Tuesday, April 3, 2012

The Perks of Fitting In

Most people have, at some point, wanted to be above average in some way or other. In school days, we want to popular. We want to excel at sports that we play. Or we want to acheive academic distinction. For the writers among us, we dream of best-sellerdom. (Btw, best-seller in Japanese is "long-seller," in Japanese-English pronunciation.)

Truth is, all that glitters isn't gold and there are some perks to being part of the pack.

1. YOUR CLOTHES DON'T HAVE TO MATCH

When you're a leader, academically, politically, literaturally?/literally? (lol), etc, everybody watches your every move.You always have to be on your game. This post came to me as yet another, "what were they thinking?" article popped up, talking about celebrity outfits. I couldn't help thinking that the press would have a field day with me if I were ever that famous.

Top tier people always have to be well put together. And it's not just clothes. You're not allowed to get angry in public. You can't just say something stupid. You can't have a bad day.

But we can.

2. A BAR SO LOW, YOU CAN'T LIMBO UNDER IT

Success raises the bar. Average people have moderate success levels. I remember once I tried to study for my CXC's with a neighbour. He didn't put that much effort in, and I got frustrated and asked him why he wouldn't work. And he gave me a weird and warped bit of wisdom.

"Noone has any expectations for me, whatever I do will be fantastic."
3. NOBODY WANTS TO SEE YOU FALL

To trespass into rap mogul territory, there are a lot more haters when you're on top. There are always people ready to point out your shortcomings. Sometimes there are even some who will actively aim for your destruction.

WRAP IT UP

These are some reasons I think it's great being "average." How about you guys? Do you think these are perks? Can you think of any other perks?

3 comments:

Unknown said...

lol To mediocrity! Sadly, I see the wisdom in this philosophy... : )

EJ

Elana Johnson said...

Oh, these are definite perks. No one cares that I only wear makeup on Sundays. I mean, seriously.

Asia Morela said...

I know! That's why I am terrified of fame. Luckily, I think it's possible to be a rather successful writer without being harassed the way other types of artists would be. Writers also don't work with their bodies, so they don't get scrutinized or judged for their physique (as) much.

I see it more in terms of job type. For example, as a teacher, don't you feel like you have to uphold a certain standard? Personally, I have given up on ever becoming a teacher because I think I write too much about sex on the Internet. As a fiction writer, even if I ever get "famous", I feel that people won't care if I swear, or if I express some politically incorrect opinions. They may even take them more seriously.