Part 02 - Curiosity: The Key to Intelligence

“I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious.” -Albert Einstein

Curiosity: Key to Intelligence

Joke’s on me. I’ve spelled “intelligence” wrong at least three times by now. Irony, eh? But I’m going to use this to make my point (and for you doubters, I promise I did not initially plan on using this).

Am I more intelligent if I can spell intelligent correctly? Probably. If one’s brain has the capacity to remember how to spell many words, that would mean they are intelligent. Is that the only mark for intelligence? One’s ability to retain information?

I would argue not, but that is what our outdated educational system values. To get good grades. And how does one, in our outdated educational system, get good grades? Memorize and regurgitate it back onto the paper. Tell me what I have told you, exactly how I said it. Bonus points if you can reword it.

So yes, one’s ability to retain knowledge is a factor for intelligence. And for some, that comes naturally (nature). They don’t have to work as hard. They don’t have to take notes in class, nor do they have to do the homework. They don’t have to study. They just remember it. And that is awesome! Good for them...

The rest of us have to work harder or use methods to retain information. But retaining information is not solely being intelligent. Intelligence is applying that information to create ideas.

It’s figuring out the puzzle without being told how and then forever remembering how. It’s applying prior knowledge and making connections. How good are you at solving something when someone doesn’t have the answer for you?

“But wait!” you say, “We have the Google machine! We can find most answers relatively instantaneously.” Well played. We do have the internet. So, again, this affirms those who can remember the answer. But this also levels out the playing field, as most people have access to the internet (at least in our society).

Therefore, almost everyone can access information immediately and does not necessarily have to remember it. Why would I need to remember how to spell something when the red line under a word informs me it’s wrong? Simply right click it and let technology do its work. Why remember when to use “its” or “it’s” when it will fix itself? Why do mental math when there’s a calculator.

Technology has become an equalizer that brings those who can and those who cannot retain knowledge closer.

Maybe you’re asking “where does curiosity fit in?” I’ve yet to support my initial claim… Here it is: According to the Webster-Merriam Dictionary, curiosity is “the desire to know.” Simple. But this is a game changer. The desire to know, or, better yet, understand, is the key to intelligence. Think about it...

With The Great Equalizer (technology/the Internet), it is our choice to know. Being curious means you ask questions. Asking questions brings knowledge. But more importantly, being curious means you ask the right questions. Why? Because you genuinely want to learn more. Here’s a comparison of thought process:

Non-curious person:

What is that? A red bird.

What kind of bird? A cardinal.

END.

Curious person:

What is that? A red bird.

What kind of bird? A cardinal.

Why is it red? I don’t know… it would have to be evolutionary, right?

Well how does being bright red help it? Based on my prior knowledge on animals, it could be for finding a mate.

But what about survival? Being red doesn’t help… Maybe it is smart enough to avoid predators? Or maybe it is lacking predators?

I wonder… Googles predators of cardinals***

END

The kicker is, is that one doesn’t have to be more intelligent to ask those questions. One only has to be more curious. And what are the effects? The one who is more curious is making connections in his/her head. He/she used prior knowledge to understand more. He/she will use this new knowledge next time he/she observes a different bird, and he/she WILL seek to understand different birds because he/she is CURIOUS.

Both hypothetical people experienced the same thing, yet one learned more than the other. And, therefore, in every situation the curious person is learning more. But it’s not just that.

The curious person is becoming more efficient in how to think and ask questions. It isn’t about the bird, it’s about the process of understanding the bird. And THAT is a choice we all can make. But that is for later…