“If everyone is special, then no one is.”
– Mr. Incredible, from The Incredibles

The movie The Incredibles had a running theme of the extraordinary and the common, and the Harrison Bergeron effect that happens when we try to make everyone “special.” The villain of the film had a goal where everyone could be made “super” so that…no one was.

There was some world domination stuff in there, too, but that doesn’t fit this blog post.

I’ve noticed the abuse of the standing ovation. I was under the impression that the standing ovation was used for extraordinary performances or speakers. It has become, at least in my experience, something now expected. Both at the symphony and at a recent awards banquet, people have stood to their feet following performances or speeches by people who did a good job, but nothing that was likely deserving of a standing ovation.

A great performance deserves hearty applause.

An extraordinary performance, the likes of which will rarely be seen, deserves a standing ovation.

When the crowd is slow to get to their feet for a standing ovation, begrudgingly taking part because some other people stood up and there’s an undercurrent of guilt…it’s likely not standing ovation  material.

“Standing ovations used to be a sign of extreme excellence,” I told my friend after a recent event in which repeated standing ovations occurred for no real reason. It was ridiculous, spurred on by family members who no doubt thought their family member, who was being honored, was the greatest person ever. “The standing ovation was the epitome of the bravo. Now that we’ve made it normal, what do we use to distinguish truly amazing performances or people?”

“Nothing. We’ve topped out.”

There’s nothing wrong with doing your best and getting a good round of applause only. At least no one booed. Not every person and every moment is deserving of a standing ovation.

We can’t all be the best in the room.