I don't think I could live without curiosity. There is so much out there to learn about. The only thing that makes me sad about getting older, is that I will never know a fraction of what there is. Doesn't stop me from trying though.
@@PatGilliland I started to read more books late. I am reading more since the midle of 2020 and, yes I regret that I didn't do it early, but, as you say, I will never stop try to read and get more info from now on!
I love this topic, thank you for sharing your thoughts! I often find that there’s this shame that people put onto others for not following consensus opinion, which destroys curiosity. Say a film has been released and everyone’s saying how awful it is or how something problematic occurred so don’t watch it! - it’s not encouraged to take a look for yourself and to make your own judgement about it, to extend your curiosity somewhere and learn from it. There’s a sense that certain things have been spoken for and therefore you’re unable to garner anything from it. I understand how opinions and reviews can be helpful but at some points I catch myself dismissing something unfairly because of them and it’s interesting to be aware of this and to pick it apart. You’re so right that curiosity isn’t always convenient, but for those of us that are constantly scratching our minds raw with questions, curiosity is worth pursuing deeply and more satisfyingly.
This is an exceptionally well thought-out and eloquent argument for allowing for curiosity. I read and surround myself with books but continuously feel ‘stupid’ and condescended to by people who have reached a conclusion on a topic faster, but also have less understanding of how said conclusion was formed. I also am guilty of shaming people for asking questions that are on the surface offensive, and could certainly try to respond in good faith rather than dismissing the question-asker as prejudice.
One of my favourite scents from the 1960s - the smell of the local library, where I would browse for books ahead of the weekend. Fondest of memories all these many years later.
Great take Cinzia. Look forward for more deep dives like this. Far too many listen to reply, to enforce their world view upon others instead of listening to understand. Are people speaking to prove something to themselves and others, something that is already there to begin with, something that does not need proving whatsoever, hm? Nothing like a campfire, a great book and some tea under full moon light followed by a dew filled forest walk in the morning. Can warmly recommend this. Wish you a wonderful weekend!
On a day where I have struggled to engage with my studies, hearing you drop the phrase "archeology of wisdom" instantly got me back in the zone. What an exciting way of thinking about learning!! Thanks for another great vid 😊
Love the phrase "the archaeology of wisdom" I do feel that. There is so much demand for being ahead of he game or streamlined productivity that the process of learning or seeking information is skipped over. Appreciate the reminder to slow down and value curiosity. Keep those books open and close a few browser tabs :)
I found this video immensely inspiring - thank you!!! I am a Classics undergraduate in my first year of uni, and I am finding myself simultaneously immensely inspired but also slightly paralyzed by the amount of resources I suddenly have at my fingertips. I have just started researching for my first full-length essay this year, and watching this video has made me excited to be able to carve my own path and try and create something that truly represents my own views in this essay, rather than simply finding the easiest thing to argue and then doing it, as you are so often encouraged to do in A-level subjects. So in conclusion, thank you for this inspirational video, but also generally inspiring me to put my heart into what I do, and learn from my life and mistakes to always work at bettering myself - Daisy :)
I absolutely never comment, but I will for this video. I loved everything you said. It put some emotions I have been feeling for years into words. As someone who has tried and who keeps trying to continue being curious even as an adult and has been mocked for it, I found your words inspiring. I want to keep being curious and become kinder to those around me. Thank you.
As different topics run across my head within the fast paced information flow, I often crave for some depth on these topics. As you say, often there is no time to go deeper, but when there is, it is sooo satisfactory!
So enjoyed this video! I'm learning the same about growing my own food. You can learn a lot from other gardeners but, there is no substitute for getting your hands dirty and making the mistakes that can only be made in your own garden. Stay curious and kind.
Beautiful monologue. Some nice metaphors, and I do think there is something in what you say. Fear kills curiosity. The younger you are, the less fear you have accumulated. Teaching our youth to be curious, to engage with their surroundings, and to play in an environment made safe for them, is vital to the future of our species. Making a space where adults can also express their curiosity without fear of judgement or reprisal is also a worthy goal. Question, question, question. May the answers you receive surprise you.
