If you have not exposed yourself to the Multitude, you know nothing about people. Your little circle is not good enough, nor sufficient enough to give you a taste of "people".
Love in the age of Mediocrity can only be known if you are capable of wearing several hats...can only be known by testing reactions, assuming different personas, using different masks...only then can you really find out...
It's not a show, just a strategy...for the purpose of learning.
In the age of Mediocrity people will only love you (approve of you) if you reflect back to them their own mediocrity...
It means in effect, several things : not rocking the boat, upholding the status quo, immersing yourself in their daily pettiness, confining yourself to their square boxes, mincing your words, coloring them in pastel colors, or better still swallowing them, avoid talking about real issues, real concerns, no questioning, wear satin gloves with the fake smile that goes with it, manage egos that smell of rotten eggs, turn a blind eye, play dumb, not call a spade a spade, forget the names of things, minimize events, deny anything is wrong, enable the continuation of the comedy, carefully chose sentences, keep any affect to a strict minimum, adopt a jovial predisposition, stay upbeat, pretend all is fine, don't argue, don't refuse, don't rebel, downplay their ignorance, lies, deceptions, stupidity, find excuses, rationalizations, be nice, feign interest and excitement at their trivialities, play deaf, overlook the obvious, make them laugh, be a sweetie, be there for them - no matter what, look enthusiastic about their empty projects, make their hollowness music to your ears, dig hard and deep for that little spark inside of them, while telling yourself they've got something special, frown upon all criticisms and censor yours, be the good one who accepts them as they are even in you feel like you're drowning in their shallowness, be the same, similar, never different...
Only then will you be considered the jolly good fellow, the lovable one, in their Age of Mediocrity.
