Why do we need to make mistakes?

This week, we look at the ups and downs of messing up.

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Some of us make mistakes around time, and we show up a little early, or a little late. Linda Ballantyne will tell us what happened when she showed up early - very, very early - for a friend's wedding. (Also aired on Your DNTO)



We all know that everyone makes mistakes. But why is it that we make so many really, really dumb mistakes... like forgetting our own computer passwords, or stashing something really important in a "safe" place, only to totally forget where we put it? And why do we keep making these same mistakes over and over again? Joseph Hallinan thinks he knows why. He'll tell us what he found out writing his book Why We Make Mistakes: How We Look Without Seeing, Forget Things in Seconds, and Are All Pretty Sure We Are Way Above Average. (Also aired on Your DNTO)


Making a mistake that a few people will know about is embarrassing enough. But when you're in charge of updating a website that thousands of people read, your mistakes can become very public indeed. David Marchese tells us about the "totally inappropriate content" that he accidentally posted to a major pop culture website. (Also aired on Your DNTO)



It's easy to make mistakes. Admitting them, however, is much harder. So why do we go to such lengths to cover up our mistakes? Clare Lawlor looks into what's really going on when we choose to deny, deny, deny.

Making a public mistake is downright bruising to the ego. Sook-Yin takes to the street to find out about your most public faux pas. (Also aired on Your DNTO)

Hypothetical question: you're trying to get a big break in your career, when suddenly one is offered to you.  But only because someone else has made a very, very big mistake.  Would you go ahead with it anyway? We'll find out how actor Precious Chong responded to that situation. (Also aired on Your DNTO)



Seema Kalia knows mistakes. Not so much from making her own, but from asking other people about theirs. A couple of years back, the New York-based journalist wrote a series of features for the Huffington Post called "My Favorite Mistake." In that column, she asked notable folks about their best gaffes. So what did she learn about mistakes from talking to other people about theirs? We'll find out. (Also aired on Your DNTO)

So we've found out a lot about mistakes that sorta, kinda worked out for the best... eventually. But what about the ones you really wish you could take back? Sook-Yin turns the mic over to you for your stories.

When do we start making mistakes? Or rather, when do we begin to understand that we're making mistakes? And do we learn from our mistakes, or do we just learn how to hide them? Alix Sobler visits some young folks to figure it out.

Every touring musician in Canada knows what it's like to make a bit of a "whoops!" on stage. Including Leela Gilday. The Yellowknife singer/songwriter has been performing since she was eight years old, and she has a few war stories to share... including one about an embarrassing "wardrobe malfunction." She'll tell us about it.

One of the reasons it's so darn hard to admit to our mistakes is the fear of looking stupid. And when you're a journalist, that a major concern - after all, your errors are out there for everyone to see. And your credibility - not to mention your job - hinges on your ability to get the story right. All of which might explain why journos are so bad at admitting their mistakes. And that really started to bug Craig Silverman, who will tell us about his website, RegretTheError.com.

And here's this week's playlist:

Nelly Furtado - "Turn Off the Light"
The Midway State - "Atlantic" (Also aired on Your DNTO)
Michou - "Growing Younger"
Ron Sexsmith - "Honest Mistake"
Jessica Lea Mayfield - "Our Hearts Are Wrong"
The Ting Tings - "That's Not My Name" (Also aired on Your DNTO)
Rural Alberta Advantage - "Breakup" (Also aired on Your DNTO)
DeVotchKa - "Exhaustible"
The Jacksons - "Blame It On the Boogie"
Leela Gilday - "End of the Day" (live in studio)
Paper Moon - "Greatest Mistake"