Maldives?
What was the million strong army and the costly toys with the airforce doing post attacks on the Parliment and Mumbai?

The pathetic Indian foreign policy is reflective of the economic, intellectual and moral bankruptcy of the establishment and is due to continue for years to come.
This country would be the playgound for terrorists who know they can get away with impunity while the countries army is engaged in action against its own people in several states calling social issues as insurgencies.

[Reply]

Well it is no brainer …… ! It is also heartening to see that the Indian leadership is not carried away by the western propaganda, in Obama’s words “the Super Power that has arrived”.

Investments in India’s infrastructure sector has yet to take off, some mega malls in the urban areas alone will not make India a super power, it’s transformation must resemble that of China. India needs at least a two decades of investments in roads and electricity generation for industry and business to come of age, apart from overhauling the big cities.

There is no doubt that India has a long way to go …. India must not take its eyes off the ball, while maintaining the momentum of GDP growth….. not an easy task ………. !!!

[Reply]

One of the best articles I have read laying out the challenges before the indian foreign policy establishment and their current state of lily liveried stupor.

[Reply]

Thank you Arnab for being a lone voice speaking the truth. Lost as we are in our inner dynamics, we are reluctant to look outwards and assess the world outside. We are happy with our petty politics in the office, carrying a gossip to the boss to catch his ear and perhaps a reward. India becoming a Superpower — that is a big joke! Who has to time to think of India? When making money is the simple goal, there is no room for such unremunerative issues like India and which way the country needs to go. Keeping the country engrossed with issues like quota for minorities with controversial statements and creating a turmoil is the convenient strategy to keep the people away from thinking of bigger issues. Indira Gandhi had some thoughts of raising India to a higher status but that was gone after the fateful Allahabad High Court judgement where after she became just another politician. Really sad to see such laborious people who give so much when working for others (as in US) but who fail miserably when they have do something for themselves. Any other country would have grabbed the opportunity of a Nuclear Deal to bring home wide ranging technology; any other country would have formulated a cogent policy for tackling terror across the land whereas in India it has become a fight between the centre and the state. Just think of what is going on at Kudankulam! What more do we need to ask and address serious questions about the future of India? The superpower question at this time can best be left to astrologers.

[Reply]

In India, the diplomacy they practice is very naive and will not work in self-interest world. I wish they are bit more aggressive in their approach and hold the people accountable for causing damages to the country inside and outside. Still people like Mr. Dawood Ibrahim are alive and sometime, Indian papers do write praising article about how smart he runs his operations. That’s a shame. I want India to accept the death of our Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri as a murder by Soviet Union because he wasn’t aligned with mediation and he was tough with Pakistan at Tashkent. I think it’s about time; they should come clean and accept the truth and give due respect to a good leader. Pride starts within.

[Reply]

Agree, Foreign Policy 101 means self interest…self interest and self interest both in theory and in PRACTICE. Indian foreign policy “elites” both bureaucrats and ministers have yet show the mastery over this freshman level course.

Secondly, today’s foreign policy has to be an engine in full motion with all cylinders firing in synchronous fashion….especially the economic, environmental and water resources, military, security, intellectual property and most importantly strategic advantage fronts. And yes, good and noble neighborly relations fall within the confines of these key national interests.

Author Arnab Mitra has provided an excellent analysis of the state of Indian foreign policy. its past, present and future contexts and the desirebles within the dynamics of globalized world, where there will only be five or six mega players…..the US, and North America, China, Europe, India, Russia and Japan. Last three, clearly have a place….the question is will they take on the needed leadership in defining the 21st century. Thanks.

