# Excellence and mediocrity of intent **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [November 26, 2003, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335 "2003-11-26T06:06:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![ExecutiveJesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a6a055/32.png) [@ExecutiveJesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExecutiveJesus)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/1 "2003-11-26T06:06:11Z")
There are two forms of mediocrity: mediocrity of intent, and mediocrity of result. Mediocrity of result may always be a function of non-controllable externals; it is always needed to know the context in which the mediocre results occurred. Mediocre results are not always a function of mediocre intent. Mediocrity of intent, however, is unforgivable. Mediocrity of intent is a damnable offense in my world. Mediocrity of intent gives me the right to despise you. Mediocrity of intent is easy to smell. It infects every aspect of behaviour - manners, hygiene, diet, exercise, sex life, financial stability - everything. And, on a message board, excellence (the antithesis of mediocrity) has certain obvious minimum standards - properly spelled words, complete sentences, logical grammar and syntax, the ability to accurately convey humor or scorn; some thought will have obviously gone into - or not gone into - any given post. If you possess the intent to excel, you have my earned respect, even if I hate you and disagree with everything you say. I’d be proud to call you my enemy! If you are mediocre at heart, and can’t be bothered to give your communications the effort they deserve, then you’ve earned my contempt, even if we agree on everything. I don’t want to know you! Any thoughts? ---
**Author:** ![Shalmanese](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shalmanese](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shalmanese)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 11:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/2 "2003-11-26T11:06:56Z")
People only have a finite amount of “intent” so ultimately it falls down to a cost benifit analysis. While its all very well and good to spout off lines like “always try your best at everything” sometimes a halfassed job serves the purpose equally as well and allows me to focus my intent on more important things. The respect you give me ultimately isn’t worth all that much in the end so why should I try so hard? ---
**Author:** ![mrsam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/b5ac83/32.png) [@mrsam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mrsam)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 11:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/3 "2003-11-26T11:10:20Z")
> [@](#): > > And, on a message board, excellence (the antithesis of mediocrity) has certain obvious minimum standards - properly spelled words, complete sentences, logical grammar and syntax, the ability to accurately convey humor or scorn; some thought will have obviously gone into - or not gone into - any given post. You misspelled offence in your post and you overused commas. Was it a lack of thought on your behalf or just sheer mediocrity? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![SentientMeat](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/43a26b/32.png) [@SentientMeat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SentientMeat)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 11:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/4 "2003-11-26T11:40:40Z")
Chil owt, d00d. ---
**Author:** ![jatfield](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/59ef9b/32.png) [@jatfield](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jatfield)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/5 "2003-11-26T12:42:17Z")
Mediocrity is energy-effective. 😃 And halfassed is half-assed. ---
**Author:** ![DSYoungEsq](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/c6cbf5/32.png) [@DSYoungEsq](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DSYoungEsq)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/6 "2003-11-26T13:59:17Z")
“Offence” is a variant of “offense.” Since the Latin form was _offensa_, pretty clearly the preferred spelling would utilize an “s”. As to the OP, I would simply point out that some 2000 years ago, by legend at least, a man died for pointing out that it isn’t particularly valuable to society to hold people in contempt, to despise people, or to hate people. Seems some people really don’t understand the message, even if they appropriate the man’s name. As to the underlying concept, that one should not post poorly written, poorly thought-out posts, I would think that each of us should hold ourselves to whatever standard we feel comfortable with. Some of us will be more exacting in our standards for ourselves, others will be more relaxed in approach. It is, after all, the actuality of communication that determines the success of the effort; a poorly spelled post may communicate a well reasoned assertion. Those who pour contempt upon such a post, and ignore the message’s content for its form, will fail to receive the communication; this may and or may not bother the person making the assertion. And, frankly, as demonstrated repeatedly in this forum, tone of a post can have as much effect upon its effectiveness, a lesson the original poster might keep in mind. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Papermache\_Prince](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/f05b48/32.png) [@Papermache\_Prince](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Papermache_Prince)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 2:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/7 "2003-11-26T14:39:32Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ExecutiveJesus \* > \*\*There are two forms of mediocrity: mediocrity of intent, and mediocrity of result. > > Mediocrity of result may always be a function of non-controllable externals; it is always needed to know the context in which the mediocre results occurred. Mediocre results are not always a function of mediocre intent. > > Mediocrity of intent, however, is unforgivable. Mediocrity of intent is a damnable offense in my world. Mediocrity of intent gives me the right to despise you. > > Mediocrity of intent is easy to smell. It infects every aspect of behaviour - manners, hygiene, diet, exercise, sex life, financial stability - everything. > > And, on a message board, excellence (the antithesis of mediocrity) has certain obvious minimum standards - properly spelled words, complete sentences, logical grammar and syntax, the ability to accurately convey humor or scorn; some thought will have obviously gone into - or not gone into - any given post. > > If you possess the intent to excel, you have my earned respect, even if I hate you and disagree with everything you say. I’d be proud to call you my enemy! > > If you are mediocre at heart, and can’t be bothered to give your communications the effort they deserve, then you’ve earned my contempt, even if we agree on everything. I don’t want to know you! > > Any thoughts? \*\* Sure. Since this seems to be all about you and not a Great Debate, it should be posted in the Mundane Pointless Stuff I Must Share forum. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 2:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/8 "2003-11-26T14:49:59Z")
**EJ** : Arrogance is rarely admired or tolerated in GD. You might have better luck in the BBQ Pit. Enjoy. ---
**Author:** ![Squink](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/b5e925/32.png) [@Squink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Squink)\ **Post date:** [November 26, 2003, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/9 "2003-11-26T15:11:05Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by John Mace \* > You might have better luck in the BBQ Pit. It wasn’t _that_ good an OP. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/10 "2003-11-28T02:43:53Z")
> [@](#): > > If you posess the intent to excel you have my earned respect, even if I hate you and disagree with everything you say. I’d be proud to call you my enemy We left the ruined city at dawn, gathering the meager knowledge we had salvaged into our packs and wagons. As we proceeded westward, I turned to gaze a last time upon the crumbling spires of the once mighty metropolis. What a glorious era, so long ago, when ignorance was deemed conquered for all time and knowledge was as plentiful as air and dirt. But ignorance had risen again and washed over this blasted land that had once been the SDMB, leaving the few remaining tribes to fight and die over the little knowledge left. And little it was too. Every post we had come across was rife with mis-spellings and atrocious grammer. But when I looked at the rag-tag and motely crew I led, I could think of little more they deserved. Not a man or woman among them could spell “stereoscopic” or “mezereon,” and the few posts they generated were full of dangling modifiers and improper uses of pluperfect verb forms. Had it been my choice I would have abandoned them all, and struck out for the west myself, with only my trusted armorer Lectoris–keeper of the sacred Webster’s new collegiate dictionary and the Chicago manual of Style–by my side. But I had sworn an oath on the graves of my ancestors to lead them to the western hills, where Cecil Adams himself is rumored to neither dead nor living lie. Where he awaits those who remember knowledge to raise him from his dreamless stasis. My reveries were interrupted by the sight of one of my scouts returning at full speed. I knew the lad, a boy more bright than most in my sorry horde. He reined his steed beside me and approached with a breathless and excited mien. “A post!” he cried, waving a piece of parchment, “a post such as I have never seen!” I took the parchment and read it. By god, the boy’s excitment was justified! Not a word in this post was mis-spelled. The argument it laid out was spun from flawless syllogistic reasoning, bolstered by rhetoric that would not have shamed Cicero, or Demosthenes. This could only have come from the keyboard of **ExecutiveJesus** himself. Ah, Executive Jesus! Long have I cursed the cruel fate that made us mortal enemies. Together we would have made an indomitable team and perhaps brought knowledge back to this benighted land. But it was not to be. Our differences in politics, religion and philosophy would keep us opposed till that one terrible day where we must meet in intellectual combat till only one remains. I know that when that day comes niether you nor I shall give or expect quarter. But I also know that whether it be you or I that leaves the field it shall be in sorrow, not in anger. Now more of my horde had gathered, curious as to the consternation. One fellow, more slack-jawed than most was staring at the post, moving his lips in a vain attempt to decipher its meaning. “Whut dood rote this” he mumbled “Why, thar aint no wurds made wrong and lookee here, he even got a semi-colon.” I could take no more. Swiftly I grabbed the ruffian by the throat. “You want to know who wrote this? I’ll tell you. A MAN wrote it! And…by God I wish I was with him!” (with apologies to Edgar Rice Burroughs and Sam Peckinpah) ---