This reminds me a little bit of "the gas station encounter", once upon a time when I was refueling my motorbike a woman asked me if I could help her refuel hers since she only just started riding. I'm still a bit sad that I was so nervous about that situation that I could not offer any more help than that. Thank you for another interesting video and until next time.
Intelligence is evidenced by curiosity. Creativity is evidenced by novel solutions and "thinking outside the box." "consistancy is the bugaboo of the small mind."
I know it’s silly but I like that line from Jurassic Park “You didn't earn the knowledge for yourselves, so you don't take any responsibility for it”. Reading a book, taking time to struggle and grapple with the concepts presented, requires you to take responsibility for the conclusions you draw. You don’t have that luxury of saying “well, this person told me what to think” and then feel like an expert. Even the opinions you do form should come with the assumption that you will always have room to explore more ideas and reevaluate your conclusions. Curiosity should be baked into your understanding of the world.
I was just trying to cheer you up yesterday. On a serious note though, you do pose some good questions and have a good set of points. In this internet generation curiosity etc is often met with disastrous results. You know yourself how cruel people can be on here. I do think it's healthy to be curious, but you have to also be aware that your curiosity can sometimes get you a bad response. I'm very curious and I've even been left shell shocked by responses on here before. It's why I won't do Facebook, X etc. But you have to remember that you have a right to be curious and the abuse towards your curiosity is being done by no marks with nothing better to do than judge.
The other thing about researching yourself is that you find other nuggets of golden information along the way. Without effort we ca have no true reward. No 'well done me!'.
I haven’t lost curiosity. My problem is that aging, poor health, and the pressures of life in this age of electronic information overload has sapped my energy and concentration levels, and I’m often just too tired and easily worn out, and can’t read any more, or study any deeper. Aging and adulting both suck!
I think a big part of this issue is time. Time has become expensive, in that it's easier and therefore cheaper to quickly find something on Google or watch a 10min video than it is to go to the library or bookstore. I imagined myself having to go to the library to research something like gouache painting techniques, and even though the entire process of that is absolutely attractive, my next thoughts were immediately, but where will I find the time? I would have to travel to the library, spend hours there finding the right material, come home and then start sifting through all of that information, relevant or not. And again, even though to me that sounds amazing, it was interesting to note that the first place my mind went to was, but that is going to take so much time, and do I have time for the luxury of time?
Imo, we spend too much of our time servicing the expectations of others. That is why I have become more minimalist as I get older - to simplify the mundane ( cooking, cleaning, wearing the clothes expected of me et al) so that I can have more time to indulge my curiosity.
omg it's the exact same for visual art. people are so upset that someone may try to make art if they are not leonardo da vinci level from birth (which, guess what, even he was not THAT good since birth). and now with AI they got the exact equivalent to a google search to produce an image. no one is ever allowed to be curious about their own skills and imagination. no one is allowed to just doodle for fun without being berated. I hate this so much. anyone who is reading this, please if you like art make some and don't be discouraged. it does not matter how good it is the important thing is that you made it. the same as the example here. just because one is not a field expert it does not mean they can never ever research and reach their own conclusions. you too reach your own goal with art if it interests you!!
No way, my best skill is my willingness to learn, I list it first everytime I'm asked about my capabilities. Just this morning alone I started to wonder why "cantimplora" is the Spanish word for flask, and Spanish is my native language lol
I believe the root of the problem lie in our education system. It's obviously not the same depending on where one's living but there are more places on earth that have an educational culture that prioritises order over creativity, collectivism over individuality, rigidity of thought over diversity in textural interpretations. Children are actively taught in an environment where they are competing with each other, not in a relaxed space where everyone comes to learn. It's a space that is designed for uniformity so that there is hardly any consideration for the needs of different children. Years of being put down by teachers and peers does take a toll on an individual's self esteem and their willingness to explore their curiosity in an engaging way.
