Word Up #1: Curiosity

The word up is “curiosity.”

My ever-resourceful friend, ChatGPT, tells me the word “curiosity” comes from the Latin word “curiositas,” meaning “eagerness to know, inquisitiveness.” This Latin word is derived from the root word “cura,” which means “care” or “concern.” In ancient Rome, “curiositas” had both positive and negative connotations. It was viewed positively as a desire for knowledge and eagerness to learn, while negatively, it could be associated with idle curiosity or nosiness.

The root word ‘cura’ intrigues me, as it seems to suggest that caring is inherently linked to being curious. It makes sense—eagerness to know something requires caring about the object or subject in question.

Another phrase that caught my attention is “idle curiosity.” ChatGPT defines idle curiosity as a form of curiosity without any particular purpose or goal, stemming from a general sense of interest or fascination with something. It is often described as a casual or passing interest in a topic, without any real intent to explore it further or apply the knowledge gained.

I can certainly relate to this. As someone with a moderate level of curiosity, I enjoy looking up things that may not be that important. TikTok, for instance, is a hub of idle curiosity, and I take pleasure in browsing my For You Page to discover food porn, philosophical quotes, and Jiu-Jitsu content like SmashInVert.

So, is idle curiosity potentially negative? The saying “curiosity killed the cat” implies that some things aren’t worth knowing and may even be dangerous. Nowadays, with endless information at our fingertips, it is our attention that’s under attack. There’s just so much to pay attention to.

If that’s the case, I must safeguard my attention and focus on things I truly care about. But how can I discern what is important? Perhaps I could start by removing things from my life and seeing what I miss the most, or I could meditate on my childhood, reflecting on the moments that brought me the most joy.

A photo comes to mind, taken during my toddler years in Woodside, Queens. I was writing on a piece of loose-leaf with a colored pencil, radiating pure joy with an authentic smile. I am a creator. I should focus more on that. I will cultivate my curiosity in writing, remembering what it entails: eagerness to learn and genuine care for what I pay attention to. Now, the question remains: What else deserves my curiosity?

For the Curious: Awakening from the Meaning Crisis