Pride (More on What Sewing Teaches)
One of the most common laments I hear after an arts and science contest is, "The judge marked me down based on what he/she thought was right, not based on what I had in my documentation!" For example, my sister did a Chinese costume and one judge said "These colors are not typically Yaun, they are more Ming." The other three judges, hearing this judge, all marked her down accordingly - although the colors in question were actually in keeping with what we know of Yaun dynasty costume. So when she went to Kingdom, Grace re-wrote the docs to emphasise the color choices. She got the same judge at Kingdom she'd had at regional, and the same comment about the colors not being right.
Not to pick on that particular judge, it's just a good illustration of a problem: It is far easier to judge things based on your previous knowledge. We have all these preconceived notions ready and available, whereas to judge based on someone else's research is, well, rather like rooting through the bowl of halloween candy for the last peanut butter cup when you have plenty of chocolate bars on the top.
When I wrote last about my tendency to innovate and not follow directions, I didn't mean that innovation is bad! But it is when motivated by pride. I'm thinking "Oh sure the directions say do it this way, but I know better! Those directions are for the plebians who can't re-fit everything on the fly!"
I'm reminded of an arts and crafts day back in, oh, third grade or so. We were making easter baskets out of paper. The teacher started in with slow, careful instruction, but I was like, "Huff! I already know how to make a paper basket!" So I set off and just made mine as I'd been shown before - only to discover that the teacher's method produced a far better, neater-looking basket. I was humiliated as my bent, over-big and floppy basket stood next to a neat row of tighter, more folded baskets.
It's very hard to not trust in your own opinion over others - after all, it's your opinion! But when we place that internal world over the external, our pride leads us into error.
Not to pick on that particular judge, it's just a good illustration of a problem: It is far easier to judge things based on your previous knowledge. We have all these preconceived notions ready and available, whereas to judge based on someone else's research is, well, rather like rooting through the bowl of halloween candy for the last peanut butter cup when you have plenty of chocolate bars on the top.
When I wrote last about my tendency to innovate and not follow directions, I didn't mean that innovation is bad! But it is when motivated by pride. I'm thinking "Oh sure the directions say do it this way, but I know better! Those directions are for the plebians who can't re-fit everything on the fly!"
I'm reminded of an arts and crafts day back in, oh, third grade or so. We were making easter baskets out of paper. The teacher started in with slow, careful instruction, but I was like, "Huff! I already know how to make a paper basket!" So I set off and just made mine as I'd been shown before - only to discover that the teacher's method produced a far better, neater-looking basket. I was humiliated as my bent, over-big and floppy basket stood next to a neat row of tighter, more folded baskets.
It's very hard to not trust in your own opinion over others - after all, it's your opinion! But when we place that internal world over the external, our pride leads us into error.