Curiosity : 7 centuries later

I don’t think you’ll find anyone that disagrees that curiosity is a fundamental driver of innovation and exploration.

For me, it is singularly the most empowering and magical force that has enabled us to explore, conquer, define and design the Universe in which we live.

I looked up the dictionary definition of curiosity and discovered it originated almost 7 centuries ago. Back then it had a very negative connotation:

spying, peeping. Curious, inquisitive, meddlesome, prying refer to taking an undue (and petty) interest in others’ affairs. Curious implies a desire to know what is not properly one’s concern: curious about a neighbor’s habits. Inquisitive implies asking impertinent questions in an effort to satisfy curiosity: inquisitive about a neighbor’s habits. Meddlesome implies thrusting oneself into and taking an active part in other people’s affairs entirely unasked and unwelcomed: a meddlesome cousin who tries to run the affairs of a family. Prying implies a meddlesome and persistent inquiring into others’ affairs: a prying reporter inquiring into the secrets of a business firm.

Luckily we’ve moved beyond this negativity and I applaud curiosity and its power to drive innovation, learning, science, art, expression.