MY HYPOTHESIS--

Today’s standard of excellence is mediocrity.

(Note: This posting introduces a new segment on the blog. In recent years I have observed a decline in the quality of many products, services, and performance in general. Postings under this title from time to time will explore this hypothesis. The following is but a very ordinary example.)

I ate at a local Arby’s recently and ordered a beef and cheddar combo. The sandwich came garnished with un-ordered, chewy bacon. There was more cheese on the paper wrapper than on the beef. The sauce covered one third of the meat. The sandwich was warm--sort of.

Now, I ask you, how hard is it to deliver a correct, properly heated and neatly garnished fast food order?

My mediocre treatment certainly was not the result of their being busy. There was only one other couple eating in the place at that lunchtime.

Maybe I now know why.