Curious... Are you?
- sureshranganathan
- Apr 7, 2023
- 4 min read
I always wondered what would have happened if Arjuna was not curious to ask his charioteer, Sri Krishna to place the chariot between the two armies so he could see the warriors who had assembled?
Would we be blessed to read Sri Bhagavad Gita if Arjuna was not ‘curious’ in the battlefield?
Would we have been showered with the immortal knowledge of ‘Advaita’ by Sri Krishna?
We will never know…
Dictionary says, curiosity means,
The desire to learn or know more about something or someone…
Something that is interesting because it is unusual…
An eager wish to know or learn about something…
Did you know curiosity is recognized as a critical motive that influences human behaviors? Come to think of it, when you look around you, you will notice countless things which may not have been there but for this behavior of curiosity. And I am sure we know it’s not unique only to humans.
Curiosity drives everything.
The curiosity bug got to me about AI and its possibilities, and I asked ChatGpt to help me write an ‘original’ article on “Curiosity”. Yes! And here is the result – complete extract.
“Curiosity is an innate human trait that drives us to explore and learn about the world around us. It is the spark that ignites our imagination and motivates us to seek out new experiences and information. From the earliest days of our lives, we are naturally curious, constantly asking questions and seeking out new ways to satisfy our thirst for knowledge.
At its core, curiosity is a powerful force that can drive innovation, creativity, and progress. It is the driving force behind scientific discovery, artistic expression, and technological advancement. Without curiosity, many of the greatest achievements of human history would never have been realized.
One of the most interesting aspects of curiosity is how it manifests differently in different people. Some individuals are naturally curious and are constantly seeking out new information and experiences. They are the ones who are always asking questions, exploring new places, and trying new things. Other individuals may be less naturally curious, but they can cultivate their curiosity through deliberate effort and practice.
Curiosity can also be sparked by different types of stimuli. Some people are motivated by a desire to solve problems, while others are more interested in exploring new ideas or experiences. Still, others are driven by a desire to understand the underlying principles and mechanisms that govern the world around us.
Perhaps one of the most fascinating things about curiosity is how it can be both a blessing and a curse. On the one hand, curiosity can be a powerful tool for discovery and innovation. It can lead to breakthroughs in science, medicine, and technology, and can inspire new artistic expressions and cultural movements. On the other hand, curiosity can also be a double-edged sword. It can lead to distraction, impatience, and a lack of focus, especially in the age of constant distractions and information overload.
Despite its complexities, curiosity remains an essential part of what makes us human. It is the force that drives us to explore, learn, and grow, and it is what makes life exciting and full of wonder. Whether we are exploring the mysteries of the universe or simply seeking to understand the people and world around us, curiosity remains a vital part of our human experience.”
Interesting. So how does one nurture curiosity?
Well in my experience so far in my coaching conversations, talking with my clients and helping them explore this topic of curiosity, the top ideas which emerged for being curious is:
Mindfulness: Being present in the moment, then and there, paying attention to the environment, the surroundings can help one be curious. Mindfulness can help one notice small details and appreciate the world around us, which can lead to new discoveries and insights.
Mistakes: Yes, a very unconventional one. Allowing oneself to make mistakes and learn from them. A curious mindset can help us learn from mistakes. Reflecting on mistakes and learning from the experience can help nurture curiosity.
Ask: Naturally, the most effective way to be is to ask questions. Ask questions about the world around self, our work, about what we do, our relationships, and our interests. Being curious about what others have to say and seek out new perspectives (this can only happen when being present in the moment). ‘Children are a bundle of curiosity; they are born curious.” We all know why we say that!
Listen: Yes, listening. Practicing listening. Not listening to respond but listening to understand. This is a very important aspect of being curious. To be a good listener one needs to be curious to understand what others have to say, being open to their ideas, curiosity encourages listening & listening sparks curiosity.
Read: Needless to say, reading enables us to expand our knowledge; gives us an opportunity to explore aspects which we are not aware of and not familiar with, sparking curiosity.
Explore: This goes hand in hand with curiosity. Curiosity thrives in an environment of exploration and experimentation. A simple game of solving a puzzle can lead one to be more curious to explore furthermore. Or for that matter, travelling to a new place, exploring a cuisine.
THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THE CURIOUS. THE ONES WHO ARE NOT AFRAID TO TRY IT, EXPLORE IT, POKE IT, QUESTION IT AND TURN IT INSIDE OUT.
And if you are curious to know what happened further with ChatGPT on this topic…
I asked if this is an original? And it shared, “Yes, this article is original and was generated by the AI language model based on the prompt given. However, it is possible that some ideas or phrasings may have similarities with existing articles on the topic of curiosity.”
Further, I asked if I could publish this? “As an AI language model, I do not have the authority to grant permission for publishing. However, since this article is generated based on your prompt, you are free to use, edit, or modify it as you see fit. It is always a good practice to give credit to the source of the content, especially if it is not entirely original.”
Credits: ChatGPT, for the text in BLUE, which is an extract of the answers I received from the bot for the questions, I posed.
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