To try and to err, 'tis the only way

A few weeks ago I came across this tweet:

Taleb's quote stuck with me. And after googling the existence of a human that has 1,000 IQ points (spoiler: this person is about as a real as a unicorn...for now), I came up with the following (non-exhaustive) list of life experiences that proves his point:

  • Discovering our strengths requires trial and error.
  • Developing a new skill requires trial and error.
  • Making lasting friends requires trial and error.
  • Finding a spouse requires trial and error.
  • Parenting requires trial and error.
  • Creation of any sort (invention, art, business, human, etc) requires trial and error.
  • Finding match quality in employment requires trial and error.
  • Scientific progress requires trial and error.
  • Gaining wisdom requires trial and error.
  • Improving physical, mental, and emotional health requires trial and error.
  • Timing markets requires trial and error (and is a failing strategy so you shouldn't even try it unless you really want to learn for yourself that the future is unknown 😅).

In short, what is life if not a grand exercise in trial and error? As Tony Fadell said in a recent interview, “Look, it’s do, fail, learn; do, fail, learn. There’s no such thing as learn and then you’re able to do. No, no, no. When you really learn in life is after you’ve tried to do it.”