I’m no Buddha*. And likely, neither are you.

The amount of perfection expected for people is unrealistic and often contradictory. The world’s noted scandals are often the results of character flaws of familial, biological and sociocultural origins, of which most of us possess.

Yet the bar is raised particularly high for public figures. It’s at the point of being unrealistic, so much so that I get a sense of cynical, voyeuristic enjoyment from the Peter Dohertys and Dennis Rodmans of the world. People like them, who relish in their careless, destructive behaviors, are refreshingly honest even while being distasteful to some.

Not giving a shit, when compared with the uppity expectations placed on many public figures, or just about anyone who screws up and is publicly exposed for it, is a healthy perspective. Suspending judgment of others is even healthier because the levels of expectation we place upon one another is, on some level, dependant upon our own mistakes and misjudgments.

That being the case, the celebration of our current, past and future misdeeds is even more critical in light of what I see as misguided attempts at trying to erase past negativity. The Search Engine Optimization movement, especially when used to manage online reputations, comes close to avoiding real issues even though SEO tactics are currently en vogue. There are books-galore being published about the topic.

The problem is that the bury-the-negative-search-rankings approach does not work for three reasons:

• First, it doesn’t address pre-emptive visions that guide not getting into trouble in the first place.
• Second, one of the leading firms that specializes in online-reputation management has the honor of having a number-two search ranking being a site devoted to criticizing the firm.
• Third, if an organization or person truly screws up, it is basic public relations to acknowledge fuck-ups, not try to bury them. Fuck-ups are opportunities to shine, not things of which to be ashamed.

There are many kinds of heroes. Some of my favorites are the Eliot Spitzer- and Marion Jones-types, who come out and admit their wrongs. When they go down in flames, they do so with a sense of humility they perhaps have never before experienced. This takes more strength, conviction and honor than winning in life, casting stones or being a sideline critic.

*For the record: Like most folks, I have my share of faults. I back-peddle, flip-flop and I contradict myself. I tend to speak off the cuff and occasionally my mouth gets me into trouble. However, I hopefully better recognize when I screw up, openly acknowledge it and do something about it if it is too serious. Having a wonderful wife helps.