Experiences are good but it is the successful experiences that we cherish. Failure is a lesson, but the experiences we cherish is success. Some cherish the lesson and that is fine but more often then not the value we gain from failure is what we cherish.

If you gain the tool (learn the information), then you need to learn to use the tool efficiently. After all you don't dig a hole with a hammer, You don't bang a nail with a shovel (given the choice). You have to learn to use a tool properly, if not you won't have any use for it at all.

I'd rather jump out a plane with a parachute and a chance at pulling it on time, then jump out without a parachute and no chance of pulling. I am sure most sky divers feel the same.

Once you gain balls, you must gain the information. That may be through experiences over and over again. That may be through reading and studying. After that you have to learn to use it properly and at the right time. Why add the extra step of learning the information through failure? Why not learn the information first and fail with it? Then slowly correct it's use. You will learn what "works" but you won't learn why. That is a problem, it lengthens the learning curve. Then you learn to use the tools properly and are a success all around.

I do want to add this is a fun conversation. Enjoying it immensely.