"The point of an experiment is not to arrive at a predetermined end point, to prove or disprove anything, but to deliver a poem that reveals much about the process taken"

John Barton's reflection on experimentation suggests that true value lies not in confirmation or refutation, but in the richness of the journey itself. Art, science, and life all involve a process of discovery that is more nuanced, dynamic, and revealing than any preconceived conclusion. Rather than approaching an experiment with the sole intention of proving a hypothesis or achieving a specific objective, Barton urges the practitioner to remain open to surprise, ambiguity, and transformation. The outcome—the "poem"—becomes an artifact, laden with meaning not because it conforms to expectation, but because it encapsulates the unfolding of curiosity, error, intuition, and insight encountered along the way.

A poem is an apt metaphor. Poems are not linear arguments; they meander, they ask, they hint, and sometimes they contradict. Similarly, an experiment, when approached authentically, exposes the textures and subtleties of process: careful planning, accidental discoveries, failures reconceived as new pathways, the willingness to let go of control. This attitude embraces uncertainty as fertile ground for creation, rather than as a flaw to be eliminated. Each step—missteps included—becomes part of a narrative greater than simple success or failure.

The underlying implication is that fixation on predetermined results can deaden the spirit of inquiry. When outcomes are forced, the process becomes mechanical and the opportunities for serendipitous revelation disappear. In contrast, when the experiment is a poetry of unfolding, it both documents and transcends its own making. What is revealed is not only a product, but an honest testament to how knowledge, art, or understanding is constructed. Barton's vision honors process over product, embracing possibility, imperfection, and the unforeseen—allowing both the experimenter and the audience to engage more deeply with the full spectrum of experience it yields.