# Some people have a problem with being proven wrong. **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 4, 2004, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647 "2004-01-04T15:31:25Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 4
**Author:** ![Hamadryad](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/6de8d8/32.png) [@Hamadryad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hamadryad)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 3:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/62 "2004-01-07T15:14:00Z")
I had a friend who, when I would admit I was wrong, would get ANGRY, because _I wouldn’t keep arguing_. I taught myself to admit when I was wrong near the beginning of high school, because I had a friend who was Always Right, and her attitude irritated the hell out of me. I consciously decided not to BE like that. I also learned that admitting when I was wrong or didn’t know something would make it possible for me to… **learn something new**. The friend from the beginning of the post just seemed unable to comprehend NOT arguing…and I’ve only ever seen him admit he was wrong peripherally. ---
**Author:** ![Scarlet](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@Scarlet](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scarlet)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 3:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/63 "2004-01-07T15:40:32Z")
Sadly, my husband is like this. He is always right. He knows everything about everything. It doesn’t matter how much proof you shove in his face, he is not wrong. He will argue that its storming outside on a clear sunny day. Personally, I think he just likes to argue. I ignore it most of the time and tell him that ‘In _your_ world it might be that way, but in _my_ world its this way’ ---
**Author:** ![BlackKnight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/eb8c5e/32.png) [@BlackKnight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/BlackKnight)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 8:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/64 "2004-01-07T20:08:51Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Kalhoun \* > \*\*“Dude, you’re a sucker. I’m telling you they’re everywhere for under $100.” > \*\* Is it possible he was refering to DVD recorder drives for a computer, which are available for (barely) under $100? ---
**Author:** ![Kalhoun](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/3bc359/32.png) [@Kalhoun](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kalhoun)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 8:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/65 "2004-01-07T20:16:44Z")
No. He actually hooked the thing up at my dad’s, so he knew exactly what we were referring to. And I had no idea you could install a drive into a computer and copy a DVD. How in the FUCK is that possible when the TV-to-DVD recorder is $400? ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 8:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/66 "2004-01-07T20:22:52Z")
I have two stories, both from the same person. I knew a guy once who was an absolute freak about being wrong. I am pretty sure he just did it to be annoying, though. The first time he claimed that the hottest time of the day is in the evening, when you go home from work. Like between 5 and 7 PM. We came back with saying the hottest time of the day is actually 1-3 PM. We didn’t exactly have any cites, but I mean the sun is directly overhead (or at least closer to it) during the day, so it seems to make sense, doesnt’ it? Does he have any cites? No his, reasoning is it’s hottest at 5 PM because it feels hotter. Right. Next one, he claimed that the people who drive with their hands at 10 and 2 o’clock are the worst drivers. His reasoning for this? They’re all tense and nervous drivers so they hold on really tight. He claimed the one-handed drivers are the best drivers. Again, no cite - these are silly things! - but in vain we tried to point out that 10 and 2 was valued for a reason, we were sure there were studies done on it, etc., etc. Nope. People who drove with one hand were the best. Aargh. Exercise in futility. ---
**Author:** ![Anaamika](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5f9b8f/32.png) [@Anaamika](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Anaamika)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 8:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/67 "2004-01-07T20:28:46Z")
Now that I look back on my post I realize that they were both things that were harder than the average to check up on. I mean you can’t just look it up in an encyclopedia. Probably why he picked them. ---
**Author:** ![Ponder\_Stibbons](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ponder_stibbons/32/343_2.png) [@Ponder\_Stibbons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ponder_Stibbons)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 10:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/68 "2004-01-07T22:31:57Z")
See, I don’t have a problem being proven wrong because I’m never wrong. I thought I was once, but I was mistaken 😉 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Giraffe](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giraffe/32/129_2.png) [@Giraffe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giraffe)\ **Post date:** [January 7, 2004, 11:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/69 "2004-01-07T23:35:28Z")
