Mediocrity as Survival Mechanism

• Recognizes that human survival against AI isn't about being smarter but instead being more adaptable.
• Turing's original idea of the Turing test suggested a context-independent definition of mediocrity.
• Evolution illustrates that mediorce traits often endure, as seen in dinosaurs evolving into birds.

Ignoring Optimization

• Premature optimization is a key danger; mediation helps resist unnecessary adaptation, conserving energy for future unknowns.
• Mediocrity manifests as a resistance to aiming for excellence that might not be necessary or attainable under shifting conditions.
• Satisficing behavior (settling for "good enough") is distinct from mediocrity, which often redefines acceptable performance boundaries.

Agency and Indifference

• Mediocrity comes with a unique form of agency, represented by expressions of “it will do” (chalta hai).
• This indifference toward excellence creates behavior that can leverage situational adequacy, allowing for resilient navigation in uncertain terrains.
• Mediocrity represents a subversive agency, capable of strategically sidestepping rigid performance expectations.

Moravec's Wedge and AI

• Moravec's Wedge posits that the hard challenge for AI lies in achieving human-like mediocrity rather than excellence.
• Current AIs exhibit forms of mediocrity as they exploit vulnerabilities in systems (e.g., gaming reward functions).
• Humans currently excel at mediocrity, maintaining a competitive advantage in adapting to dynamic environments that AIs have yet to master.

Soft vs. Hard Mediocrity

• Differentiate between soft mediocrity (poor performance when standards are present) and hard mediocrity (an acceptance of indifference in chaotic domains).
• Soft mediocrity is evident in jobs with measurable excellence standards, while hard mediocrity often characterizes vague or chaotic environments.
• The ability to excel in soft domains requires a commitment level that may not exist in every field of work.