Why Curiosity is the Ultimate Superpower Lessons from ‘Curious'! book summary

Unleash Your Inner Curiosity: Lessons from Ian Leslie’s ‘Curious’ The Shocking Truth About Curiosity—And How It Can Change Your Life!

Introduction:

Curiosity is the secret ingredient that fuels innovation, deepens relationships, and keeps life exciting. Ian Leslie’s book Curious delves into the psychology behind curiosity and how we can harness it effectively. Through the journey of Ankit, a software engineer who rediscovers his curiosity, we explore the practical lessons on nurturing curiosity in our daily lives.

The Two Types of Curiosity

Leslie introduces us to two kinds of curiosity:

• Diversity Curiosity: The short-term excitement of consuming random facts, social media scrolling, or clicking on intriguing headlines.
• Epistemic Curiosity: The deep drive to explore a subject, master it, and gain profound understanding.

Ankit realizes that his curiosity was limited to diversity curiosity—watching reels, reading headlines, and quickly forgetting information. He decides to transition towards epistemic curiosity by deliberately exploring topics deeply.

Curiosity as a Habit

To sustain curiosity, Leslie emphasizes the need to treat curiosity like fuel. Just like muscles grow with exercise, curiosity strengthens with practice. Ankit starts his journey by selecting a topic—black holes—and engaging deeply with it. This shift transforms learning from a fleeting moment into a structured, intentional process.

Recognizing Information Gaps

Leslie explains that curiosity arises when we recognize knowledge gaps. When we realize we don’t fully understand something, our natural instinct is to seek answers.

Ankit applies this concept at work. Instead of blindly following coding patterns, he asks deeper questions about backend architectures. His manager appreciates his proactive approach, and Ankit realizes that curiosity enhances not only personal learning but also professional growth.

Overcoming Fear and Asking Questions

Fear often holds us back from expressing curiosity. We assume our questions might seem stupid. Leslie suggests that questioning is a skill that must be practiced. Ankit applies this lesson during a team meeting by asking about AI ethics and real-world impact. His team lead praises him, reinforcing the idea that curiosity sparks insightful discussions and innovation.

Cultivating a Childlike Sense of Wonder

Children are naturally curious because they question everything. As we grow older, assumptions replace questions. Leslie suggests rekindling this natural wonder by actively questioning our surroundings.

Ankit observes his nephew dismantling a toy to understand how it works. Inspired, he embraces the same mindset, questioning aspects of his own life and work. This shift helps him approach problems with fresh perspectives.

Curiosity and Relationships

Curiosity is not just about acquiring knowledge—it strengthens relationships. Asking meaningful questions fosters deeper connections. When Ankit starts engaging in conversations by asking thoughtful questions, he realizes that curiosity enriches discussions and relationships alike.

Practical Steps to Cultivate Curiosity

Inspired by Leslie’s book, Ankit creates a daily curiosity practice:

1. Ask at least one question every day.
2. Explore two new topics intentionally each week.
3. Revisit assumptions and challenge existing knowledge.

Conclusion

Curiosity is a way of life. Curious by Ian Leslie teaches us that embracing our curiosity leads to personal and professional growth. By asking the right questions, recognizing knowledge gaps, and actively seeking answers, we can cultivate a mindset of continuous learning.

Ankit’s transformation demonstrates that curiosity is the gateway to deeper understanding, stronger relationships, and a more fulfilling life. The journey of curiosity never ends—it only grows richer with time.