A society develops when every member is able to realize their potential. For each member to realize thier potential they should be able to have self esteem and sense of worthiness which is very much linked to rootedness of culture. It is only when this rootedness is seen as that which will bring him/her a secure and desired future that the link is strengthened, in the process paves the way for realization of self and hence once potential in the area-profession, one chooses. The key therefore is aspiration rooted in surrounding -culture (which is in a sense extension of egalitarian values over the ages, also necessarily means open to new ideas). This rootedness is broken when there is a mismatch between the aspiration context of elite section and the common people. This is accentuated in cases wherein the elite look outside, that is alien culture, for their progress or salvation also have degrading attitude for local. Since the common people have a tendency to search their reference point in elite this leads to sense of uprootedness with ‘progress’, hence they are not able to contribute to their potential, as extraneous factors gain significance, and hence mediocrity.
Language is a significant aspect of connecting with surrounding, culture and tradition. If we look around the world wherever there is common language between the elite of society and common people they have progressed faster, meaning, people were able to tap their potential and hence a dynamic society. The case of Japan, China, France, USA, Britain, Germany, Korea… to take few examples. Since the aspiration is not tagged on to superficialities of language, people focus more on the content and ideas (ofcourse this not to negate other lifestyle superficialities associated with elite in all societies!). Take also the example of societies where there is a divide between the language of elite and common people like the countries in South Asia, Africa or South America….there is a clear demarcation in these societies, and almost all outcome of colonialism or other invasions. To make the case clear let me give the examples of native people like Indians in American continent or aborigines in Australasia, although English speakers have achieved much in last few decades the common people of the region lag behind, studies show more people suicide or take drug among them. There clearly is a loss of rootedness and hence less valued. This is precisely the reason for overwhelming mediocrity in India in almost all fields most glaring being that of Media. Thus majority of people spend more time to better themselves or aspire to be like the substandard elite- whose claims are very much hinged on the aspirations associated with language (that is English previously Sanskrit).
This is one of the major reasons for mediocrity of most societies around the world where such distinctions exists. India is a case study for the world but India’s case is worsened due to overpopulation, poverty and traditional systemic biases, add to this nepotism and corruption, so although we come across some incredible people in our daily life in commonest of places but they will never make it to the top since the system (necessarily a creation of insecure elite) prevents or appropriately asks for competence in superficialities. The superficialities in most case is lifestyle expectation of elite from common people which is also meant to degrade or demean their surrounding and connections, hence esteem or worth, so the core is lost thus we celebrate mediocrity. The mediocrity of India has to do with very substandard elite, a necessary outcome of the system which this blogger attempts to explain.
Post Script: This theory may not work with first generation immigrants to any country particularly developed countries, since their aspiration context is entirely different.
Language is a significant aspect of connecting with surrounding, culture and tradition. If we look around the world wherever there is common language between the elite of society and common people they have progressed faster, meaning, people were able to tap their potential and hence a dynamic society. The case of Japan, China, France, USA, Britain, Germany, Korea… to take few examples. Since the aspiration is not tagged on to superficialities of language, people focus more on the content and ideas (ofcourse this not to negate other lifestyle superficialities associated with elite in all societies!). Take also the example of societies where there is a divide between the language of elite and common people like the countries in South Asia, Africa or South America….there is a clear demarcation in these societies, and almost all outcome of colonialism or other invasions. To make the case clear let me give the examples of native people like Indians in American continent or aborigines in Australasia, although English speakers have achieved much in last few decades the common people of the region lag behind, studies show more people suicide or take drug among them. There clearly is a loss of rootedness and hence less valued. This is precisely the reason for overwhelming mediocrity in India in almost all fields most glaring being that of Media. Thus majority of people spend more time to better themselves or aspire to be like the substandard elite- whose claims are very much hinged on the aspirations associated with language (that is English previously Sanskrit).
This is one of the major reasons for mediocrity of most societies around the world where such distinctions exists. India is a case study for the world but India’s case is worsened due to overpopulation, poverty and traditional systemic biases, add to this nepotism and corruption, so although we come across some incredible people in our daily life in commonest of places but they will never make it to the top since the system (necessarily a creation of insecure elite) prevents or appropriately asks for competence in superficialities. The superficialities in most case is lifestyle expectation of elite from common people which is also meant to degrade or demean their surrounding and connections, hence esteem or worth, so the core is lost thus we celebrate mediocrity. The mediocrity of India has to do with very substandard elite, a necessary outcome of the system which this blogger attempts to explain.
Post Script: This theory may not work with first generation immigrants to any country particularly developed countries, since their aspiration context is entirely different.
