Curiosity

A noun described as follows:

1.    a strong desire to know or learn something: "filled with curiosity, she peered through the window" – interest, spirit of inquiry, inquisitiveness

      2.     strange or unusual object or fact. 

Is this the greatest of human characteristics?  Perhaps but we are not certain that it is a human characteristic in the sense that it may be shared with many other species beside homo sapiens.  And we most certainly know it is not universally shared by all homo sapiens.  We know for sure that those humans who have this characteristic are more likely to be those who seek answers where others seek comfort.  And we know that those seeking answer have books written about them and movies made about them and statues constructed of their images and bodies.  But then again so do many without curiosity.  That latter group we call “politicians” and “bureaucrats.”

In the current field of many seeking the top job we ask the question – are those most likely to succeed, get elected that is, curious?

That’s all.  That’s what this essay is about.  Do they seek answers?  Well, how would a reasonable person (say a voter) make that judgment?  Here are some possible ways to form that judgment – is that candidate curious?

1.    Did they pursue from a young age challenging topics, subjects and experiences?

2.    Did they seek mentors and teachers who push them to this day to question and challenge and be inquisitive?

3.    Do they preach answers or encourage thoughtful discourse?

4.    Do they question themselves openly, in front of others?

5.    Do they routinely allow and even encourage others to challenge them – in open debates and settings – with no props or support mechanisms or audiences?

6.    Do they just try something different to see if it works?   See what happens?

7.    Do they surround themselves with people much smarter and more curious than they are?  And encourage such people to speak their minds?

8.    Do they present themselves as the smartest person in the room?  The know it all?  Or do they present themselves as a student who has learned some things but still has a long way to go?

9.    Do they listen and seek advice more so than offering it?

10. Do they ever utter the words, “I don’t know.”

It is almost un-American to think that our top leader should be “curious.”  Rather it seems to be more American to want that person to be certain.  About most everything.  Big mistake.

We are in very unchartered waters in this world of ours.  Not so much because the issues and problems that face us are all that much different than they ever were but because we have made great technological leaps forward and there are so many more of us today than there were when it took weeks or months to find out about something taking place elsewhere.  If at all.

Curiosity.  Curiosity sometimes leads to interesting results.   Inventions.  Cures.  Other forms of advancement.  We seem to value it until we get to our governance?  Is that why we don’t demand it from our politicians and bureaucrats?  Or is there another reason(s)?