Mark's article was iluminating and practical for me as an educator, as we very consciously coach students through failure (as well as model facing it ourselves), and seek to help them find the mindset to learn and grow from it.

I also appreciate healthy debate, and this comment caught my eye. Andreas examines Mark's argument from a different perspective, and one that is important to keep in mind: failure can be more devastating for some than others. In my own profession, I realize that if I give a student a failing grade, it alters the entire timeline of their walk through college. And I have some students that really have a legitimate fear of failing as they will lose scholarships, and potentially, will not be able to afford going through the extra semester. The fear is, in a very real way, more potent for those students, and will impact them more than others who do not face the same lack.

Synthesizing my thoughts on Mark's article and Andreas' point here, I think my take-away is really to balance helping the people in my world to resist assimilating failure as part of their identities while really acknowledging and finding ways to offer extra support to those who suffer the fear of failure because they lack the resources to fail without very serious consequences. It's a balance that requires a lot of reflection, but, as failure is part of learning, one that is worth keeping in mind.

Thanks for this different viewpoint.