Even bright people are still slightly bothered when they sense that they are not entirely "normal". This is probably the single most harmful delusion that psychiatry has given us. By "normal" they can never mean anything more than "average" — for the simple reason that they have no theory of man, no understanding of what man is, should be, or may ultimately become. They are neither philosophers, wonderers, or even in many cases particularly intelligent. Instead of investigating important questions, they merely rely on the simplest possible assumptions that make their project easy to promote and excuse. As a result they end of making determinations such as, "The degree to which Amy fell in love with Zac is, unfortunately, not normal."

What is their project, exactly? To earn a livelihood, to pay back their medical school loans, to afford alimony. These folks are not humanity's leaders and teachers, people! This a class of bizarrely tolerated social parasites skimming extra cash from those foolish enough to waste it on snake oil. And they have a well-documented heritage, starting but not ending with the sophists of Ancient Greece.

My view of how we should cope with human nature is exactly the opposite of theirs. If I am in any measure "average", it is merely a random coincidence that should only interest a numerologist. I am concerned only with exploiting my talents and ameliorating my problems. Where I seem "better than average", I try to use my superiority to lead and teach those less fortunate. Where I seem "below average", I try to learn and follow the example of my betters. This is where we grow. This is where life happens.