Average

.
Who ever came up with the concept of average? Americans have been fascinated with averages the last 50 or so years. So fascinated in fact that we don't even realize what it is all about.

It's all over us. Average height, age, ability, income, intelligence, speed, temperature, eyesight, weight, rainfall, etc, etc. It's about being normal. Where everyone is the same. Where we are encouraged to be alike, and discouraged from being different. In the 50 percentile. Sort of like socialism.

But what if something is better than average? A better than average batting average make millions of dollar difference in a baseball player's salary. A better than average return average makes your stock broker a whiz. If you are taller than average you have a greater chance of dunking a basketball. If you are smarter than average you could be a genius. If you make more money than average you are considered rich. If the area you live is better than average in rainfall and temperature, it might be a paradise. If you drive faster than the average you might get there sooner.

What's the downside? If your test scores are below average you might be a dumb ass. Or if your income is lower than average you might be poor. If you weigh less than most everyone else, you might be too thin. If you die before the average life expectancy, you might have been unhealthy. If it does not rain where you live it could be considered a dust bowl. And if you drive slower that the average you could get a ticket.

So, what is the point with determining averages? Is it because you want to be average? To do what everyone else is doing? To look like they do? To be as smart as everyone else? To have what they have? To never be called fat or skinny? Or not to be called tall or short? Or to not be looked upon as smart or dumb?

Most Americans like just being average. In the middle fifty. Normal range. They never want to stand out in any way. March with the rest of the ducks. Blend into the group. But some, not so. They want to stand out. They prefer to be the life of the party. The drunkest one there. The smartest in the class. The sexiest. The best dresser. Or the fastest in the race.

Just an average Thought from the Dock.
.