Tag Archives: solar-system

On The Meaning of Failure: Insights from Planetary Evolution

For some obscure reason, most people are generally inclined to hesitate on taking decisive actions toward their envisioned and just goals, often paralyzed in decision-making by the fear of failure, self-doubt and most commonly, inner resistance1.

Failure is an inherent prerequisite for success, a principle evident not only in the evolutionary trajectories of living organisms but also in the history of celestial bodies. In our everyday language, it may be time to reconsider the term ‘failure’ and replace it with a more inclusive and constructive word, as what is often perceived as failure is, in fact, an integral step in the journey toward success. Even when a particular step does not immediately appear to contribute to the progress of success, it may later be recontextualized to serve a different purpose. Thus, one could argue that there is no true waste in, so-called, failure; it simply requires a deeper examination to uncover its potential in retrospect.

Let’s consider a broader perspective for a moment—one that includes the formation and evolution of planets in our solar system. In our planetary system’s early days, Mars and Mercury (yes, most likely, Mercury as well despite its smaller mass*) may have resembled Earth, with oceans, water, and perhaps even thriving life.2 However, due to its smaller size, these planets couldn’t sustain favorable conditions, eventually transforming into the red and gray, barren planets we know today. A mistake of nature?

Image 1: Image of Mercury taken by Nasa’s Messenger, and later colored in with respect to topographical and mineral composition data.

In contrast, Earth continues to support a vast ecosystem of life, demonstrating that, in some instances, success aligns with specific conditions and perseverance. Mars, though no longer able to harbor favorable conditions as Earth does, still holds significant value in respect to the future, reminding us that what may appear as a failure might yet serve a purpose in ways we cannot yet fully predict. Today, visionary thinkers like Elon Musk are exploring the possibility of revitalizing Mars, aiming to use it as a new frontier for life beyond Earth.

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