Why Are We Afraid of Admitting Mistakes?

When did our culture "evolve" beyond the grace of humility that not only tolerates, but also encourages us to recognize, name and learn from our mistakes?  Did I miss a meeting or something?

I can't imagine the kind of nerves (or is it really just nerve?) it takes to seek public office--at any level.  Lord help you if you have endorsed legislation that didn't live up to the hype.  Cash in your chips early if you've been proven to be wrong about a position you took.

The era of what I call the "error of intolerance" is in full swing.  We've been conditioned to believe that the only characteristic of making a mistake is incompetence.  One lapse of judgement can end a career or destroy a family.  "Just don't screw up" is often heard as our teens head off to their first year of college independence.

I am puzzled by something, though.  If we aren't supposed to make any mistakes or misjudgements, how do we get to test new ideas?  If our opinion is nothing more than an unending diatribe of everything wrong with the other fellow, how can compromise (not a dirty word, after all) flourish?

You want more accountability in public and private institutions?  Learn to accept that no one has a lock on perfection.  Have a dialogue with your representatives instead of a shouting match.  Show some respect in civil discourse instead of resorting to name calling or worse.

My opinion is important only to me.  I'm not interested in being told that I'm an idiot, moron, dimwit, etc. if I don't agree with the conventioanl wisdom of the day.  I seem to recall something in our early childhood training that had to do with "casting the first stone".  Gee, I don't know, maybe it wasn't that valuable a lesson anyway...