Being Wrong

About the Author

Kathryn Schulz is a Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist whose work has spanned a wide range of topics, including immigration, civil rights, travel, cuisine, literary criticism, and the threat of earthquakes on the western US coast. Her writing has appeared in prestigious publications like The New Yorker, Rolling Stone, The Nation, The Santiago Times, and Grist. Schulz’s ability to blend deep research with engaging storytelling makes her a compelling voice in contemporary journalism. Her book, "Being Wrong: Adventures in the Margin of Error," published in 2010, explores the human relationship with error and the potential benefits of embracing our mistakes.

Main Idea

The central premise of "Being Wrong" is that making mistakes is an essential part of human nature and that we should change our perspective on errors. Schulz argues that instead of striving to eliminate mistakes, we should view them as opportunities for growth, exploration, and even humor. By rethinking our attitude towards being wrong, we can enrich our lives and improve our understanding of the world.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction: The Importance of Being Wrong
2. Right and Wrong as Survival Strategies
3. We’re Programmed to Believe
4. Being Wrong Is Useful
5. The Paradigm Cycle
6. Being Wrong Is Fun
7. The Art of Being Wrong
8. What It’s Like to Be Wrong
9. Certainty and Doubt
10. Why You’re Wrong
11. How to Cope With Being Wrong
12. Accepting That You’re Wrong

Introduction: The Importance of Being Wrong

Schulz introduces the concept that everyone is wrong about something at any given moment. She challenges the societal notion that mistakes are inherently negative, proposing instead that they are fundamental to the human experience. Mistakes enable us to learn, grow, and occasionally laugh at ourselves.

"What’s important is that we accept and learn from our mistakes, because usually our mistakes don’t hurt us as much as reacting to them poorly does." - Kathryn Schulz

Right and Wrong as Survival Strategies

Schulz explores how being "right" and "wrong" are both crucial for survival. Believing in our ideas allows us to function, but the capacity to be wrong enables us to imagine alternatives and adapt to changing circumstances. For example, early humans had to act quickly on beliefs to avoid danger, but their ability to envision different scenarios helped them explore and innovate.