My husband is one of those that reverses that old saying. He says experience is a terrible teacher. He likes to know what he’s doing so he gets it right the first time.
Story goes the young George Coleman was playing a gig in the Village Vanguard and noticed the great Eddie Conn in the audience. George was concerned to play his best, carefully hitting all the right notes, when the great man shouted at him, “Hey, kid! Make some mistakes, %&#@**,make some mistakes!”
My Grandfather was the assistant super attendant for the Los Angeles school district sometime in the 1940’s/50’s. He used to tell me to tell my teachers that “Reading Rots the Mind”. My Mom was a teacher at the same school I attended. My Grandfather was quit the Prankster!
That’s why it is VERY IMPORTANT to be able to learn from other people’s experiences (especially mistakes). You don’t have to personally crash a car, get an obscene tattoo, join the French Foreign Legion, or pick a fight with two professional kickboxers at the same time. Observe consequences; live smart.
Chrisdiaz801 8 months ago
And you got two free lessons without having to wait for the bell, Norman.
The dude from FL (not bragging) Premium Member 8 months ago
Bad judgements aren’t free
Ratkin 8 months ago
Good job on spelling judgment right. Most people stick and E in the middle. Same with acknowledgment and abridgment.
syzygy47 8 months ago
True. I’ve long said, especially at work, you learn far more when things go wrong than when everything runs smoothly
angelolady Premium Member 8 months ago
My husband is one of those that reverses that old saying. He says experience is a terrible teacher. He likes to know what he’s doing so he gets it right the first time.
hariseldon59 8 months ago
If you learn from the mistakes of others, you might make fewer yourself. One reason why it’s important to study history.
Cpeckbourlioux 8 months ago
Story goes the young George Coleman was playing a gig in the Village Vanguard and noticed the great Eddie Conn in the audience. George was concerned to play his best, carefully hitting all the right notes, when the great man shouted at him, “Hey, kid! Make some mistakes, %&#@**,make some mistakes!”
iggyman 8 months ago
You learn a lot more from doing a job, the from reading about it, but the books point you to the right direction!
jagedlo 8 months ago
“I’m doing my homework because I got tired of the whole lackey/underling thing…”
John Wiley Premium Member 8 months ago
“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes” – Oscar Wilde
JudithStocker Premium Member 8 months ago
Earl’s right about the lessons you’ll actually learn being from experience. There are things learned not really in text books!
PraiseofFolly 8 months ago
Experience is the best teacher, but a fool will learn from no other.
— Benjamin Franklin
BIG RED BULLDOG 8 months ago
HIS NAME IS NELSON, NOT NORMAN
ANIMAL 8 months ago
If it wasn’t for BAD judgement…… I wouldn’t be BORN.
Zebrastripes 8 months ago
Live and learn, huh Earl?
Joevette 57 8 months ago
Just started reading this again… what in the hell happened to the kid’s parents???
jango 8 months ago
Its just Trial and Error. Heavy on the Error portion.
sarahbowl1 Premium Member 8 months ago
I totally agree! Most of my bad experiences come from bad decisions on my part!
ladykat 8 months ago
Unfortunately, it’s very true.
rodney 8 months ago
Hold my beer and watch this
Queen of America 8 months ago
Isn’t that the truth!?
bigplayray 8 months ago
My Grandfather was the assistant super attendant for the Los Angeles school district sometime in the 1940’s/50’s. He used to tell me to tell my teachers that “Reading Rots the Mind”. My Mom was a teacher at the same school I attended. My Grandfather was quit the Prankster!
Mike Baldwin creator 8 months ago
Sage advice!
David Huie Green PrepareBeforeOrRegretLater 8 months ago
Negative feedback loops.
If you survive long enough, you will be nearly error-free.
(Few do.)
MuddyUSA 8 months ago
Stop talking to him, Earl……..
zeexenon 8 months ago
Those Edsel buyers, for example.
reedkomicks Premium Member 8 months ago
Bingo
bwswolf 8 months ago
Live and learn …… Norman …… and most important ……….. “LIVE” …… :)
eced52 8 months ago
No wonder Earl is so twisted.
Phoenix83 8 months ago
Sometimes someone else’s bad judgement
mistercatworks 8 months ago
That’s why it is VERY IMPORTANT to be able to learn from other people’s experiences (especially mistakes). You don’t have to personally crash a car, get an obscene tattoo, join the French Foreign Legion, or pick a fight with two professional kickboxers at the same time. Observe consequences; live smart.
PaulGoes 8 months ago
Experience is what you get right after you needed it
neatslob Premium Member 8 months ago
Experience is the worst teacher: it gives the test first, and the lesson later.