Readers Column: Excuses
- Humans excel at making excuses, though they call it by different names: personal obligation, religion, I couldn't do anything about it, fate, or even voices in my...
- Some excuses are more socially acceptable than others, but they all stem from the same root cause: the human brain dislikes uncertainty.
- Governments claim that healthcare costs are too high, but this concern often focuses on care for the poor and elderly. Meanwhile, expensive medications and treatments are readily available...
Excuses: A Human Trait?
Table of Contents
By Annemiek Wassenburg
Humans excel at making excuses, though they call it by different names: personal obligation, religion, I couldn’t do anything about it,
fate, or even voices in my head.
Some excuses are more socially acceptable than others, but they all stem from the same root cause: the human brain dislikes uncertainty. To fill these gaps in understanding, we create explanations. What we don’t understand, we attribute to a higher power. The climate crisis becomes an possibility to blame others, like imposing extra taxes on gasoline cars while overlooking private jets.
A Deceptive Facade
Governments claim that healthcare costs are too high, but this concern often focuses on care for the poor and elderly. Meanwhile, expensive medications and treatments are readily available for luxury ailments.
The excuse? Warnings about new pandemics are issued, but the lack of necessary care is ignored. Those who don’t heed the warnings are blamed, even if the state itself, despite its vast resources, lacks funds to provide adequate care.why should they, when informal care is free? And if problems arise, it’s deemed your own fault for not listening to the warnings.
The narrative persists that wealth is earned through hard work, while poverty is the result of laziness. Personal responsibility is the mantra. But how do the lowest earners manage as delivery drivers, cleaners, waste processors, and shelf stockers? The excuse: they choose these jobs. Otherwise, why would they come from all over the world to do this work for next to nothing? And how do the wealthy acquire their riches? The excuse: by making good choices. Did they select their skills, health, and wealthy parents at some Life Shop,
along with the circumstances that benefit them? Fate is often a matter of chance. It’s peculiar to blame the poor and admire the rich. The hard-working [nationality]
is frequently enough a convenient political talking point.
The Nature of Excuses
Throughout history, people have invented excuses for what they don’t understand, such as gods of storm, lightning, and fire. However, weather phenomena are not malicious entities but simply the result of chance, natural laws, and evolution.This also applies to pathogens. People often lack a basic understanding of evolution. Viruses don’t necessarily benefit from killing their host; they are more successful if they only cause mild illness, allowing for faster propagation and distribution. Such as, the coronavirus evolved from Alpha to Flirt. But people remain people, and ther is often much to be gained from pandemics.
The idea that the homeland
must be defended is a myth. There is no homeland, only a place where you happen to live. But war is a harsh reality filled with excuses: democracy, self-defense, and so on. It’s best not to be poor and live in a country of strategic importance or rich in raw materials, as this makes you vulnerable. Your entire country might be destroyed for money or simply conquered. And the victor in such a war is always deemed right.
Awareness
People kill each other out of malice and later claim ignorance, offering excuses like They did it,
never us.
How long before we become aware of these gaps in understanding and seek genuine explanations? Only then will we realize that all scapegoats are merely myths. So, stop making excuses and start thinking!
Excuses: Unpacking a Human Trait
By Annemiek Wassenburg
March 23, 2025
Excuses are an intrinsic part of the human experience. We use them too navigate complex situations, justify our actions, and make sense of the world around us. But why do we rely on excuses, and what are their broader implications?
What are Excuses, and Why Do We Make Them?
What is an Excuse?
An excuse is a justification or explanation for an action, behavior, or situation. Its a way to mitigate blame,avoid duty,or simply explain why something occurred.
Why do humans make excuses?
the human brain dislikes uncertainty. Excuses help fill gaps in understanding,providing explanations for things we don’t know or comprehend.
Excuses can be a form of self-preservation, protecting our ego or avoiding feelings of guilt or shame.
What are some examples of excuses?
“I couldn’t do anything about it.”
“It was fate.”
“The voices in my head told me to do it.”
“I was too busy.”
how are excuses used in society?
Excuses are used across various facets of society, from personal relationships to global politics. They often serve to maintain the status quo and deflect responsibility.
Healthcare: Governments may claim high healthcare costs, focusing on issues affecting the poor and elderly, but make available expensive medications and treatments for “luxury ailments.”
Wealth and Poverty: The wealthy justify their riches by claiming hard work and good choices. Conversely,the poor are blamed for their poverty,attributed to laziness or poor choices.
War and conflict: Wars are frequently enough fought with excuses like ”democracy,” or “self-defense.”
Are some excuses more socially acceptable than others?
Yes, some excuses are more socially acceptable than others. acceptability often depends on cultural norms, social context, and the specific situation.
Examples of socially acceptable excuses: Personal obligations, or religious beliefs.
Table: Common Excuses and Their Underlying Motivations
| Category | common Excuse | Underlying Motivation |
| —————— | ——————————————————– | —————————————————————————————————————————– |
| Personal | “I was too busy.” | Avoidance of responsibility, fear of failure. |
| Social | “It’s a matter of fate.” | Avoidance of blame, desire to control the narrative |
| Political | “It’s for self-defense” | Justification of actions, maintenance of power |
| Economic | “they choose these jobs.” | Maintain the status quo, avoid addressing deeper societal issues |
| health | “It wasn’t my fault, I was born like this” | Maintain personal freedom, avoid societal pressure and stigmas. |
Excuses and Misunderstanding
How do excuses relate to our understanding of the world?
Excuses are often rooted in a lack of understanding or a desire to simplify complex issues. This can lead to misinformation and perpetuate harmful narratives.
Evolution and Disease: Peopel may lack a basic understanding of evolution, such as, how viruses evolve and spread, which leads to excuses for the severity of a disease.
Weather: Historically, people have attributed weather events to malicious gods. In reality, these events result from the laws of nature.
Moving Beyond Excuses
What are the implications of relying on excuses?
Excessive reliance on excuses can hinder progress, prevent accountability, and lead to negative consequences.
Obstacles: excuses can be obstacles to:
Personal growth and growth
Social progress
Effective problem-solving
How can we move beyond making excuses and embrace a more honest and responsible approach?
Awareness: Increasing our understanding of the world and our motives.
Critical Thinking: Questioning assumptions and seeking genuine explanations.
Responsibility: Taking ownership of our actions and their consequences.