Erik Lang

Our generation is a breeding ground of average.  This sounds harsh, but after much observation I have come to this final conclusion.  This is strictly an opinion and simply a theory.

The promotion, even celebration, of average is the norm for the youth of American society.  Generally, most middle school through high school students lack motivation to truly learn, experience knowledge, and apply themselves.  The mindset now is one of “getting by.”  Students often perform under or just up to the required scholastic standards.  It’s actually a scary prospect if we take a step back and look at this.  I urge you not to immediately and belligerently cry foul and defend your age group but listen to the assertions.

Excellence is discouraged by peers.  Those who are not gifted with intellect or are too lazy to apply themselves scoff at those who do.  This has been a recurring theme in every generation to attend school.  We see it in the old ’50s movies, where the dumb brute makes the smart nerd do his homework.  We see it in the ’70s and beyond where the smart guy stays behind while the popular kids race off in their fancy cars with the insensitive jocks laughing at the poor fellow working ahead.  Now in the 21^st century we’re faced with the same problem: being smart is not cool.  Those who are blessed with intellectual talents or even just the desire to work hard at something are put down by the rest of middle/high school society.  Many capable people often abandon their pursuit of excellence to become one of the group, cool, and accepted.

For one to break the bonds of average and rise above mediocreville is something actually looked down upon.  If one is seen working ahead in homework during free time, he is questioned by the group of guys asking, “Why are you doing that?  I didn’t do that and neither should you.  Do you think you’re better than us?”  Excellence is looked on as a fluke and is often shied away from because of the criticism that follows.  People gifted in a certain area, say dancing, singing, musical instruments or even writing, are seen through jealous eyes.  That’s where the real root of the problem is.  Jealousy is what fuels the lazy to ridicule the industrious.  Compliments of talents today are even very discreetly backhanded.  In response to excellence people say, “That’s crazy, man.  That’s insane/ridiculous.  You’re too good.”  These compliments, if one looks at the real meaning, are said as beneficial statements, but at the same time let the one who is excelling know he stands alone in that area.

Many intellectual or excellent events such as Model UN and Boys/Girls State used to be a place where only the smart kids went.  Why would anyone who’s “worth something” go to one of these seminars?  The answer today is, it’s all about the résumé.  Average students toward the end of their high school career are realizing college is the key to success.  Not that they want to go to get a real education; they go only to graduate and have a solid, decent-paying job.  Their goal now is to attend esteemed organizations college interviewers look favorably upon, just to put it on the résumé.  I know this when I attended both mentioned programs: this type of person made up the majority of the attendees.  For example at Model UN, people did not want to contribute to the program in any way; they just wanted to be there and get credit for it.  They sat at the back of the room, joked with each other the entire time, and made fun of those who actually wanted to excel in the organization.  It eventually turned into a social and hook up time for the guys and girls attending.  An important and helpful program has been downgraded to another bullet on the résumé.

A mindset like this that inhibits creativity could present a more grave consequence in the future.  When our generation is grown and produces the then-current decision makers in politics and economics, this way of thinking could be detrimental.  If Americans in the years to come are lax in policies and don’t pursue innovations and new ideas, then America will lose her world dominance.  Our economy is bad enough as it is.  Picture American society comprised of men and women who just didn’t care.  The Model UN people are now adults.  If they continue down the “I don’t care” path, then what type of country will we live in?  A country that has shifted from a booming industrial and creative culture to a lazy, self-serving, average culture.  For an entire society to lose the passion and will to compete, strive, and pursue the unknown is shattering.  Many European countries have lost this very will: Greece is almost a third-world country, any Eastern European country is almost unheard of, and Italy is near bankruptcy.  It’s disheartening to see any once great country fall, but they should serve as warnings to America not to be average.

It all starts with us.  We need to ignore the naysayers and avidly pursue a career and way of thinking that inspires creativity and industry.  The day we stop is the day our country falls down the slippery slope.  Continue to excel and rise above the curse of average.