Conversation

Replying to
Part 5 of my Mediocratopia series covers this phenomenon in detail. I use the colloquial Americanism for “calculated mediocrity” popular in some work subcultures for this: sandbagging. This is probably the most serious part in what’s now a 12-parter.
1
15
A reply to OT proposes that calculated mediocrity is another term for “work to rule.” This is incorrect. As I explain in the article, precisely hitting a declared target performance level reveals too much about surplus capability. You have to over/undershoot sandbagged target bit
1
9
I’m genuinely fascinated by the phenomenology of mediocrity. It’s not just something I’ve thought about for brand reasons. I’d even think about it on a desert island.
1
15
Show replies
Replying to
I've been practicing what I call "Selective underperformance" for things I don't want to do for most of my adult life. It started when I was newly married and my wife wanted me to 'fix things' around our new house. Afterward, she never asked me to 'fix' anything again.
Diy Drilling GIF
GIF
1
6
Show replies