[Reply]

The title should be Impotent India. The Indian government should have in no uncertain terms called the Iranian ambassador and pulled him down for the bomb attack against the Isreali’s diplomat’s wife. However nothing of the sort happened and India became the laughing stock of the World once again. Palestine has been created by the USA for radical muslims to support their cause and take away the pressure from the facist Arab regimes of Kuwait,Saudi Arabia,etc. Palestians are lazy good for nothing people. Yes the article except for the title is good analysis of the situation India is in. However one should also put a similar article on the economic front. With budget and balance of payment deficits, outdated tax,industrial,labor laws, rampant corruption and huge bureaucracy, Indian economy will collapse in the coming years leading to chaos and anarchy on a scale which will make present day Somalia look like a paradise.

[Reply]

A sensible article with the logic of power equations. Power begets respect and respect begets compliance. Power not shown is as good as absent. Politics of power is to exhibit but never use it. India has to learn a lot in mind control. But for that we have to break away from the slavery hangover that still persists.

[Reply]

If we dont take action, ultimately we will be affected by other’s actions …..

[Reply]

Its little bit preposterous to think doing covert war in ur neighbours, when u have reds wrapping your own country from top to down?? I am startled by this guy’s lack of foreign policy expertise? I seriously doubt his credentials as a foreign policy writer? When was Nepal pro-china? Nepal has always wanted respectful relations with both India and China because of its proximity to both countries. You don’t win friends by strring hot water in friendly countries? Besides, its India’s own weakness that its diplomatic mission is smaller than that of Singapore, a tiny island, in terms of manpower and infrastructure. I think the best thing India can do is like USA did to Europe, bring some plan for south Asia which will win hearts and minds. Besides, we are culturally similar and the economic liberalization and integration will bring us closer to each other.

[Reply]

I was watching Mani Sankar Aiyar on NDTV. And, I was baffled after watching him to congratulate Indian “South Block” for successfully managing Maldives issue. I was literally laughing that how ignorant he thinks people are. But, it was appalling to see that young audience of that program were clapping to celebrate that success. It seems like many Indians don’t go by facts but they go by emotionally motivated speeches.

I have been watching Mani for years now, and he comes out as an arrogant, ignorant and an “english” speaker who thinks less of people who do not speak English. Especially, on NDTV programs, sometimes he takes moral high ground but his actions speak otherwise. On many issues, like Bhopal Gas Incident, 1984 Riots, 2G Scam, etc.

As the author mentions here about Non-alignment Policy, Mani strongly believes in it. I am afraid of that he could influence Indian Foreign Policy. It seems to me that there are many incompetent people who governs Indian policy which is harming India badly.

[Reply]

Hi Arnab Are you by any chance working for Uncle Sam think tank? I would call GOI at least PRAGMATIC and in tune with REALPOLITIK. Why do you want India to be the tail of the American dog or poodle of Western interests? Learn to stand for India’s interest. Iran and Israel are both friends fro different reasons. As you are well aware on global stage thre are no permanent friends or enemies JUST NATIONAL INTERESTS OF EACH NATION.

By using bogey of cold war Yanks have done in India many times including both infamous CIA and bull headed US State department and famous reminder of all DISCRIMINATION -NPT and all nuclear treaties to keep Idnia out of Nuclear club! Pray tell me how did Pak get nuclear knowhow under protection of CIA and claimed ignirance to defeat Soviets in Afghanistan with pak help?Why did Yanks turn blind eye to transfer of missile technology from Pak to China even though they had signed MTCR? What happened in 1990s when jihadi hordes massacred Indians in Kashmir

What the heck whatever Western nations do is out of self interest just that they are more media savvy and know where and when to grease palms.

Please study hsitory of 1950s and you will know that 1sr democratically elected Iranian Government in Middle East was toppled by UK and USA for Iranian Oil and had VISE like Grip over Iran till corrupt and cruel American stooge Shah of Iran was overthrown in 1970s???

At least a journalist is expected to know better and all this data is known and in public domain. India would rather be a meaningful power than APING THE WEST!

Ram

Singapore

[Reply]

Really well written Arnab. Cudn’t agree with you more….I think the present Indian Govt strongly believes that if you do not ‘react’ to a particular situation, it would take care of itself and people would forget in due course of time.

[Reply]