Uniformity, mediocrity and the herd mentality

Uniformity within a society could manifest itself in fashion trends, ideas or behaviors to name just a few.
It make us think like the crowd, act like the crowd, dress like the crowd, and take decision based on the crowd's proclivities and inclinations.
This homogeneity gives us the permission to act freely within the confines of the agreed upon rules and principles that govern our group, tribe or society.

Thus, we lose our specificity and uniqueness within the societal framework of the normal and the commonplace.
It is certainly easier to live from the perspective of a passive onlooker, where our decisions are taken based on what is common and widespread across the diverse classes and communities that make up society.
This kind of life can sometimes have a subtle undertones of mediocrity, dullness and predictability. 

Any deviation from the "normal" would require a momentous effort on our part, and would demand the society's tacit endorsement or validation.

When we steer away from the norms or when we nudge our aspirations outside of what is common, we benefit enormously, as our newly acquired uniqueness sets us apart from and above commonplace and the prosaic.