I personally also feel this same way. Right now, I am applying it to (sorry for traumatizing people) the recent U.S. elections. The vibes here are that people don't tend to value curiosity or intellectualism. I believe that this is why voters here tend to vote either "against their own interests" or "vote for the lesser evil" whichever way you see it. I believe that there's this horrible stigma against intellectualism that a lot of Americans are even afraid to discuss or think about (hence it's a taboo topic). Personally, I'm still curious because I am still committed to "destroying taboo topics" if you know what I mean...
Great video, I want to add however that we as a society need to draw the line between encouraging people to explore and experiment in good faith and encouraging people to spread misinformation to simply stir up controversy. Like you said, it’s possible to let people express inconvenient truths if it’s done respectfully, but we have to be able to tell the difference (a true difference, not a difference that is a matter of opinion) that galvanize people to rethink their assumptions in a way that yields pro social changes, and not ones that hold us back. You said the people who spread the most hateful rhetoric are a minority, but that rhetoric is clearly having an outsized impact on a lot of us who choose to hear them out. I also don't agree with your implication that curiosity is totally dead or in the process of being killed. I believe curiosity is more of an internal trait that exists among like-minded people and less of a core societal value; this is because we can expect to see the results of that curiosity that lead to the many examples of pro-social accomplishments you can easily name, but we can't see the intellectual process behind them (unless someone shows us, of course). Therefore, curiosity is simply siloed away from mainstream thought and resides within people or communities with a lot of good insights to explore and share with others, but who don't have a large platform. Cinzia, I think you should give yourself some credit for even being curious about the death of curiosity. Your work is proof that curiosity still exists :)
I have no doubt that this is a common experience for many, this trepidation toward exposing their lack of knowledge through inquiry and investigation. That said, I myself have never felt fear or hesitation when endeavoring to study up on a topic of which I wish to know more. I'm not entirely certain what that says about me (probably an unhealthy measure of arrogance) but my own curiosity will never be held in abeyance, shackled and neutered by fear. I see, too often, the results of ignorance and stupidity masquerading as certainty in one's knowledge and aptitude or mastery of a subject. I'll have no truck with that. Nope, give me a library and a quiet reading area, or a wi-fi connection, and I'll investigate to my own satisfaction.
The only problem with consulting non internet material is that so much rubbish is published ( mostly well meaning ) that it makes it progressively more of a chore to sort through the dross every year. There’s much more drivel on the internet, but it’s quicker to process. The much better sources seem to be sequestered behind language doors. Eg Dense English verbiage.
Unfortunately, even if you research and present the right answer, there are those who will simply dismiss it because it doesn't fit their view of the world. They will say "Do the research" because they want you to conform to their opinion.
The most convenient is not always the most healthy. What is true for junk food is also true for information. We are slowly letting machines make the thinking for us because it is the more convenient way. This makes me think of Dune and the ban on computers there.
I think curiosity is healthy. Same as I think curiosity can also be dangerous. Curiosity is a very human trait. Curiosity will never die. Unless you are a cat. Cats can get killed for being curious.
BEEP! I thought my smoke detector was acting up. 😆 It's funny that, even in academia, you CAN'T write what I would call an "independent essay" anymore. You have to cite where you got literally every idea, so you're not exactly free to drop your own opinion into that work. But doesn't that mean that such scholarship is only a regurgitation of past scholarship? And what on Earth is thew point of that? It's boring.
As someone living in the US. I can tell you, we know all about loss of curiosity and the embracing of ignorance. 😓
I don't think I could live without curiosity. There is so much out there to learn about. The only thing that makes me sad about getting older, is that I will never know a fraction of what there is. Doesn't stop me from trying though.
@@PatGilliland I started to read more books late. I am reading more since the midle of 2020 and, yes I regret that I didn't do it early, but, as you say, I will never stop try to read and get more info from now on!
I love this topic, thank you for sharing your thoughts! I often find that there’s this shame that people put onto others for not following consensus opinion, which destroys curiosity. Say a film has been released and everyone’s saying how awful it is or how something problematic occurred so don’t watch it! - it’s not encouraged to take a look for yourself and to make your own judgement about it, to extend your curiosity somewhere and learn from it. There’s a sense that certain things have been spoken for and therefore you’re unable to garner anything from it. I understand how opinions and reviews can be helpful but at some points I catch myself dismissing something unfairly because of them and it’s interesting to be aware of this and to pick it apart. You’re so right that curiosity isn’t always convenient, but for those of us that are constantly scratching our minds raw with questions, curiosity is worth pursuing deeply and more satisfyingly.
