But humans should be used as a baseline from which we derive the game stats for the other races. The reasoning on this is simple: We are human. We know what we are capable of. Use humans as Ground Zero.
That's probably the best I've seen that worded.
Humans are the baseline. They should not have modifiers, especially to something consistent, like stats (I could make an argument for a bonus feat, but that's mainly just the definition of what "standard" entails). If the basic human has an 11 average, then just make the starting point for point buy 9 instead of 8, and penalize the other races. Or make the default stat 3d6+1, whatever.
I think the key to this, though, is that phrase "penalize the other races". They've pretty much already said "penalties aren't fun" so elves don't get a penalty to Con, anymore. Just a bonus to Dex. I don't care for that mentality. If it doesn't make sense for elves to be puny, that's one thing. But to avoid penalties just because they aren't fun is really lame. Besides, if humans are the baseline and get a +1 to all stats, then any race than
doesn't get a bonus to a stat is effectively getting a penalty. It's just semantic games and misdirection.
As far as balance goes, I don't see an issue with the typical human adventurer averaging an 11 instead of a 10. Whatever. Even if elves get a +2 to both Int and Dex, that nets to a +1 Int and Dex and a -1 to the other stats.
Odds are, I'd just tell my players I was cutting the crap, humans have unmodified stats, and the other races were universally at -1 to what was listed.