So, tldr of my 2 immigration stories: I never self-essentialized as Indian or wog-Westerner, or as STEMMie doerist or HSS critical-theory supremacist.
This has been the reward for a spectacularly mediocre 22-year adult career along all conventional vectors of accomplishment.
Conversation
The consolation of mediocre success at life’s games around big prizes is an identity too small to obscure your view of where and how your feet are on the ground.
Immigration story #1 makes me incapable of ethnonationalist sentiment on *any* side that might accept me as a member.
2
9
Replying to
I don't get it. I've achieved less success than you, yet I don't have a worldview that idealizes mediocrity, *and* I'm not horribly sad about my failures. Success is actually hard! It's possible to admit you're not the best and also that it would be great if you were!
1
1
Replying to
I have no problem with that. I admire success, recognize that it is hard, recognize that it creates dark consequences/has a cost too.
I don’t idealize mediocrity. I just recognize it as a condition worth inhabiting as much as success. In fact, I think I prefer it to “success”.
2
1
Replying to
maybe you're reading a more specific meaning into "idealize" than I intended; I just mean you prefer mediocrity to success, praise mediocrity, etc.
1
1
Replying to
For the simple reason that it’s not entirely something you can choose not to be. Which means you have to learn to appreciate what it infact is instead of futile pining for other life conditions.
When the mediocre strive too hard to be “successful” they usually end up miserable.
1
1
Replying to
Yeah, I think that's our crux, I think most people (including myself) are way too quick to stop wanting things they think they can't have. At current margins, we could stand to dream bigger.
1
3
Replying to
A small subset — and that includes you —can and should.
This is tautological, but everybody takes the path of least resistance even if it looks like striving and success. Doing anything else would have been harder.
It is interesting you think I’m more successful than you 😂
1
2
I’m conceited enough to consider this an objective take — but you’re already more successful by both conventional and intrinsic/philosophical perspectives than I was at your age (I assume you’re about 8-10 years younger) and on current trajectory will likely peak far higher.
1
2
Replying to
I’ll remind you of this conversation when you’re looking down from your lofty heights of excellence at us mediocre proles in a couple of decades 🙂