Love that this compelling video essay was essentially a PSA to visit the library! ❤️
This is an exceptionally well thought-out and eloquent argument for allowing for curiosity. I read and surround myself with books but continuously feel ‘stupid’ and condescended to by people who have reached a conclusion on a topic faster, but also have less understanding of how said conclusion was formed. I also am guilty of shaming people for asking questions that are on the surface offensive, and could certainly try to respond in good faith rather than dismissing the question-asker as prejudice.
One of my favourite scents from the 1960s - the smell of the local library, where I would browse for books ahead of the weekend. Fondest of memories all these many years later.
Great take Cinzia. Look forward for more deep dives like this. Far too many listen to reply, to enforce their world view upon others instead of listening to understand. Are people speaking to prove something to themselves and others, something that is already there to begin with, something that does not need proving whatsoever, hm?
Nothing like a campfire, a great book and some tea under full moon light followed by a dew filled forest walk in the morning. Can warmly recommend this. Wish you a wonderful weekend!
Archaeology of Wisdom is the coolest phrase ever. I must use this
Curiosity is no ordinary word. Thanks again.
On a day where I have struggled to engage with my studies, hearing you drop the phrase "archeology of wisdom" instantly got me back in the zone. What an exciting way of thinking about learning!! Thanks for another great vid 😊
Love the phrase "the archaeology of wisdom" I do feel that. There is so much demand for being ahead of he game or streamlined productivity that the process of learning or seeking information is skipped over. Appreciate the reminder to slow down and value curiosity. Keep those books open and close a few browser tabs :)
I found this video immensely inspiring - thank you!!! I am a Classics undergraduate in my first year of uni, and I am finding myself simultaneously immensely inspired but also slightly paralyzed by the amount of resources I suddenly have at my fingertips. I have just started researching for my first full-length essay this year, and watching this video has made me excited to be able to carve my own path and try and create something that truly represents my own views in this essay, rather than simply finding the easiest thing to argue and then doing it, as you are so often encouraged to do in A-level subjects.
So in conclusion, thank you for this inspirational video, but also generally inspiring me to put my heart into what I do, and learn from my life and mistakes to always work at bettering myself - Daisy :)
I absolutely never comment, but I will for this video. I loved everything you said. It put some emotions I have been feeling for years into words. As someone who has tried and who keeps trying to continue being curious even as an adult and has been mocked for it, I found your words inspiring. I want to keep being curious and become kinder to those around me. Thank you.
As different topics run across my head within the fast paced information flow, I often crave for some depth on these topics. As you say, often there is no time to go deeper, but when there is, it is sooo satisfactory!
Thanks for this wonderful video Cinzia!
Glad you liked it!
So enjoyed this video! I'm learning the same about growing my own food. You can learn a lot from other gardeners but, there is no substitute for getting your hands dirty and making the mistakes that can only be made in your own garden. Stay curious and kind.
4:45 say that again 👏🏽👏🏽So profound!
5:58 In trying to teach my children this. Yes, i loved this video! Thank you so much for sharing
Beautiful monologue. Some nice metaphors, and I do think there is something in what you say. Fear kills curiosity. The younger you are, the less fear you have accumulated. Teaching our youth to be curious, to engage with their surroundings, and to play in an environment made safe for them, is vital to the future of our species. Making a space where adults can also express their curiosity without fear of judgement or reprisal is also a worthy goal. Question, question, question. May the answers you receive surprise you.
This reminds me a little bit of "the gas station encounter", once upon a time when I was refueling my motorbike a woman asked me if I could help her refuel hers since she only just started riding.
I'm still a bit sad that I was so nervous about that situation that I could not offer any more help than that.
Thank you for another interesting video and until next time.
Intelligence is evidenced by curiosity.
