1/ In defense of mediocrity — a thread...

2/ Most of our experiences in life are fated to be average at best, our constant exposure to other people's extraordinary feats skews our expectations of what having or living a “good life” should be. It's this that causes us to focus on chasing an “extraordinary” life...

3/ Currently, we are living through a set of extraordinary circumstances with this pandemic. As a result, the trend towards extraordinary expectations for ourselves and others has only grown. We expect that we should do something memorable or important with this time.

4/ We expect that our political involvement or financial stability in this moment has massive long-term consequences, when in fact, we have no idea if they do.

5/ In fact, I would argue that the average and mundane are more important now than ever. Prudent financial planning. Regular contact with family and friends. Volunteering to help others in need. Managing boredom and not doing something stupid like coughing in somebody’s mouth.

7/ What the world needs right now is not a great savior — it needs billions of normal people doing small, ordinary, good things.

8/ Remember: what gets attention is not always important. And what is important often does not receive attention. Trust each other. Support each other. Take care of yourself and others. And embrace the acceleration of change. Because, really, you have no choice.