-- Posted by save the world at 4:03 pm on Sep. 27, 2008 True curiosity being the one to match that of a baby. Sure, as we grow up, we become acquainted with what we used to perceive as splendid, like trees, high buildings, bees or rainbows. But why do we lose that fascination with the new and the undiscovered? After all, our world doesn't grow smaller as we grow bigger - quite on the contrary, with time our opportunities expand. We learn to read, we can get on a bus or drive somewhere to a new place. Most people are constantly in a hurry and when they aren't, they're tired of having been in a hurry before. They don't stop to look at the clouds or watch the sparrow fighting with a crumb of bread. When you draw their attention to one of such things, they go "okay" on you or simply continue with what they've been talking about. And that's what originated this reflection. I was talking to a friend and suddenly she observed that, like nobody else she knew, I was actually genuinely interested in the person I was having a conversation with. She mentioned how in the majority of cases people just kept relating their lives, whereas I asked questions and listened. I gave that some thought and figured it's simply more interesting to hear what the other person has to say, since then I actually get to learn new things, as opposed to talking about myself, when obviously I can only say something I already know. Now, yesterday I saw the bigger picture of it. Why are the truly curious - like a being new to this world - so few? -- Posted by Crazy snake at 4:13 pm on Sep. 27, 2008 I dont know. I suppose its because, as you said, as people grow older, and have to take on more responsibility (child care, work etc.), they do indeed loose interest on these things. As you said, they are constantly in a rush, and when not, they are resting because of the rush. Growing older makes things more possible, yes, such as driving to a new place. But what you must remember, is money is the key in all this. And how does one earn money? By working. What does work do to a person? It tires them. What is a tired person? A self conscious person. A person who focuses on what they need. Rest, being the example. All of this, gradually makes the person simply forget about the little things, as you just mentioned. They simply grow so focused on their own lives, that they simply begin to relate to their own lives in a conversation, not caring much for the information the other holds. I suppose however, you could call people in the scientific carrer curious, and prime examples. Constantly prying, experimenting, wanting to see how something works. To be curious, and to want knowledge, is to truly be an intellectual -- Posted by save the world at 4:41 pm on Sep. 27, 2008 Quote: from Crazy snake at 1:13 am on Sep. 28, 2008 All of this, gradually makes the person simply forget about the little things, as you just mentioned. Which is a pity, because a balance between the everyday life and the little things can as well be achieved. -- Posted by whoami111 at 7:38 pm on Sep. 27, 2008 Maybe because people grow tired of it? Well after watching the clouds for several dozen times it does get boring after awhile. -- Posted by Bearsy at 10:57 pm on Sep. 27, 2008 I think the reason is because as we grow older out brains develop to be able to multitask, and to focus on the important things on our schedules as we do things. This is part of prioritizing and enables us to keep track of more responsibility than we had before. Kids will play with blocks and that's all they'll focus on- the blocks they're playing with. Adults will always have something else in the back of their mind. This is an important survival trait for adults, who have considerably more responsibilities than children and things they can't be forgetting just because they got sucked into an activity. -- Posted by save the world at 7:18 am on Sep. 28, 2008 Quote: from Its Bearsy Bitch at 7:57 am on Sep. 28, 2008 This is an important survival trait for adults, who have considerably more responsibilities than children and things they can't be forgetting just because they got sucked into an activity. But most people lose their childhood curiosity for good and often become conventional. Not to mention that a bit of fascination with how the world works is an infinite source of self-amusement. -- Posted by save the world at 7:22 am on Sep. 28, 2008 Quote: from whoami111 at 4:38 am on Sep. 28, 2008 Maybe because people grow tired of it? Well after watching the clouds for several dozen times it does get boring after awhile. That was just an example, one out of a thousand similar examples. -- Posted by MotoMojo at 10:18 am on Sep. 28, 2008 We don't lose our curiosity, IMO. I think this apparent effect is actually resultant of a shifting in our curiosity. You watch the clouds, learn about them, and it becomes routine. This is actually what I consider to be the motivation to further and further EVOLVE your curiosity, not deaden it. Your curiosity shifts to more complex things as your understanding of simple things becomes second nature and is no longer new and exciting. -- Posted by save the world at 12:49 pm on Sep. 28, 2008 Quote: from MotoMojo at 7:18 pm on Sep. 28, 2008 Your curiosity shifts to more complex things as your understanding of simple things becomes second nature and is no longer new and exciting. You roughly made the same point that Crazy snake did saying I suppose however, you could call people in the scientific carrer curious, and prime examples. So yes, some people develop their interests and, so to say, specialise in this or that branch of knowledge or experience. What about the very basic curiosity when it comes to other people, though? Its rareness alone proves that all in all our curiosity decreases rather than increases or evolves. -- Posted by the seer at 9:58 pm on Oct. 17, 2008 I can't say I know the reason for this because the reasons could be different for each individual. I myself am a naturally curious person, not just about the natural world but about the people around me. it bothers me when someone looks at me like I'm crazy or desperate when displaying a random act of compassion to a total stranger. -- Posted by MotoMojo at 12:45 pm on Oct. 24, 2008 I think some people feel that the level of knowledge scientists commonly reach today is just too much for them to worry about, so they feel like they should leave it to the experts, so to speak. I still think most people are continually curious throughout their life in one aspect or another.