Creativity is evidenced by novel solutions and "thinking outside the box."
"consistancy is the bugaboo of the small mind."
Always look forward to your videos Cinzia, thank you for making them 🙏
I've got a meeting, but will watch this as soon as I get home.
I would add that not only are we too afraid, but too busy and too impatient
I know it’s silly but I like that line from Jurassic Park “You didn't earn the knowledge for yourselves, so you don't take any responsibility for it”. Reading a book, taking time to struggle and grapple with the concepts presented, requires you to take responsibility for the conclusions you draw. You don’t have that luxury of saying “well, this person told me what to think” and then feel like an expert. Even the opinions you do form should come with the assumption that you will always have room to explore more ideas and reevaluate your conclusions. Curiosity should be baked into your understanding of the world.
These are absolutely fantastic thoughts! Yes, you hit it right on in so many aspects. Thanks, friend!
Thanks
I was just trying to cheer you up yesterday.
On a serious note though, you do pose some good questions and have a good set of points.
In this internet generation curiosity etc is often met with disastrous results.
You know yourself how cruel people can be on here.
I do think it's healthy to be curious, but you have to also be aware that your curiosity can sometimes get you a bad response.
I'm very curious and I've even been left shell shocked by responses on here before.
It's why I won't do Facebook, X etc.
But you have to remember that you have a right to be curious and the abuse towards your curiosity is being done by no marks with nothing better to do than judge.
The other thing about researching yourself is that you find other nuggets of golden information along the way. Without effort we ca have no true reward. No 'well done me!'.
Definitely food for thought. Thanks for another great video.
I really enjoy your Content Cinzia, you sound really educated to me, keep up the Content!
I haven’t lost curiosity. My problem is that aging, poor health, and the pressures of life in this age of electronic information overload has sapped my energy and concentration levels, and I’m often just too tired and easily worn out, and can’t read any more, or study any deeper. Aging and adulting both suck!
I think a big part of this issue is time. Time has become expensive, in that it's easier and therefore cheaper to quickly find something on Google or watch a 10min video than it is to go to the library or bookstore. I imagined myself having to go to the library to research something like gouache painting techniques, and even though the entire process of that is absolutely attractive, my next thoughts were immediately, but where will I find the time? I would have to travel to the library, spend hours there finding the right material, come home and then start sifting through all of that information, relevant or not. And again, even though to me that sounds amazing, it was interesting to note that the first place my mind went to was, but that is going to take so much time, and do I have time for the luxury of time?
Imo, we spend too much of our time servicing the expectations of others. That is why I have become more minimalist as I get older - to simplify the mundane ( cooking, cleaning, wearing the clothes expected of me et al) so that I can have more time to indulge my curiosity.
I've been feeling this quite heavily for a couple years now.
omg it's the exact same for visual art.
people are so upset that someone may try to make art if they are not leonardo da vinci level from birth (which, guess what, even he was not THAT good since birth).
and now with AI they got the exact equivalent to a google search to produce an image. no one is ever allowed to be curious about their own skills and imagination. no one is allowed to just doodle for fun without being berated. I hate this so much.
anyone who is reading this, please if you like art make some and don't be discouraged. it does not matter how good it is the important thing is that you made it.
the same as the example here. just because one is not a field expert it does not mean they can never ever research and reach their own conclusions. you too reach your own goal with art if it interests you!!
Thank you
Great video!
Glad you enjoyed it
No way, my best skill is my willingness to learn, I list it first everytime I'm asked about my capabilities. Just this morning alone I started to wonder why "cantimplora" is the Spanish word for flask, and Spanish is my native language lol
I believe the root of the problem lie in our education system. It's obviously not the same depending on where one's living but there are more places on earth that have an educational culture that prioritises order over creativity, collectivism over individuality, rigidity of thought over diversity in textural interpretations. Children are actively taught in an environment where they are competing with each other, not in a relaxed space where everyone comes to learn. It's a space that is designed for uniformity so that there is hardly any consideration for the needs of different children. Years of being put down by teachers and peers does take a toll on an individual's self esteem and their willingness to explore their curiosity in an engaging way.
