I admit. I’ve never seen an episode of The Big Bang Theory. For years now, people have been telling me it would be my kind of humor. Yet, I’ve just never gotten around to watching it.
However, thanks to an Internet meme, I am definitely aware of a funny line that Sheldon apparently said in Episode 2 of Season 3:
“Don’t you think if I were wrong, I’d know it?”
I find that quote to be worthy of dissecting, from a psychological point of view.
For a person to ask that question, it assumes the following about them:
- They have the ability to always instantly self-identify when they are about to be wrong.
- Therefore, they immediately change their mindset, convictions, and actions the moment they identify truth; and always do it before anyone else can notice it.
- Therefore, they technically are only privately wrong about anything for a split-second, since they have the ability to notice it right away.
- Therefore, they are immune to human accountability.
- Therefore, they have the privilege of legitimately being close-minded to all constructive criticism.
And here’s the irony of that theory:
In reality, a person who is close-minded to constructive criticism is limiting their ability to learn more and improve their own life, therefore proving they are less intelligent than those who are open to learning.
Therefore, to ensure I don’t endanger myself of having such a close-minded mindset where I believe I am immune to constructive criticism, I constantly assume I am wrong at least 50% of the time.
My self-esteem is high and I have much confidence in my ability to make good decisions. However, it would limit me to believe that only in a rare occasion could I be wrong about something.
On the contrary, I am fully aware I put myself in a position to get further in life A) by being so open to criticism to learn to be a more efficient and educated human being and B) because so many people on this planet are not willing to so, therefore putting me further ahead.
The general concept is introduced in Robert Kiyosaki’s Best Seller book: Rich Dad, Poor Dad.
He explains that the people who get ahead and stay head in business are the ones who are willing to do that things that most people aren’t willing to do.
I have learned that most, or at least many, people are not willing to make themselves a sponge for constructive criticism.
Instead, they allow themselves to become victims because they give power and authority to other people by giving them the authority to “hurt my feelings.”
As I recently mentioned, I don’t give other people the ability to offend me.
Eleanor Roosevelt make this concept easily understandable with her famous quote: “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”
So for the record, there’s a good chance that if I were wrong, I wouldn’t know it.
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