I think we remember it from our own perspective because of either extreme pleasure or extreme pain. Spot welded experiences are usually generated by high emotions. I find it interesting how in these experiences we remember what we were wearing and our surroundings, but cannot recollect the truth and realize we may have been at fault.

I completely agree with the problem that rarely are people prepared to take responsibility (and thus blame). I think that this problem is also made worse by the fact that because no one admits their mistakes the few who want to feel that they will be seen as someone who makes too many mistakes because they can actually be blamed for something and accept it. This creates a vicious circle where no one feels able to take responsibility expect a few confident men! What also doesn’t help the situation is when people use the passive voice in their explanation so that they remove the blame from themselves but don’t even try to attribute any cause to an incident; they are effectively saying,”I don’t know, it must have just happened!” In these cases people are just trying to kid themselves that they aren’t responsible.

In sum, great piece. Let’s hope that some more people can stand by what they do!

“Yet the whole truth of the matter tends to lie somewhere in-between what we tell ourselves happened, and what really happened.”

How much space is there between the “whole truth of the matter” and “what really happened?”

Then I became a classical musician and, contrary to popular belief, classical musicians (and singers) can be the most humble people in the world, and even the ones that are proud and diva-like will own up to a mistake in a heartbeat. Often they might instantly shout it out so that everybody hears it (“WAIT, STOP, I MADE A MISTAKE, YOU ARE RIGHT!”). It is also the easiest thing to go to someone and tell them: “I think the way you play the Andante is a bit tasteless” without any animosity or anyone taking it personally. In an environment like that, it is impossible to be anything BUT humble and honest.

And it can’t just be because musicians are sensitive people. I have not seen this behavior in any other art form. It is like coming to a strange, isolated zen island.

But it is very contagious. I think it takes seeing such an environment once, before you can even grasp the concept and uncomplicated manliness of owning up to mistakes. Before I saw it, I thought having to own up to mistakes was the worst possible situation to be in. And it prevents you from trying anything that might possibly fail.

I would appreciate if you could write a consolidated article about the human ego, it’s deleterious and beneficial effects, to what extent it may be advisable to nullify it, and what exercises we may put into effect to do so.

A very helpful website,
It seems that not everyone has lost their common sense after all.