On being wrong | Kathryn Schulz

Summary

In this engaging talk, the speaker reflects on the human tendency to feel 'right' and the difficulty of acknowledging when we are wrong. Using personal anecdotes, like a humorous misunderstanding about Chinese characters, the speaker delves into the psychological and cultural reasons behind our resistance to error. Emphasizing the value of embracing fallibility, the speaker argues that our capacity to be wrong is essential to creativity and human progress. The talk encourages viewers to step outside their comfort zones, embrace uncertainty, and rediscover the wonder of the unknown.

Takeaways

• 😀 A person can feel 'right' even when they are wrong, due to a phenomenon called error blindness.
• 😀 We often do not realize we're wrong until it's too late, much like the coyote running off the cliff in Looney Tunes.
• 😀 The emotional discomfort of being wrong—such as dread and embarrassment—often prevents us from acknowledging our mistakes.
• 😀 Cultural conditioning from an early age teaches us that being wrong is bad and that success is tied to never making mistakes.
• 😀 Our fear of being wrong leads to perfectionism, which is often seen in high achievers who try to avoid errors at all costs.
• 😀 Overconfidence in being right can lead to disastrous mistakes, like the surgeon who operated on the wrong leg due to an assumption of correctness.
• 😀 When we are certain we're right, we tend to assume that others who disagree are ignorant, foolish, or malicious.
• 😀 The tendency to feel 'right' closes us off to other perspectives and can create unnecessary divisions between people.
• 😀 Stories about being wrong—such as those on *This American Life*—are popular because they reflect real-life surprises and reversals.
• 😀 Acknowledging that we might be wrong opens the door to creativity, intellectual growth, and rediscovery of wonder in life.
• 😀 To foster curiosity and innovation, we must step outside the bubble of feeling 'right' and be open to the mystery of not knowing.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's talk?

The main theme of the talk revolves around the concept of being wrong, discussing how humans often cling to the feeling of being right, and how embracing fallibility can lead to creativity, growth, and better understanding of ourselves and the world.

Why does the speaker start with an anecdote about a road trip in 1995?

The speaker uses the road trip anecdote as a humorous entry point to illustrate how easy it is to misunderstand things, even seemingly obvious ones. It sets the stage for the deeper discussion on human fallibility and the tendency to avoid confronting being wrong.

What is 'error blindness' and how does it contribute to the feeling of being right?

'Error blindness' refers to the lack of internal cues or signals that tell us when we are wrong, leading us to feel like we're on solid ground even when we are already mistaken. This contributes to the persistent feeling of being right, making it harder for us to recognize our errors.

How does the speaker use the example of a medical error to illustrate the dangers of being overly confident in our rightness?

The speaker tells the story of a surgeon performing surgery on the wrong side of a patient’s body, illustrating how trusting the feeling of being right without questioning it can lead to disastrous consequences, such as medical errors or societal mistakes.

What cultural lesson does the speaker highlight regarding mistakes in childhood?

The speaker highlights that, from a young age, we are taught that making mistakes equates to being lazy, irresponsible, or dumb, and that success comes from avoiding errors. This societal conditioning leads many people to avoid admitting mistakes and to obsess over being 'right' at all costs.

What does the speaker suggest about the relationship between rightness and personal identity?

The speaker suggests that when we feel 'right,' it reinforces our sense of personal virtue and intelligence. Admitting we are wrong challenges our self-image, leading many to cling to their beliefs even in the face of contrary evidence.

What role does being wrong play in the speaker's view of human nature?

The speaker argues that our capacity to be wrong is not a flaw, but a fundamental part of being human. It drives creativity, problem-solving, and growth, as it forces us to reflect, learn, and adapt, ultimately shaping our productivity and innovation.

How does the speaker describe the relationship between being wrong and creativity?

The speaker explains that being wrong is essential for creativity because it challenges our assumptions and opens us up to new ideas and perspectives. Creativity often arises from the need to correct mistakes or navigate unexpected outcomes.

What philosophical insight does the speaker draw from St. Augustine's quote 'Fallor ergo sum'?

The speaker references St. Augustine’s quote, 'I err therefore I am,' to emphasize that error is an inherent part of the human experience. Unlike other animals, humans are driven by an obsession with understanding and figuring things out, which leads us to make mistakes, but also fuels our growth and creativity.

What is the significance of surprise and wrongness in storytelling, according to the speaker?

The speaker points out that surprise, plot twists, and the experience of being wrong are central to storytelling, as they create tension and interest. These elements reflect real life, where things rarely go as planned, and it is this unpredictability that makes stories and human experiences compelling.