Curious: The Desire to Know and Why Your Future Depends On It by Ian Leslie

Curious is a captivating exploration into the nature and importance of curiosity in our lives, both personally and professionally. Ian Leslie dives deep into the concept of curiosity, blending historical anecdotes, scientific research, and philosophical insights to demonstrate why cultivating our desire to know is crucial for success and happiness. Leslie begins by distinguishing between two types of curiosity: "diversive curiosity" and "epistemic curiosity." Diversive curiosity is a superficial quest for novelty, driven by boredom and the desire for new experiences. In contrast, epistemic curiosity is a deeper, more focused drive to understand complex ideas and solve problems. Leslie compares diversive curiosity to snacking, providing immediate but fleeting satisfaction, whereas epistemic curiosity is similar to a balanced meal, offering lasting nourishment and growth. Leslie then explores the "curiosity gap," a growing divide between those who actively seek knowledge and those who passively consume information. This gap, he argues, is made worse by modern education systems and digital technologies that prioritize quick answers over deep understanding. Leslie stresses the importance of fostering environments that encourage questioning and critical thinking, rather than merely rewarding correct answers.

One of the most intriguing concepts in "Curious" is the "information paradox." Despite having more access to information than ever before, people are often less informed and more prone to superficial thinking. Leslie explains that true curiosity requires focus and a willingness to delve into challenging subjects. He encourages readers to embrace "slow thinking" and deep learning as antidotes to the distractions of the digital age.

Leslie also discusses the role of "curiosity zones," environments that either stimulate or stifle curiosity. He provides historical examples, such as the intellectual ferment of the Renaissance and the Enlightenment, where questioning and exploration led to significant advancements. In contrast, he critiques contemporary education systems that often stifle curiosity through standardized testing and rigid curricula.

A significant part of the book is devoted to practical strategies for nurturing curiosity, both individually and collectively. Leslie outlines seven ways to stay curious:

1. Stay Foolish: Embrace the unknown and be willing to make mistakes.

2. Build the Database: Accumulate a broad base of knowledge to draw upon.

3. Forage like a Foxhog: Combine the breadth of a fox’s curiosity with the depth of a hedgehog’s focus.

4. Ask the Big Why: Constantly question and seek deeper understanding.

5. Be a Thinker-Tinker: Engage in hands-on experimentation and problem-solving.

6. Turn Puzzles into Mysteries: Treat problems as ongoing quests rather than tasks to be completed.

7. Be Social: Engage with diverse perspectives and collaborative thinking.

Leslie emphasizes that new knowledge is assimilated better and has more creative possibilities the larger the store of existing knowledge it joins. "Knowledge loves knowledge. Facts stored in long-term memory are not islands unto themselves; they join up with facts to form associative networks of understanding." This interconnectedness of knowledge fosters deeper comprehension and more innovative thinking. Leslie warns against the over-reliance on digital searches, noting that "Anyone who stops learning facts for himself because he can Google them later is literally making himself stupid."

Creativity, according to Leslie, starts in combination. "All our new ideas are made up of old ones. The more existing ideas you have in your head, the more varied and richer will be your novel combinations of them, the greater your store of reference points and analogies."

The book also touches on societal trends that impact curiosity. For instance, there is a growing divide in media consumption among children from different socioeconomic backgrounds. The poorer a household is, the more time its children spend glued to devices. According to a Kaiser study, children and teenagers whose parents do not have a college degree spent ninety minutes more per day exposed to media than children from higher socioeconomic families. This divide is widening.

"Curious: The Desire to Know and Why Your Future Depends On It" is an enlightening and thought-provoking read that underscores the importance of curiosity in navigating the complexities of the modern world. Ian Leslie's engaging narrative and practical insights make a compelling case for why we should all strive to be more curious. This book is a must-read for anyone looking to enhance their understanding, creativity, and problem-solving abilities in an increasingly uncertain and dynamic world.

As Leslie quotes, "Every really good creative person whom I have ever known has always had two noticeable characteristics. First, there was no subject under the sun in which he could not easily get interested—from, say, Egyptian burial customs to modern art. Every facet of life had a fascination for him. Second, he was an extensive browser in all sorts of fields of information." This curiosity-driven approach to life is precisely what Leslie champions throughout his book.