"Being famous is not something that would make me feel successful - unless one was striving for mediocrity"

In this quote, William Hurt offers a crucial viewpoint on the principle of fame and its relationship to individual success. At its core, Hurt seems to challenge the common societal idea that fame is a conclusive marker of success. He dissociates the 2, recommending that attaining popularity for its own sake-- without deeper, substantive achievements-- appears associated with mediocrity.

Harmed suggests that real success should go beyond the superficial allure of fame and reflect genuine accomplishment, mastery, or contribution. By saying "unless one was striving for mediocrity", he positions fame as a standard or even an inferior goal, something that might be seen as banal or devoid of considerable benefit when compared to more meaningful individual or creative achievements. This review highlights a belief in much deeper values such as stability, ability, and development over simple public acknowledgment.

Additionally, Hurt's words might be interpreted as a critique of a culture that often relates exposure with value. In a media-saturated society, the line between being popular and being achieved can blur, leading some to pursue prestige for its own sake rather than as a by-product of substantial achievements. Hurt's statement could be seen as an admonition: he warns against the sexy trap of seeing fame as an endpoint, instead of focusing on the passion, commitment, and craft that may lead an individual to be appreciated and known not because of fame itself, however because of what they have genuinely contributed.

Additionally, his perspective welcomes readers to review their definitions of success. It asks to consider what personal or expert milestones genuinely matter to them beyond superficial or societal glamours. Essentially, Hurt's viewpoint champs the concept that personal fulfillment and success stem from pursuits of substance rather than the fleeting applause of acknowledgment alone.