Why Follow Clues?

It seems silly to ask. We follow clues in order that we can discover; what else?

But turn the question around and we find something odd. Instead of asking why we follow clues, ask how we discover.

If we ask how we discover, the usual answer is not, we discover by following clues! Instead, it is something about observations, about not having preconceived ideas, about the need for objectivity, mixed in with something about logic and reasoning, and what else.

Strange!

So, seriously, how do we discover?

I say we discover by following clues. Which means, we have to know what clues are.