How does society influence people, settling for mediocrity or striving for excellence? Why?

Answer 1

I believe that it is more so the environment that you are raised in and not "society" as a whole.
If you are from an affluent up bringing you will most likely have the funds and time to go to college and maintain that life style.

If you are raised poor you will most likely not have the funds and time do to having to work full time from an early age.

Answer 2

Society can influence people like Audrey H, who think everybody is looking for a check from the Gov. I've grown up in a middle class suburban predominately Black community ( I am Latina ). The majority of which were two parent homes. Why don't you see these communities, which there are many; on your nightly new cast ? The media wants to portray certain people as poor , criminal or beggars. I worked with a lot of dump mediocre and lazy , lets just say non-Minorities. Some of the people actually thought they were better off then they actually were. I grew up in a neighborhood three times better then theirs but they would never believe it due to media mind control. F'em. Let sleeping dogs lay. Think outside the box and keep raising to the top.

Answer 3

I think we as a society have settled for mediocrity, because it has become politically correct to do so.
Our schools have lowered standards on entrance exams, and so have employers lowered their standards, because too many people, have not taken advantage of whatever education they can get, but expect top dollar for entrance jobs, or jobs they aren't truly qualified to do. and too many parents aren't expecting what they know their children are capable of learning. We call them underachievers, when they are just too lazy to do the best they can do.
If we as parents don't inspire our children, to do their best, and leave everything up to overworked underpaid teacher, and professors, then we get what we deserve: But then don't cry discrimination, if our children fail as adults.
Japanese parents expect the best from there children, and generally get it, that's why they are surpassing us as a nation.
Our nation will fall, not from without, but from within.

Answer 4

Depends on the individual. Most common in society I notice settling. People don't wanna work but want to get cut a check from the gov't. Then they get mad because the Republicans represent the rich man.....well that rich man or someone in his family WORKED hard for that money! People seem to be numb to their surroundings, in America we get used to having clean water and roads to drive on....that is all a privilege!!

Answer 5

I think it is a metaphor for "Competition"...when the competition is fierce; we must excel to make ourselves stand out. Less competition...less drive to excel. We often accept mediocrity in a stressed out world. We expect great things from great people...and when they don't measure up to our perceptions of them; they are perceived as "fallen heroes." They seem to be measured by a greater standard than the average person. The more you put yourself "out there" the more is expected of you. It seems to raise the bar for all of us...and therefore isn't always appreciated. It is human nature to measure our performance by another. I was taught that if it was worth doing; then it was worth doing well. Doing something well for the sake of doing it can bring personal satisfaction.

Answer 6

Settling for mediocricy because now we give awards for everything. We also teach kids it doesn't matter if you win or lose it's how you play the game. Bull

Answer 7

conformity vs. despotism, believe it or not.