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 about 1 year ago
And you got two free lessons without having to wait for the bell, Norman.
The dude from FL Premium Member about 1 year ago
Bad judgements aren’t free
Ratkin Premium Member about 1 year ago
Good job on spelling judgment right. Most people stick and E in the middle. Same with acknowledgment and abridgment.
syzygy47 about 1 year 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 about 1 year 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 about 1 year ago
If you learn from the mistakes of others, you might make fewer yourself. One reason why it’s important to study history.
Cpeckbourlioux about 1 year 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 about 1 year 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 about 1 year ago
“I’m doing my homework because I got tired of the whole lackey/underling thing…”
John Wiley Premium Member about 1 year ago
“Experience is simply the name we give our mistakes” – Oscar Wilde
JudithStocker Premium Member about 1 year ago
Earl’s right about the lessons you’ll actually learn being from experience. There are things learned not really in text books!
PraiseofFolly about 1 year ago
Experience is the best teacher, but a fool will learn from no other.
— Benjamin Franklin
WILLIAM "THE STINGER" HOLLIFIELD about 1 year ago
HIS NAME IS NELSON, NOT NORMAN
ANIMAL about 1 year ago
If it wasn’t for BAD judgement…… I wouldn’t be BORN.
Zebrastripes about 1 year ago
Live and learn, huh Earl?
Joevette 57 about 1 year ago
Just started reading this again… what in the hell happened to the kid’s parents???
jango about 1 year ago
Its just Trial and Error. Heavy on the Error portion.
sarahbowl1 Premium Member about 1 year ago
I totally agree! Most of my bad experiences come from bad decisions on my part!
ladykat about 1 year ago
Unfortunately, it’s very true.
rodney about 1 year ago
Hold my beer and watch this
Queen of America about 1 year ago
Isn’t that the truth!?
bigplayray about 1 year 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 about 1 year ago
Sage advice!
David Huie Green LoveJoyAndPeace about 1 year ago
Negative feedback loops.
If you survive long enough, you will be nearly error-free.
(Few do.)
MuddyUSA Premium Member about 1 year ago
Stop talking to him, Earl……..
zeexenon about 1 year ago
Those Edsel buyers, for example.
reedkomicks Premium Member about 1 year ago
Bingo
bwswolf about 1 year ago
Live and learn …… Norman …… and most important ……….. “LIVE” …… :)
eced52 about 1 year ago
No wonder Earl is so twisted.
Phoenix83 about 1 year ago
Sometimes someone else’s bad judgement
mistercatworks about 1 year 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 about 1 year ago
Experience is what you get right after you needed it
neatslob Premium Member about 1 year ago
Experience is the worst teacher: it gives the test first, and the lesson later.