Flaubert once wrote A Dictionary of Common Opinions, in which he jokingly listed the mediocre views of the "majority" people prevailing in French society in the 9th century. This is undoubtedly a blow to the mediocrity, and at the same time let us see his decisive attitude of refusing mediocrity.

Many of the entries are still instructive to today's society, such as "coffee-making people smart". Drink a dictionary without sugar-that's for the ignorant. " Many people are adhering to such mediocre social views and living as mediocre as most people.

there must be such people around us. Even if they become "card slaves", they should use luxury goods, and even if they become "house slaves", they should have a fixed address. They may live like an advertisement or a successful study, but there is no denying that they live a mediocre life.

Rejecting mediocrity is not blindly following the trend of the times, nor deliberately contradicting the public's understanding, but living soberly, recognizing one's own heart, maintaining an independent personality and maintaining the spirit of freedom. Just like the hero in The Moon and Sixpence, he followed his inner guidance and pursued his own dreams, but gave up what people thought was a "good job", came to Paris alone, overcame his illness, and finally exiled himself to an island, creating famous paintings that shocked the world. He was not satisfied with sixpence on the ground, but pursued the bright moon in his heart, rejected mediocrity and realized his pursuit.

of course, it is difficult to reject mediocrity and conform to your heart. Even Han Han, a maverick, can't easily refuse mediocrity. He once made a rule of "12 No", such as no signing, no endorsement, no business, etc., but we still saw such advertisements as "I am not a flag bearer, I am me, I am Han Han". In his repeated apologies to readers, we saw his helplessness.

Writers are always the most sensitive to this. The image of "helping the idle" in Lu Xun's works proves that a revolutionary like Xia Yu has shed blood and sacrificed. In Nabokov's Cloud Shadow Castle Lake Light, a passenger who didn't want to get involved in group activities but wanted to enjoy the beautiful scenery alone was interfered and assimilated by other passengers, and was finally beaten to death. These writers are keenly aware that in order for more people to successfully reject mediocrity, it is necessary for society to tolerate more dissent.

I think the social environment is important, but if you want to have your own solo space on the edge of the chorus of the times, you still need to refuse the mediocre choice. Not blindly following the crowd or deliberately touching the lamella may be the best attitude to reject mediocrity.