BUILD CURIOSITY:

One of my best traits is Curiosity. One of my worst traits is Curiosity.

This contradiction is inspired purely from Dickens. "It was the best of times, it was the worst of times."

Curiosity is the Royal Virtue of the Creator who pursues self-expression. In many cases, curiosity has led me down paths of discovery where I didn't know unique facts nor the context of those facts in relation to history, geography and more.

One time, I had to examine the history of...wait for it...meatloaf. Not the singer and showman but the food recipe. The story was about an old recipe in the family - meatloaf - that figured in as a clue to find hidden treasure. I was hired to rewrite the script so I had to find some threads tying the recipe (which was in a clutch of recipes in the family Bible as the clue.

Lo and behold, I read about meatloaf to seek and explore some facts about the common 'American' meatloaf. In this case, the dish had cultural strings from the Pennsylvania Dutch in America to the home country of Germany. The plot was stolen jewels from a German royal or noble family during the heyday of the Holy Roman Empire with its 300+ entities of Imperial rulers such as Kingdom, Principalities, Margravates, Electors and more.

So do I let curiosity take me down the river of knowledge or do I guide my curiosity on my map? Both I would say with the awareness of Self. What do I need to do on a timeline? What can I discover in a haphazard joy of exploring the vast caverns of knowledge with my trusty torch in hand.

Of course, I went down the Holy Roman Empire rabbit hole with its history, geography and cultural repercussions. I found it a fascinating read which satisfied my love of history. Some curious facts:

What is curiosity anyway? Curiosity is an emotional state of being curious: inquisitive, wondering, ready to explore and engage the mind to figure out some unknown property.

The Power of Curiosity and How to Cultivate It

Curiosity is one of humanity’s most defining traits. It’s the spark behind invention, the foundation of learning, and the force that drives us to explore the vast mysteries of the world and beyond. From childhood's endless "why" questions to life's deeper intellectual pursuits, curiosity shapes who we are and how we experience the world.

Yet many of us, over time, allow curiosity to fade, consumed by the routines of life and fear of uncertainty. Why be curious when my phone with Alexa or Siri can tell me everything?

Because to know…is to grow.

Having information at your fingertips is different than having it in your head. That’s like reading about pushups and then actually doing them.

Curiosity is our greatest ally in fulfilling our goals. With curiosity, we find opportunity and connectivity. The glue on the back of Post-Its was originally supposed to be a very strong glue. But it’s use and peel utility changed office work, communications and brainstorming as well as those pesky notes on the fridge for kids.

What Is Curiosity?

Curiosity is more than just a desire for knowledge—it’s a state of active interest in the unknown. It compels us to ask questions, explore, and discover. Whether it’s as profound as unraveling the laws of the universe or as simple as wondering how a bee flies, curiosity pulls us toward understanding.

Evolutionarily, curiosity is believed to have been crucial to human survival. Early humans had to constantly question their environment to locate food, stay safe, and adapt to changes. Curiosity created knowledge which created skill sets like lighting a fire, making a secure encampment, learning the terrain.

Today, curiosity is everywhere: art, science, and culture which we use to understand and express ideas about ourselves and the world.

Today, curiosity remains central to our progress as individuals and societies. Curiosity primes our brains for learning, making the act of acquiring knowledge feel more like a reward than a chore.

Nobel Laureate Albert Einstein famously said, "I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious."

The Psychology of Curiosity

Curiosity is multifaceted and intricately tied to our psychology. At its core, curiosity involves two primary elements:

1. Knowledge Gap

Curiosity arises when we detect a gap between what we know and what we want to know. Psychologist George Loewenstein coined the term "information gap theory" to describe this phenomenon. Imagine being told the Holy Roman Empire wasn’t really "holy," "Roman," or even an empire in the traditional sense as Voltaire said. Chances are, you’re intrigued. This gap in your understanding sparks the motivation to resolve it.

2. Reward System

Curiosity activates the brain's reward centers, particularly the release of dopamine, which is often referred to as the "feel-good" chemical. The process of discovering new information and satisfying our questions delivers pleasurable sensations, reinforcing our desire to learn more.

This reward loop – if you can be aware of it – drives us along the path toward more knowledge. Imagine using this reward consciously in one of your pursuits. Your knowledge and skill just keeps on building and building.

Interestingly, curiosity also involves what psychologists call “productive discomfort.” Or outside our comfort zone. That’s when that Inner Voice hits (which I call the Inner Roomate) because one is going into the unknown. Awareness for the feeling means you can deal with the feeling. And learn to welcome it. In this discomfort, we grow.

3. Dimensions of Curiosity

Psychologists have identified different types of curiosity, including:

• Diversive Curiosity: A desire to explore something entirely unfamiliar (like trying a new hobby).

• Epistemic Curiosity: A deep hunger to gain knowledge or solve complex problems.

• Specific Curiosity: The need to find an immediate answer to a pressing question (e.g., “Why does my phone keep freezing?”).

