Many consider me arrogant, with an ego the size of Texas. Guilty as charged.
But those who know me know that I try to temper these endearing traits by sincerely admitting when I am wrong about something. So let's turn to some recent brilliant prognostications . . . that weren't.
CRUISE ROBOTAXIS Blog: It's F'ing San Francisco, Baby! (published 23 October 2023) What I Predicted: Cruise's (and Waymo's) robotaxi industries would be a contributor to an SF re-birth What Really Happened: One of Cruise's cars ran over a pedestrian, they lied about it, they suspended all of their autonomous services nationally, and their CEO quit Grade: D
THE MIDDLE EAST Blog: Oily (published 4 October 2023) What I Predicted: Israel and Saudi Arabia were on the brink of a historic normalization of relations; I went further to say a spike in oil prices was the result of the Saudis trying to extract more concessions before making peace with Israel What Really Happened: Perhaps in response to that development, the worst attack on Israel in our lifetimes occurred on 7 October and there's a humanitarian crisis in Gaza, although at least there's a truce right now Grade: F-
DEION SANDERS @ THE UNIVERSITY OF COLORADO Blog: My Buffs and Deion Sanders (published 20 September 2023) What I Predicted: I said his off-season use of the transfer portal was "revolutionary," and that his total commitment and professionalism would result in a thriving program - inside and outside the locker room What Really Happened: They lost 8 of 9 to end the season, top recruits are bailing, there are loud rumors of dissension internally, and Deion is a big hypocrite Grade: D
10 Seconds of Seriousness: Obviously, only the Israel - Hamas war really matters here, but I am making a different point.
Being retired, I have the luxury of time and one of my major uses of that time is reading. I read a lot, including about all of the subjects above. In other words, I am relatively well-informed, and that's not arrogance.
But in each case, and despite having the confidence from doing my own research to make bold predictions and then put them out there, I was wrong. Like super incorrect.
Is there anything you think you understand well, but you could be wrong - way wrong - about?
FROM THE UNWASHED MASS
My comical critique of Love Actually clearly - and I mean f'ing clearly - struck a nerve in the oft-chill Dr. Davis Fladgate. He did not mince words.
So sad that the critic in you can’t relax and enjoy a funny, entertaining movie.
Ouch. Being as insecure as I am (the yang to the yin of arrogance!), I would prefer this: Although maybe not delivered with the doe eyes, at least if it's coming from my father-in-law.
Thank you for reading this newsletter.
KLUF
Featuring "Wrong All Along" and so many other kick-ass songs, here is an eponymous, Killer, and sadly overlooked Cheap Trick album, from way back in 1997.
