Asymmetry

We humans are the victims of an asymmetry in the perception of random events

We attribute success to our skills

And our failures to external events outside our control, namely to randomness

We feel responsible for the good stuff

But not for the bad

This causes us to think that we are better than others at whatever we do for a living

94% of Swedes believe that their driving skills put them in the top 50% of Swedish drivers

84% of Frenchmen feel that their love making abilities put them in the top half of French lovers

The other effect of this asymmetry is that we feel a little unique

Unlike others for whom we do not perceive such an asymmetry

And therein lies a very human problem

Imagine further that most humans feel this way

Then we need not wonder at the way we treat each other

Just how to address this asymmetry

A long journey maybe but as the Chinese say even the longest journey starts with one step

For you personally start noticing how many things about you and your life are the same as others

Not how different you are

Strip away the trivial and note how similar we are

We are the same not just similar

The same in so many way