Standard Deviations with Dr. Daniel Crosby Dr. Daniel Crosby - The Beauty of Imperfection
Oct 30, 2025
Discover the intriguing origin of kintsugi, born from a serendipitous mishap with a broken teacup. Explore how the philosophy of wabi-sabi teaches us to embrace imperfection and resilience. Learn why nearly winning can boost motivation more than outright success or substantial losses. Delve into research on failure as a teacher, revealing that optimal learning occurs around a 15% failure rate. Hear inspiring stories of famous figures who turned setbacks into monumental successes, urging listeners to adopt a wabi-sabi mindset in personal growth.
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Origin Story Of Kintsugi
- Ashikaga Yoshimasa accidentally shattered a Chinese tea bowl and first had it crudely stapled back together.
- He then commissioned Japanese craftsmen to mend it with gold, birthing the art of kintsugi and celebrating the flaw.
Wabi-Sabi Versus Western Ideals
- Wabi-sabi values impermanence, humility, asymmetry, and imperfection over Western ideals of permanence and perfection.
- This contrast reframes flaws as virtues rather than failures.
Early Setbacks Can Boost Long-Term Success
- A 2019 study found junior scientists who narrowly missed grants later published more successful papers than early grantees.
- Early setbacks can catalyze greater long-term achievement when individuals persist and improve.
