Why Is The Average Approaching 3.5

Ever noticed how everything seems to be hovering around a 3.5 these days? Not just in school (though, yeah, definitely in school!), but in, like, everything? It's like the universe has a default setting: "Meh, 3.5 sounds about right."

Think about it. You ask a friend to rate that new pizza place? "Yeah, it was okay. I'd give it a...3.5." Your coworker's new haircut? "Cute! Maybe a... 3.5?" Even that fancy coffee you waited in line for seemed, well, predictably… 3.5 stars-ish.

What's going on here? Are we all just becoming incredibly average? Or is there something more to this mysterious 3.5 phenomenon?

The "Good Enough" Effect

I think a big part of it comes down to the "good enough" effect. We live in a world of infinite choices. Streaming services, restaurants, potential dates... It's overwhelming! So, our brains get tired of agonizing over every little decision. We subconsciously settle for what seems "good enough" to avoid decision fatigue.

Imagine you're scrolling through Netflix. Do you really want to spend an hour reading reviews and trailers to find the perfect movie? Nah. You'll probably just pick something that looks vaguely interesting, and if it's just "okay," you're not gonna riot. You'll mentally log it as a 3.5-star experience and move on. Life's too short to be disappointed by everything, right?

It's like that saying, "Don't let perfect be the enemy of good." Except in this case, it's more like, "Don't let perfect be the enemy of '3.5-ish'."

The Algorithm Army

Another sneaky culprit? Algorithms. Those little digital overlords are everywhere, subtly shaping our preferences and pushing us towards the middle of the road.

Think about how recommendations work. They're based on what other people liked. And what do most people like? Well, things that are generally appealing and non-offensive. So, algorithms tend to steer us towards the safe, predictable, and ultimately… 3.5-star experiences.

It's like being on a dating app. The algorithm sees you like hiking and dogs, so it shows you profiles of people who also like hiking and dogs. Great! But are you necessarily going to find your soulmate that way? Probably not. You're more likely to find someone who's... adequately compatible. Someone you'd probably rate a 3.5 on a first date (before the awkward small talk and the realization that they chew with their mouth open, of course).

These algorithms are designed to please the most people, and to do that, they need to serve up the lowest common denominator. The delicious, lukewarm, perfectly acceptable 3.5 experience.

The Curse of High Expectations

Maybe, just maybe, we're also a little jaded. We've been bombarded with so much hype and marketing that our expectations are ridiculously high.

Remember that time you waited months for the new iPhone, only to discover it was... pretty much the same as the old one? Or that super-hyped restaurant that turned out to be just… overpriced?

When something is built up to be the best thing ever, it's almost impossible for it to live up to the hype. So, even if it's actually quite good, we're still left feeling a little underwhelmed. And that translates to a 3.5-star rating. "Yeah, it was fine. But it wasn't life-changing."

It is the internet effect. Where everything can be reviewed, criticised, and compared. Thus, the expectation is always higher, and harder to fulfill.

Social Media and the Illusion of Perfection

And let's not forget social media. Everyone's posting their highlight reel, making it seem like their lives are a constant stream of amazing experiences. This can lead to a sense of dissatisfaction with our own perfectly normal, 3.5-star lives.

If you're constantly seeing pictures of your friends backpacking through Europe or eating Michelin-star meals, your own movie night with takeout pizza might seem a little… lackluster. Even if the pizza is pretty darn good, you'll probably still mentally downgrade it because it doesn't measure up to the illusion of perfection you see online.

The Power of Perspective (or Lack Thereof)

Sometimes, the 3.5 isn't about the thing itself, but about our own state of mind. Are you tired? Stressed? Distracted? If so, even a truly excellent experience might get shortchanged.

I once went to a concert by my favorite band, but I was so exhausted from a long day at work that I barely enjoyed it. Objectively, the concert was probably amazing. But subjectively, it was just… fine. A solid 3.5. (I blame my sleep-deprived brain, not the band!).

Context also matters. A burger might be 4.5 stars after a grueling hike, but it will be 2.5 stars after visiting a luxurious buffet.

Is 3.5 Really So Bad?

Here's the thing: a 3.5 isn't necessarily a bad thing. It's the land of "perfectly acceptable," "decent," and "not terrible." And honestly, in a world of constant striving and pressure to be amazing, there's something kind of comforting about mediocrity.

Imagine if everything was a 5-star experience. You'd be constantly overwhelmed! You wouldn't be able to appreciate the truly exceptional moments because everything would be competing for your attention.

The 3.5s provide a baseline, a sense of normalcy against which we can measure the truly great things in life. They're the quiet moments of contentment, the uneventful evenings, the okay-ish coffees that allow us to savor the truly extraordinary experiences when they come along.

Plus, let's be real, sometimes a 3.5 is exactly what you need. You don't always need a life-altering experience. Sometimes you just need a perfectly acceptable cup of tea and a mindless TV show to unwind after a long day. And that's perfectly okay!

Embrace the 3.5

So, the next time you find yourself rating something a 3.5, don't despair. Don't think you're becoming boring or that the world is losing its magic. Just accept it as part of the human experience.

Embrace the 3.5. It's the sound of everyday life humming along, quietly and predictably. It's the background noise against which the truly special moments shine.

And who knows? Maybe by lowering our expectations and embracing the "good enough," we can actually find more joy in the simple, everyday things. Maybe the key to happiness isn't chasing 5-star experiences, but appreciating the perfectly acceptable 3.5s that make up the majority of our lives. Or, at the very least, we can find humor in the ubiquity of the 3.5 rating, and that's a win in itself!

Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go watch a 3.5-star movie and enjoy a 3.5-star sandwich. It's going to be… just fine.

A Funny Anecdote To Close Us Out

I was once asked to review a brand new type of dish soap. I used it, and it cleaned the dishes. Was it revolutionary? No. Did it smell amazing? No. Did it get the job done? Yes. I gave it a 3.5. The company was furious!

They called me, asking what it needed to be a 5. Did it need to sing opera? Did it need to do my dishes? Did it need to be a romantic partner?

I replied with utmost sincerity, "No. It just needed to be more than... adequate."

And that, my friends, is the curse of the 3.5. It's not bad, it's just... not exceptional. But hey, maybe that's okay.