Easy mediocrity

I think one of the largest issues in American thought is that of mediocrity.  The thing that makes mediocrity so appealing is its ease and acceptability.  The predominant mentality in our current culture is the importance and necessity of entertainment.  Most people work the forty hour week and then demand a steady stream of entertainment, in whatever form.
The problem with this kind of mindset is the resultant quick and easy form that entertainment takes.
People have worked their forty hours and subsequently desire an easy, unchallenging and effortless distraction.  In a world of supply and demand, the end result is pop culture.  This is automatically defined as mediocrity.  Obviously, there are exceptions to this, but in general, people want an easy distraction that can be consumed and then thrown away, only to be replaced by the next thing, moments later.
We see this mentality coming into nearly every area of life.  And this is a tragedy.  We don't see architecture, art, music, films, etc etc of excellence any more.  Instead we are immersed in the trite, the inane, the over commercialized and the disposable.
It's a sad thing to realize that you have settled for the mediocre.  Give it a thought.