Learning to nurture these types of curiosity enhances our ability to confront life with curiosity rather than fear.

A Unique Case Study: The Holy Roman Empire

Yep, you knew we were going to come back to this one. To further illustrate the power of curiosity, consider the complexities of the Holy Roman Empire, one of history’s most intriguing political entities.

Contrary to its name, the Holy Roman Empire (800–1806 AD) often confuses those who take its title at face value. Its territory wasn't centered in Rome but spread across Central Europe, primarily in what is now Germany. It wasn’t fully "holy" despite being sanctioned by the Pope, and it lacked the centralized power usually associated with an empire.

Here are a few fascinating nuggets that highlight why this puzzling historical enigma remains a source of curiosity:

• Its most famed ruler, Charlemagne, straddled both Frankish and Roman traditions, creating a hybrid cultural identity.

• With over 300 semi-autonomous states, governance under the Holy Roman Empire was anything but centralized; it was a fragile web of political alliances.

• Its decline was partly due to Napoleon Bonaparte, a charismatic leader who reshaped Europe’s boundaries and made the empire obsolete. He effectively created the Confederation of the Rhine, ending the empire’s existence. This situation forced smaller states to be joined with bigger states.

• There were four imperial languages – German, Latin, Italian and Czech.

Such unique historical curiosities challenge our assumptions, inviting us to dig deeper and reflect on the dynamics of power, identity, and change. For me, the understanding of history is a look into the future.

The act of exploring these stories exercises our intellectual curiosity, enriching our understanding of both history and our own paths. Here I was thinking about a clue in a recipe book focusing on meatloaf which led me to the intricacies of the Holy Roman Empire for a jeweled treasure.

Why Should We Cultivate Curiosity?

The benefits of curiosity go far beyond satisfying a fleeting question—it’s a powerful force for personal and professional growth.

1. Curiosity Drives Learning

At school, many of us memorized facts to pass exams without truly understanding or appreciating the knowledge. Curiosity changes the game. When you’re genuinely interested in a topic, learning becomes effortless and even enjoyable.

Apply this curiosity to your goals. Find a ‘wing’ about your goal and research it. You might find gold.

For example, someone deeply curious about astronomy might lose hours in books, videos, and amateur stargazing projects. This genuine curiosity transforms learning from obligation to passion.

2. It Fuels Creativity and Innovation

Curiosity asks, "What if?"—and that’s the foundation of creativity.

Many groundbreaking innovations have come from curious minds willing to ask the unconventional question. Steve Jobs famously combined his curiosity for technology with his love for calligraphy to create the elegant designs we see in Apple products today.

Johannes Gutenberg combined the wine press for crushing grapes with movable type to increase printing productivity. Swiss engineer Georges de Mestral create Velcro when he saw burrs clinging to his clothes to create a reusable fastener.

3. Curiosity Builds Empathy

Curiosity about people’s lives, cultures, and experiences fosters connection and understanding.

Instead of judging someone for their differences, curiosity encourages us to ask, “Why do they think that way?” or “What can I learn from them?” I find that seeing inventions in other cultures and times make me admire them more. Blaise Pascal created a mechanical calculator in the mid 1600’s. Say what?

4. It Makes Us Resilient

Life often presents uncertainty and challenges. A curious mindset reframes these moments as opportunities for growth instead of insurmountable obstacles. Curiosity inspires us to ask, “What lessons can I take from this?” “How can I learn?” “What can I apply?”

How to Cultivate Curiosity

If being curious doesn’t come naturally to you anymore, don’t worry—like any skill, curiosity can be developed. Here are a few practical tips to awaken your Creative Explorer. Remember that curiosity is like a muscle in the gym. Practice!

1. Ask More Questions

Adopt a beginner’s mindset. Approach every situation as if you know nothing. Instead of assuming, ask open-ended questions like “Why does that happen?” or “How does it work?”

2. Engage in Active Observation

Slow down and truly notice details in your environment. What does the sky look like during sunset? How are people interacting at a crowded station? Small observations can spark big questions.

3. Read Widely and Wander Regularly

Expose yourself to subjects outside your comfort zone. Explore random articles or pick books about topics you've never considered before.

4. Venture into the Unfamiliar

Try new activities or experience other cultures. For example, attend a cooking class for a cuisine you've never tried.

5. Reframe Failures as Learnings

Curiosity thrives when we stop fearing failure. Instead of seeing mistakes as setbacks, view them as stepping stones for discovery.

6. Surround Yourself with Curious People

Ideas are contagious. Spend time with individuals who are passionate about learning and exploring—you'll naturally start adopting their mindset.

Curiosity is a transformational skill which we can cultivate every day in our own unique individual paths. You will find rewards and joy as you pursue your goals of fulfillment far down the road.

You should never look at meatloaf the same.

Visit my website: CreativeExplorer-MichaelMandaville.com