A former coworker went to visit his sister when she graduated from college. During the visit, he went with her and a friend of hers (also a recent college graduate) to a natural history museum, which featured among other things a large display of animal skeletons. The display was arranged in order of size, starting from the smallest rodent up to dinosaur skeletons. Apparently, in addition to being really cool to see, they did this to compare structural differences between different animals and how they change with size. Coworker found it very interesting, and was discussing it with his sister and her friend in the car afterwards. His sister’s friend agreed that it was interesting, but was disturbed by the fact that they used fake skeletons for the mice. Coworker: “What do you mean? Why wouldn’t they just use real skeletons?” Sister’s friend: “What, mouse skeletons?” C: “Yes.” SF: “Mice don’t have bones! What would they have, _itty bitty_ little bones?” C: (stunned silence) Apparently, she thought mice were just solid, homogenous objects even after seeing at a mouse skeleton on display in a natural history museum. To her credit, I think she was finally convinced of her mistake, but it took some arguing. And **Kalhoun** , don’t feel bad. Although you can in fact burn DVDs on your computer with a $100 drive, getting tv programs or movies on there is not a simple matter. The standalone recorder, if you can afford it, is much better. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/70 "2004-01-08T00:06:03Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Elenia25 \* > \*\* > > The first time he claimed that the hottest time of the day is in the evening, when you go home from work. Like between 5 and 7 PM. We came back with saying the hottest time of the day is actually 1-3 PM. We didn’t exactly have any cites, but I mean the sun is directly overhead (or at least closer to it) during the day, so it seems to make sense, doesnt’ it? Does he have any cites? No his, reasoning is it’s hottest at 5 PM because it feels hotter. Right. > > \*\* In the Summer, at least in Oklahoma, this is often true. It’s easy to check on during the day, just look at a thermometer. Or listen to the evening news weather report. Around here, they break it up to tell the temps at different times of day, Morning rush hour, noon, afternoon rush hour, 10:00pm, and the overnight. No subjective evidence here! It usually _IS_ hottest at the afternoon rush hour. I guess because of the Sun still being rather high in the sky, just adding on to noon’s heat. Probably not true everywhere, though. I would expect places near the ocean or large lakes would probably have changing winds to help out with the temp build up. The driving thing proves he’s a loony, tho… ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 1:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/71 "2004-01-08T01:13:44Z")
My ex would not admit that “turn the couch” did not include “and push it all the way back”. This precipitated an argument that ended with my stomping out. Not admitting you’re wrong is a cardinal (hah!) sin with me. I just won’t stand for it. It’s intellectual bullying, and it makes me wonder what else the person is going to be pigheaded and self-centered and unreasonable about. I have four commandments I’ve added to the original ten, and “Admit it when you’re wrong” is number 12. ---
**Author:** ![AncientHumanoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ancienthumanoid/32/278_2.png) [@AncientHumanoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AncientHumanoid)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 1:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/72 "2004-01-08T01:36:02Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Cardinal \* > \*\*My ex would not admit that “turn the couch” did not include “and push it all the way back”. \*\* Explain? ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 1:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/73 "2004-01-08T01:43:29Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Shodan \* > \*\*Err, **7 up yours** - > I was told in my chemistry class that water is a polar molecule, and therefore individual water molecules change to hydroxyl ions and could be considered weakly acidic. \*\* Pure water is neutral, as there are as many H3o+ ionic particles as there are OH- ones. Real water in the real world tends to be slightly acidic because of the carbon dioxide dissolving into it. It makes carbonic acid as follows: H2O + CO2 --\> H2CO3 This acidity is what makes the soda water taste so bad when the fountain runs out of syrup at the McDonalds. It’s why the soda manufacturers havce to add so much sugar. People like the combination of the bitter/bite and the sweet, but take out the sweet, and it’s icky. ---
**Author:** ![wnorthr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ecccb3/32.png) [@wnorthr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wnorthr)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 1:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/74 "2004-01-08T01:44:42Z")
Cardinal, so what are the other three? ---
**Author:** ![bafaa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e480ec/32.png) [@bafaa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bafaa)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 6:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/75 "2004-01-08T18:04:25Z")
This happened to me with a cow-orker one time. It was about some technical thing that I work on every day and he only did every once in a while. He was asking me how it worked and outlined the steps he thought were right. I corrected him but he argued that he was right. I pointed out that I do this every day and it works THIS way. He insisted I was wrong. He was clearly wrong but I just didn’t have the proof on hand to prove it. This went on for at least a half hour in which I pleaded with him to please believe me while I looked for documenation to back me up. I asked him “Is it possible, just POSSIBLE, that you’re wrong? Can’t you just give me the benefit of the doubt? I mean you did ask me didn’t you? Why ask me if you won’t believe me?” He admitted he might be wrong…just not this time. Needless to say he was wrong and I eventually found the documention to prove it. To his credit he finally admitted he was wrong…it just took a long time to prove it to him. Damn he can be stubborn! ---
