If there’s one thing we love as a society, it’s a good underdog story. And this tale of a double amputee who spent two weeks making their bed fits the bill perfectly. It’s the kind of heartwarming, feel-good story that news outlets salivate over. It’s also the kind of story that makes you question what qualifies as news these days, but that’s a different issue entirely.
For many, making the bed is a task that requires minimal effort—just a quick toss of the blankets, and you’re good to go. But for this intrepid individual, it became a test of endurance, patience, and determination. Each corner tucked, each pillow fluffed, each wrinkle smoothed out with the precision of a NASA engineer. It’s not every day you see bed-making turned into an Olympic-level event, but here we are.
Of course, in our rush to celebrate this achievement, we might overlook a few important details. Like, for instance, the fact that this person spent two weeks on a task that most people complete in 30 seconds. But who are we to judge? Maybe this is the kind of progress we need in today’s fast-paced world—slow, deliberate, and almost painfully methodical. Or maybe we just need to redefine what constitutes success.
Celebrating Mediocrity: The New American Dream?
In a society that celebrates every minor achievement as if it were a moon landing, the double amputee’s bed-making marathon has captured the public’s imagination. But it also raises an uncomfortable question: Are we now so starved for inspiration that we’re willing to celebrate even the most mundane of tasks? Is this what progress looks like in 2024? Have we reached a point where simply completing a basic chore, albeit under challenging circumstances, is hailed as a monumental achievement?
There was a time when success was measured by innovation, by discovery, by feats of strength or intellect. Now, it seems, we’re content to pat ourselves on the back for getting through the day without a meltdown. And while that may be understandable in today’s world, it also speaks to a broader cultural shift—one where the bar for greatness has been lowered to the point where it’s practically touching the ground.
But let’s not be too cynical. After all, this story does serve as a reminder that perseverance, no matter how trivial the task, is still something worth celebrating. It’s just that, in the grand scheme of things, maybe we should reserve our applause for achievements that push the boundaries of human potential. Or at least for those that don’t take two weeks to complete.
Our Take
As much as we admire the determination and tenacity of the double amputee who took two weeks to make their bed, we can’t help but wonder if this is a symptom of a larger societal problem. Are we so desperate for stories of triumph that we’re now celebrating what used to be considered the bare minimum? While perseverance is certainly admirable, it’s important to remember that not all accomplishments are created equal. Perhaps it’s time to reassess what we define as “newsworthy” and shift our focus back to the truly remarkable feats that inspire real progress.