Imperfect Heroes: Why Trying (and Failing) Still Saves the World

We live in an age of impossible standards. Social media celebrates the flawless, while climate discourse often shames those who fall short. But Jonathan Safran Foer’s We Are the Weather offers a liberating counter-narrative: progress depends on imperfection. The only perfect thing to do is to try, he writes, and this may be the book’s most radical message.

Foer is candid about his own lapses. He sometimes eats animal products, forgets his intentions, and feels the sting of hypocrisy. But instead of giving up, he keeps going. This is the real path of change—messy, nonlinear, and full of setbacks. Social movements throughout history have been built by imperfect people taking imperfect steps. The danger is not in falling short, but in letting that stop us from trying.

Behavioral science backs this up. Small, consistent changes are more likely to stick than dramatic overhauls. Self-forgiveness and community support are essential for persistence. When we embrace our own flaws and encourage others to do the same, we create a culture of hope and resilience.

Foer’s message is ultimately hopeful. The climate crisis is daunting, but it is not a test of purity. It is a test of participation. Every effort counts, and the world will be saved not by a few perfect heroes, but by millions of imperfect ones.