Mediocracy is Today's Flavor du Jour. Noureddine Boutahar

In this comically absurd world, there is an abundance of the intellectually challenged, the blinder-wearers, the unwitting pawns, and the brainwashed sheeple. These individuals are moved, controlled, and exploited by the unseen hands of  manipulations, social media, and “the mysterious divinities hidden behind the tabernacle”, in Gustave Le Bon’s words. Political, economic, media and academic arenas are transforming into absurd spectacles led by these mediocre mentalities, steadily advancing to seize more platforms and jeopardize the presence of discerning minds.

According to Oxford Languages Dictionary, mediocracy is defined as "a dominant class consisting of mediocre people or a system in which mediocrity is rewarded," where the absence of authenticity, creativity, and value is noticeable, and exudes an air of insignificance, contempt, and baseness. Its champions aim to weaken our values, beliefs, cultures, and traditions, leading societies to blindly embrace the appeal of the capitalist market economy through backing, approval, widespread dissemination, and media influence.

Socrates articulated it eloquently back in the days when he remarked on a man who confidently strutted, showcasing his clothes and stylish flair: "Speak, so I may see you." This implies that genuine value is not contingent upon external beauty or style. It does not rely on the mediocre content lacking depth, accuracy, and originality that individuals post on the Internet. True value lies in the substance of one's words, the authenticity of one's ideas, and one's streadfast attitude.

Today, however, mediocracy has taken hold of people's daily lives, claiming a significant share of their mental energy. The mediocre dedicate substantial time to debates over trivial matters like fashion trends, accessories, food, and the appeal of public figures. Global television and social media discussions further amplify these frivolous topics, engaging in debates about a dancer's legs, a singer's earrings, or a model's eyelashes. The mediocre have morphed into revered role models, "paper tigers" in Mao Zedong's words, posing a looming threat as mediocracy tightens its grip on the world.

How did the mediocre achieve this? According to the Canadian philosopher, Alain Deneault, “There was no Reichstag fire. No storming of the Bastille. No mutiny on the Aurora. Instead, the mediocre have seized power without firing a single shot. They rose to power on the tide of an economy where workers produce assembly-line meals without knowing how to cook at home, give customers instructions over the phone that they themselves don't understand, or sell books and newspapers that they never read.” Once unknown nobodies and fools now find themselves propelled into the limelight and fame, courtesy of contemporary media and social platforms that provide a stage for mediocracy to emerge, spreading from obscurity.

As Alain Deneault emphasized, mediocracy has become dominant, shaping societal culture with a cohort of mediocre media figures. This normalization has blurred the lines between corruption and innocence to the extent that virtue is seen as a punishable act, and vice is hailed as the ultimate virtue. Kindness is deemed foolish, while malice is paradoxically applauded as brilliance and intelligence.

The danger of mediocracy gaining ground and assembling more followers is that we draw nearer to what the French polymath, Gustave Le Bon, described as the sheep-like mentality of the crowd. Le Bon defined the crowd as a group of individuals united by a common idea, belief, or ideology. The idea which unites a crowd is not chosen by a process of clear reasoning and examination of evidence. Instead, crowds accept beliefs and ideas superficially and utilize them as fuel for revolutionary action. He says, “How numerous are the crowds that have heroically faced death for beliefs ideas and phrases that they scarcely understood.”

In addition, mediocre people are okay with doing the minimum and getting by without putting in enough effort. They avoid pushing limits, challenging norms, thinking creatively, or making extra efforts to achieve goals. They complete tasks but don't aim to stand out or make a big impression. They are content with being average, and as long as things work, they consider it a success. They also anticipate conformity from everyone, expecting individuals to follow the herd without questioning. Anyone who deviates is often unjustly labeled as foolish, a traitor, a turncoat, or a coward.

Another issue with mediocracy is its contagious nature. If one surrounds oneself with individuals who embody mediocracy, negativity, and contentment with average standards, it is likely to influence one to remain at that level. The environment plays a crucial role in shaping the quality and achievements of an individual. Jogging alongside people at one's pace maintains the same speed, preventing any upward movement beyond that average quality and mentality. According to Le Bon, when an individual becomes part of a crowd, he undergoes a profound psychological transformation that, “He is no longer himself but has become an automaton who has ceased to be guided by his will.”

One additional issue with the mediocres is their tendency to go through life wearing blinders. As the movie "Don't Look Up" exemplifies, the mediocre exhibit a lack of concern for matters of public importance. In the film, two astronomers attempt to warn humanity about an impending comet that poses a threat to civilization. Satirically, this warning is met with indifference from mediocre figures in government, politics, celebrities, and the media regarding the impending danger.

It's disheartening that we find ourselves in an era dominated by mediocracy and distraction, a time of deviating away from sound reasoning and higher values. This cultural shift has paved the way for the widespread proliferation of political and social corruption, the prevalence of ignorance, the dissemination of low-quality content, and the erosion of societal standards. There is no magic bullet, secret formula, or quick fix for breaking free from the clutches of mediocracy. It is a collective responsibility, echoing Jean-Paul Sartre's insight: "When we say that a person is responsible for oneself, we don't only mean that one is responsible for one's individuality, but also that one is responsible for all of humanity."

Regrettably, the trajectory towards the rise of mediocracy and the increasing influence of the mediocre provides little reason for optimism, at least in the foreseeable future. Thus, I can only echo the sentiment expressed by the Hadith: "Do as you please if you have no sense of shame."