True. We live in a Society
I personally also feel this same way. Right now, I am applying it to (sorry for traumatizing people) the recent U.S. elections. The vibes here are that people don't tend to value curiosity or intellectualism. I believe that this is why voters here tend to vote either "against their own interests" or "vote for the lesser evil" whichever way you see it. I believe that there's this horrible stigma against intellectualism that a lot of Americans are even afraid to discuss or think about (hence it's a taboo topic). Personally, I'm still curious because I am still committed to "destroying taboo topics" if you know what I mean...
Great video, I want to add however that we as a society need to draw the line between encouraging people to explore and experiment in good faith and encouraging people to spread misinformation to simply stir up controversy. Like you said, it’s possible to let people express inconvenient truths if it’s done respectfully, but we have to be able to tell the difference (a true difference, not a difference that is a matter of opinion) that galvanize people to rethink their assumptions in a way that yields pro social changes, and not ones that hold us back. You said the people who spread the most hateful rhetoric are a minority, but that rhetoric is clearly having an outsized impact on a lot of us who choose to hear them out.
I also don't agree with your implication that curiosity is totally dead or in the process of being killed. I believe curiosity is more of an internal trait that exists among like-minded people and less of a core societal value; this is because we can expect to see the results of that curiosity that lead to the many examples of pro-social accomplishments you can easily name, but we can't see the intellectual process behind them (unless someone shows us, of course). Therefore, curiosity is simply siloed away from mainstream thought and resides within people or communities with a lot of good insights to explore and share with others, but who don't have a large platform.
Cinzia, I think you should give yourself some credit for even being curious about the death of curiosity. Your work is proof that curiosity still exists :)
Woot!
Good morning and thank you,
my coffee is more enjoyable now.
☕🐝🇺🇸
I have no doubt that this is a common experience for many, this trepidation toward exposing their lack of knowledge through inquiry and investigation.
That said, I myself have never felt fear or hesitation when endeavoring to study up on a topic of which I wish to know more. I'm not entirely certain what that says about me (probably an unhealthy measure of arrogance) but my own curiosity will never be held in abeyance, shackled and neutered by fear. I see, too often, the results of ignorance and stupidity masquerading as certainty in one's knowledge and aptitude or mastery of a subject. I'll have no truck with that. Nope, give me a library and a quiet reading area, or a wi-fi connection, and I'll investigate to my own satisfaction.
The only problem with consulting non internet material is that so much rubbish is published ( mostly well meaning ) that it makes it progressively more of a chore to sort through the dross every year. There’s much more drivel on the internet, but it’s quicker to process. The much better sources seem to be sequestered behind language doors. Eg Dense English verbiage.
❤❤❤
I miss your videos on myths and history, the Atlantis one was my favourite.
I still make those videos on my main channel, Lady of the Library. this is my second channel
Unfortunately, even if you research and present the right answer, there are those who will simply dismiss it because it doesn't fit their view of the world. They will say "Do the research" because they want you to conform to their opinion.
The most convenient is not always the most healthy. What is true for junk food is also true for information. We are slowly letting machines make the thinking for us because it is the more convenient way. This makes me think of Dune and the ban on computers there.
Here's a curious thing. Xmas seems to have started in October this year!
What's that about?
I probably should go myself. I don't know how much longer we'll have them.
I think curiosity is healthy.
Same as I think curiosity can also be dangerous.
Curiosity is a very human trait.
Curiosity will never die.
Unless you are a cat.
Cats can get killed for being curious.
Lacking curiosity is a terrible way to live.
"I bet you say this to all the boys..."
I am too curious. I need to know what happens next.
BEEP! I thought my smoke detector was acting up. 😆
It's funny that, even in academia, you CAN'T write what I would call an "independent essay" anymore. You have to cite where you got literally every idea, so you're not exactly free to drop your own opinion into that work. But doesn't that mean that such scholarship is only a regurgitation of past scholarship? And what on Earth is thew point of that? It's boring.
If the answer can be found the question is intellectually irrelevant.
A very beautiful intelligent lady❤