Failure is something that we’ve been penalized for our entire lives. If we failed a test in school our grade was affected in a negative way, the teacher’s attitude towards us changed, and our parents “had a word with us�.

By being scorned for failure we develop a fear of it. We play it safe. Do things that we know will work or have worked before. All of our choices are made to avoid failure at all costs.

And it’s a shame that we’re taught to develop such an attitude; such a fear.

Thomas Edison understood the importance of failure:

“I have not failed. I’ve just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.â€?

Another group that understands and appreciates failure is Wieden + Kennedy. They’re an ad agency that’s based in Portland, Oregon and has made Nike the behemoth it is today.

They offer a program called the wk12. It’s a yearly educational experience where a group of a dozen accepted students from all walks of life learn the ins and outs of the ad business, and more importantly, how to question the norm.

I don’t care if it’s a phony, this is friggin’ hilariuos!

Then, like two months ago, or whenever they announced that Vista is gonna slip into 2007 — and believe me, we’re talking waaaaay into 2007 — I set up a meeting with Gates and I’m like, Dude, I’ve got OS X …