We create coherent stories to explain outcomes after the fact. The same events can "explain" opposite results—we just adjust the narrative. Experience this by explaining someone's outcome, then watch the story flip.
Entrepreneur, Age 35
Based on these life events, why do you think this outcome makes sense?
"Your selected explanation"
"Alternative explanation"
The same events explain both outcomes. Your brain instantly rewires the "why" to fit whatever ending it's given. This is the narrative fallacy—we don't discover stories in data, we impose them.
Success story: "Proved formal education is unnecessary for genius"
Failure story: "Showed reckless disregard for learning fundamentals"
Success story: "Bold visionary who seized opportunities"
Failure story: "Reckless gambler who couldn't manage risk"
Success story: "Trusted their unique vision against the crowd"
Failure story: "Arrogantly dismissed valuable guidance"
Success story: "Persistence and learning from mistakes"
Failure story: "Pattern of poor judgment and repeated errors"