**Author:** ![Cardinal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cardinal/32/4000_2.png) [@Cardinal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cardinal)\ **Post date:** [January 8, 2004, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/76 "2004-01-08T19:35:59Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by NoClueBoy \* > \*\*Explain? \*\* Her couch was on wall A, and she seemed to indicate that she wanted it in the place where her old couch had been. I put it there, which was not against wall B, and I got a chuffing “huh” noise that said, “Oh my gosh, the stuff I have to put up with.” I said I didn’t appreciate that noise, as we have words to pass along our ideas, and without using the ones that do in fact communicate your intent, I don’t know your wishes. We went around for quite a while with her not admitting that saying “X” did not include the idea of “Y”, as nothing in her statement had even implied Y, especially with some of the other things she had thrown in (like apparently telling me that I might have to move tables, but meaning a stand of tv dinner trays). **wnorthr** , the four additional commandments are: 1. Be as nice as you can. 2. Admit it when you’re wrong. 3. Don’t pontificate on things you don’t understand. 4. Make sure of the directions. (This includes both traveling directions, assembly directions, and instructions from friends and employers.) Admitting when I was wrong, being reasonable, and actually listening to people’s points was what got me through teaching and especially substituting. Being an unreasonable dork was only going to make teenagers look for ways to undermine me. It was bad enough as it was. ---
**Author:** ![Grelby](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a5b964/32.png) [@Grelby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grelby)\ **Post date:** [January 9, 2004, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/77 "2004-01-09T04:19:10Z")
What really drives me nuts is when someone, upon pretty clearly having lost the argument or having had convincing evidence presented, falls back on saying “Well, that’s my opinion.” AAARGH! You CAN’T have “opinions” on facts - you’re just wrong! Just face it! That particular cop-out bugs me in discussions that DO lend themselves to opinion, but it’s maddening when there’s no opinion to be had. It doesn’t help me that my family all insists (well, mostly my sister) that I “always have to be right.” No one seems to notice that I generally try to admit it when I am wrong, because when I do choose to argue the point I often AM right. During the regular occasions that I am not right, if I am convincingly told that I am wrong, I am willing to admit it and back off (though to be honest, dislike it). Everyone ELSE, however, seems to have a harder time letting go of being wrong - when I press the point, they say “Oh, you ALWAYS have to be right!” GAH! It’s gotten to the point that I really want to curb my tendency to argue things. It’s just not worth the discord. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 5:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/78 "2004-01-10T05:50:52Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Master Wang-Ka \* > \*\* > > He got no sympathy. Several other people, notably the one Catholic, remarked about how he’d been launching frontal assaults on everyone else’s faith for weeks. > > Bob fumfuh’d and hemhawed, and then said (something to the effect of), “Well, yes, but your faiths are false faiths, whereas mine’s the true one, so it’s okay for me to do that.” > > \*\* Oh my god- **Master Wang-Ka** ’s cow-orker was **Wildest Bill**!!! :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Kyla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/eada6e/32.png) [@Kyla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyla)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 6:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/79 "2004-01-10T06:23:45Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Master Wang-Ka \* > \*\* > “Where do grapes grow, Bob? Do you know? I’ll tell you. They don’t grow in most of the Holy Land. The weather isn’t right, nor has it been in several thousand years. Ask any California grape grower, and he’ll tell you that vineyards are finicky things. Grapes don’t grow in the desert, Bob.” > > “So?” > > “So where were Jesus and the apostles getting their grape juice?” > > “Huh? Well, they bought it, I suppose.” > > “From where? Grapes don’t grow in the desert, Bob. We know that Jesus ate figs from a fig tree, so we’re talking semi-arid conditions, here. So where was Jesus getting his grape juice? Or was he whipping it up out of water every night?” > > Bob opened his mouth… and closed it again. I continued ranting. > > “The only way they could be getting fruit juice was by CARAVAN. We know there was loads of trade throughout the region at the time; the Romans encouraged it. Good for taxes. Now… tell me, Bob… what happens when you fill a jug with grape juice and take it on a trip on camelback through a hot desert for several months?” > \*\* I’m not sure exactly what the weather in the Galilee was like 2000 years ago, but right now it’s quite pleasant and there are a number of wineries there. I remember some of them as being quite good, but I didn’t have much experience at the time, so I don’t really know how they measure up in quality. FTR, Nazareth, where Jesus lived, and Cana, where he turned the water into wine, are both in the Galilee, a lush green region with olive and date trees, crisscrossed with rivers and streams. It is not a desert, and there aren’t any camels. BTW, I grew up in Sonoma County, California, so I’m pretty well-acquainted with wine-growing regions. The Galilee is slightly more humid in summer and slightly colder in winter, but they are largely similar in climate. ---
**Author:** ![jesleigh](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/58f4c7/32.png) [@jesleigh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jesleigh)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 7:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/80 "2004-01-10T07:14:36Z")
If I’m ever wrong, I’ll let you guys know if I admit it… Why, exactly, are you rolling your eyes? ---
**Author:** ![Shirley\_Ujest](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/45deac/32.png) [@Shirley\_Ujest](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shirley_Ujest)\ **Post date:** [January 10, 2004, 3:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647/81 "2004-01-10T15:26:17Z")
If I was ever right, I’d probably die from shock. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647.md?page=3) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/some-people-have-a-problem-with-being-proven-wrong/222647.md?page=5)