**Author:** ![Grey](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/b782af/32.png) [@Grey](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grey)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/11 "2003-11-28T02:53:41Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by John Mace \* > \*\ ***EJ** : > > Arrogance is rarely admired or tolerated in GD. You might have better luck in the BBQ Pit. > > Enjoy. \*\* **EJ** may I introduce **[Aldebaran](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?s=&threadid=225634)** to you. I think you’ll get along swimmingly. ---
**Author:** ![jayjay](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jayjay/32/6765_2.png) [@jayjay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jayjay)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 3:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/12 "2003-11-28T03:20:06Z")
_places **Larry Borgia** on his list of posters to read more of_ ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 5:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/13 "2003-11-28T05:10:55Z")
I was going to write a detailed thoughtful response to this OP but… meh. ---
**Author:** ![Larry\_Borgia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/larry_borgia/32/156_2.png) [@Larry\_Borgia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Larry_Borgia)\ **Post date:** [November 28, 2003, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/14 "2003-11-28T16:56:49Z")
Thanks, **jayjay**! Most of my posts are pretty mediocre (ha!) but I was pleased with this one. (Which I have to admit was one of my motives in giving this thread a little bump. won’t do it again, mods.) ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2003, 3:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/15 "2003-11-30T03:41:40Z")
So, **EJ** creates this thread, then never posts in it again. I guess that’s medocrity of intent **and** mediocrity of result. ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2003, 4:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/16 "2003-11-30T04:16:31Z")
Indeed. I don’t necessarily disagree with some of the _sentiment_ in the OP. Anything worth doing should be worth doing well, after all. But to actively state a contempt of someone who doesn’t? That speaks of hubris. And in my experience that sort of hubris shows a _need_ to hold others in contempt for whatever reasons. Better by far to maintain a positive outlook on all people and all things. You may get burned from time to time…but you’ll enjoy life more. ---
**Author:** ![ExecutiveJesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a6a055/32.png) [@ExecutiveJesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExecutiveJesus)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2003, 6:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/17 "2003-11-30T06:06:38Z")
I’ve found no post, so far, on this thread that expresses an understanding of what I attempted to post. No fault of theirs. The subject, itself, requires many pages. I’d much rather this thread die, at this point. Unless I see something new. ---
**Author:** ![ExecutiveJesus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/a6a055/32.png) [@ExecutiveJesus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ExecutiveJesus)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2003, 8:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/18 "2003-11-30T08:00:36Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by John Mace \* > \*\ ***EJ** : > > Arrogance is rarely admired or tolerated in GD. You might have better luck in the BBQ Pit. > > Enjoy. \*\* Arrogance is tolerated here daily. Pretending not to see it is fuel. ---
**Author:** ![einstein\_s\_lovechild\_1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/e36b37/32.png) [@einstein\_s\_lovechild\_1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/einstein_s_lovechild_1)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2003, 9:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/19 "2003-11-30T09:11:30Z")
How will you be able to tell who is evoking “mediocrity of intent” and who is just a bit stoopid (but excelling to the best of his/her ability)? I know you said it is easy to tell, but it is hard to determine someone’s personal hygiene etc online. ---
**Author:** ![Joan\_of\_Argghh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/58956e/32.png) [@Joan\_of\_Argghh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joan_of_Argghh)\ **Post date:** [November 30, 2003, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335/20 "2003-11-30T15:32:25Z")
EJ abandons every thread he starts. His quest for logic, like everything else he brings up, is undefined, so he doesn’t know it when he sees it. It’s an amoeba-type of stimulus-response quest in “logic” drag. A poor imitation, but strangely fascinating! [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/excellence-and-mediocrity-of-intent/215335.md?page=2)