Bock reframed failure using the language of chemistry, calling it not a state function (a noun) but a catalyst for future success — 'an unforeseen reaction with a lot of useful by-products.' He illustrated this with his own story: despite desperately wanting to become a doctor, he was rejected from every medical school he applied to and was devastated. But that rejection forced him onto a different path. He became one of the early employees at a largely unknown company called Genentech, which led to a career as a biotech entrepreneur. He ended up contributing more to medicine through his startup companies — developing products that helped patients — than he likely would have as a practicing physician. The lesson was not that failure is pleasant, but that perseverance and willingness to adapt can transform apparent setbacks into opportunities that exceed the original ambition.