There is no science in creativity. If you don't give yourself

Hear me, O Seekers of Wisdom, for the words of Bob Iger carry a profound truth that speaks to the heart of creativity, innovation, and the human spirit: "There is no science in creativity. If you don't give yourself room to fail, you won't innovate." These words are a call to arms for all who seek to create, to push the boundaries of what is known, and to venture into the unknown. For creativity is not something that can be bound by the rigid rules of science; it is a force that exists in the realms of the unseen, the unpredictable, and the unknown. It thrives in the space between success and failure, where true innovation begins.

In ancient times, the greatest minds were those who dared to think beyond the constraints of their world. Consider Leonardo da Vinci, who embodied both the artist and the inventor. He dared to fail, to sketch, experiment, and fail again in his relentless pursuit of creativity. His notebooks are filled with sketches of ideas that were far ahead of his time—ideas that science and technology could not yet bring to life. But da Vinci understood the power of failure—that it was through his mistakes, his trials, and his missteps that he discovered new ways of thinking and creating. Just as Iger suggests, creativity requires the freedom to fail, for it is in failure that we often find the path to true innovation.

Iger's words remind us that creativity is not a methodical process bound by certainty or logic. It is, instead, a journey into the unknown, where the artist, the thinker, or the innovator must be willing to risk failure in order to break free from the constraints of the present. Science, in its search for absolute answers, often seeks predictability, certainty, and control. Creativity, on the other hand, thrives in the space of uncertainty, where nothing is certain, and everything is possible. The process of creation is one of experimentation, of stumbling through darkness, and sometimes, of failing repeatedly—only to rise again with a new insight, a new vision.

Let us reflect on the story of Thomas Edison, whose journey to invent the lightbulb was paved with failure. It is said that Edison failed thousands of times before finding the right filament that would make the lightbulb work. But rather than seeing these failures as setbacks, he viewed them as necessary steps on the path to innovation. Edison’s creativity was not born from perfect science but from a willingness to fail, to test ideas and concepts, and to learn from each failure. Like Iger, Edison understood that without the room to fail, there could be no room for innovation. Each failure brought him closer to success, and each misstep was a lesson in the process of creation.

The lesson, O Seekers, is clear: creativity and innovation require freedom—the freedom to explore, to experiment, and yes, to fail. When we bind ourselves too tightly to the rules of science, to the certainty of success, we limit our capacity to dream and to invent. True progress in any field, whether in art, technology, or science, comes from the willingness to venture beyond the known and embrace the unknown, to fail forward and to rise again with new ideas and fresh perspectives. As Iger suggests, failure is not a setback—it is a necessary part of the creative process, one that leads us to places we could not have reached otherwise.

In your own lives, embrace failure as a natural part of your journey. Whether you are an artist, a scientist, an entrepreneur, or any kind of creator, know that the road to innovation is not straight or smooth. You will encounter obstacles, setbacks, and mistakes along the way. But do not fear them. Failure is not the end—it is a lesson, a guidepost on the path to discovery. Every time you fail, you move one step closer to the breakthrough you seek. Give yourself room to fail, and in doing so, you will find the courage to create, to innovate, and to change the world.

So, O Children, take this wisdom into your own work and into your hearts. Do not let the fear of failure keep you from dreaming big or from pursuing the unknown. Know that the greatest minds in history were those who dared to fail, and it was in those failures that they found the strength to innovate. As Iger teaches us, creativity is not about perfection—it is about courage, resilience, and the willingness to step into the unknown. Create boldly, and remember that each failure is merely a step on the path to greatness.