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Why It's Good To Be Wrong
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Why It's Good To Be Wrong
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hakim.ali
hakim.ali
Posted Tuesday, July 10, 2012 11:58 PM
Old Hand
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Last Login: Friday, May 17, 2013 8:59 AM
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Comments posted to this topic are about the item
Why It's Good To Be Wrong
Hakim Ali
www.sqlzen.com
Post #1328048
Dogsbody1
Dogsbody1
Posted Wednesday, July 11, 2012 1:25 AM
Grasshopper
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Last Login: Wednesday, May 01, 2013 7:28 AM
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I agree, the problem is sometimes even though I know I'm wrong I persist in being 'right', why I'm not sure. Sometimes you get the reverse, somebody says your wrong and you readily admit it only to find you were right later after the event.
Post #1328083
Ola L Martins-329921
Ola L Martins-329921
Posted Wednesday, July 11, 2012 2:19 AM
SSC Veteran
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Last Login: Thursday, October 18, 2012 3:16 AM
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This is a fundamental in my own life - discovered by struck of luck in my youth.
In school, all standing in a group around a subject, I made a remark regarding this or that.
The teacher looked amused and corrected me - the inevitable muted giggle spread -
and to resurrect myself I claimed:
"I prefer being wrong, thus I have learned two things: one; that what I thought was right is wrong - and two: what is actually correct."
Post #1328102
majorbloodnock
majorbloodnock
Posted Wednesday, July 11, 2012 2:53 AM
Ten Centuries
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The trouble is that all too many people take a stance without making sure of their ground. If you say "this is so" when what you mean is "I think this is so", you've volunteered for the ridicule of being wrong.
It's important to state things categorically when you're certain, and just as important to highlight when you're uncertain. That way, people know where they stand. No-one minds you being wrong with best guess, but they do mind being strung along. If they know they can trust you to say when you're sure and when you're not, they'll respect your assurances all the more. And if, as Hakim said in his article, you're happy to publicly admit when you're wrong, they'll respect you still more, since they can trust your assurances are based on considered opinion rather than ego.
Thought-provoking editorial; thank you.
Semper in excretia, sumus solum profundum variat
Post #1328117
call.copse
call.copse
Posted Wednesday, July 11, 2012 2:56 AM
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I definintely take it as a sign of strength or character to hold your hand up when wrong. This is a sign of experience and confidence in your abilities.
Sadly it just happens so rarely to me
(j/k)
Post #1328120
david.wright-948385
david.wright-948385
Posted Wednesday, July 11, 2012 4:20 AM
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I absolutely agree with Steve's article. But there is another side to this coin: when
someone else
is wrong, we need to treat that in a helpful light too. It's so much easier to accept a lesson learned if it is learned in a helpful atmosphere: without risk of criticism, disdain or even ridicule. In this way we can encourage others to learn from their mistakes and help our situation become one where everyone can accept these 'learning opportunities" (our own, or others') rather than deny them.
This of course with the caveat that mistakes need to be recognised, not congratulated. I said "helpful" twice above rather than "positive". In particular, a repeated mistake means the lesson wasn't learned, and an ignored mistake is another mistake waiting to happen.
Post #1328164
Michael Lysons
Michael Lysons
Posted Wednesday, July 11, 2012 5:00 AM
Ten Centuries
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Sadly, I think part of the problem is another human trait; the ridicule of those who are wrong.
It's even evident on this site. Just look at a whole host of QotD posts, and you'll see stuff like "Good, back to basics question" and "I can't believe x% got this wrong" - all subtle little digs at those who may be wrong.
I think this is one reason why people worry about being wrong and therefore try to protect their "being right" beyond what is reasonable.
Still, I'm happy to be proved wrong
Post #1328173
hakim.ali
hakim.ali
Posted Wednesday, July 11, 2012 5:26 AM
Old Hand
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Last Login: Friday, May 17, 2013 8:59 AM
Points: 383,
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david.wright-948385 (7/11/2012)
But there is another side to this coin: when
someone else
is wrong, we need to treat that in a helpful light too. It's so much easier to accept a lesson learned if it is learned in a helpful atmosphere: without risk of criticism, disdain or even ridicule.
Great point, thank you for raising that, I had not so much considered that particular perspective.
Hakim Ali
www.sqlzen.com
Post #1328178
Ewald Cress
Ewald Cress
Posted Wednesday, July 11, 2012 5:39 AM
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Excellent post, and one that really struck a chord with me.
I, too, take delight in being wrong, for pretty much the reasons that Hakim outlined. But there is another side to it. If you're known to admit when you've been wrong, and willing to state "This is my current opinion, as opposed to a firm belief I won't budge from," people may well end up valuing your input more. Even in brute survival terms, that's a win.
Post #1328186
jay-h
jay-h
Posted Wednesday, July 11, 2012 6:51 AM
Say Hey Kid
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There are plenty of things I'd love to be proven wrong about....
...
-- FORTRAN manual for Xerox Computers --
Post #1328232
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