Resilience, not perfection: italian psychiatrist challenges silicon valley’s error-free ideal
The relentless pursuit of flawlessness, a near-religious tenet of Silicon Valley and increasingly pervasive across society, is actively hindering human growth, according to Italian psychiatrist Paolo Crepet. His provocative assertion, rooted in a traditional Japanese proverb, cuts to the core of a cultural obsession with avoiding failure, an obsession he argues is fostering a generation paralyzed by the fear of making mistakes.
The paradox of protected youth
Crepet’s critique isn’t a celebration of failure itself, but a stark warning about the environments we’re creating – particularly within education – that actively shield individuals from adversity. The impulse to eliminate error from the learning process, while well-intentioned, is, in his view, counterproductive. Depriving young people of the experience of navigating challenges simply leaves them ill-equipped to handle the inevitable setbacks of life.
The parallel to the current tech landscape is undeniable. The recent wave of admissions from business leaders acknowledging that AI isn’t delivering on promises of increased productivity or employment—echoing a similar disillusionment felt 40 years ago regarding automation—underscores the dangers of chasing technological panaceas while neglecting the fundamental human capacity for adaptation and resilience.
Falling seven times, rising eight: a lesson in persistence
The Japanese proverb Crepet invokes, “Fall seven times, stand up eight,” embodies this resilience. It’s not about avoiding the fall; it’s about the unwavering commitment to rise again. This philosophy directly challenges the increasingly prevalent mindset that equates failure with inadequacy. Progress, after all, rarely follows a straight line. It’s a messy, iterative process of trial, error, and recalibration.
Consider the countless innovations that emerged from a crucible of failed prototypes and rejected designs. The very nature of creativity hinges on the willingness to experiment, to risk failure, and to learn from missteps. An education system that prioritizes rote memorization and standardized testing over critical thinking and problem-solving actively discourages this essential process.
Crepet's call isn't simply for a rethinking of education, but a broader societal shift. It's a recognition that confronting frustration, managing errors, and embracing the inherent uncertainty of life are not obstacles to overcome, but essential components of personal development. The current trend, he suggests, is producing individuals more comfortable in the curated echo chambers of the digital world than in the unpredictable realities of the physical one.
The rise in young people seeking therapy, not for debilitating conditions, but to navigate the pressures of a world demanding constant optimization and success, speaks volumes. They’re trading the psychologist's couch for the perceived instant gratification of AI-driven self-improvement tools, a dangerous substitute for genuine self-reflection and resilience-building.
Ultimately, Crepet's message is clear: true strength isn’t found in avoiding the fall, but in mastering the art of getting back up. And that requires a willingness to embrace the messy, imperfect, and ultimately human process of learning through experience—even when that experience involves falling, repeatedly.