Of Heuristic Inquiry
There’s a word, Heuristic. The dictionary defines it as: involving or serving as an aid to learning, discovery, or problem-solving by experimental and especially trial-and-error methods. Where has this word gone today? Where are these methods taught in school today? Where has the ability to make mistakes gone in today’s society?Â
We, in America, are afraid of failure. I honestly believe this to be truth. From big banks, to car conglomerates. We shun failure and experimentation and we strive for success by all means. We cheat, we steal, we lie, and we scrape our way to the proverbial top by all means necessary; and along with it, our integrity.Â
We have forgotten the purity of experience by heuristic means.Â
Often times we hear that is is indeed okay to fail. But let’s be honest, it’s never been outwardly accepted. To fail is to be shunned; to be ostracized. Which in turn places a stigma on our own psyche. How dare we be bold or attempt something new, or even, think different. What a concept.Â
I’m afraid of failure. As I write this post I worry about future job prospects, and if I’ve made the right decision regarding my degree path or even choice to stay in my hometown for college. At the root of this all is my own heuristic validation.Â
What I seek to make out for myself is crafted by these trail-and-error situations; don’t listen and wait for approval to make or do something. Go out and experiment with life.









