” Curiosity is a bad thing ! Who hasn’t heard, from an early age, this expression which designates the curious child who sticks his ear to the door to overhear a conversation that is not intended for him?
A default in case of indiscretion
Certainly, curiosity can be a nasty fault when it enters the intimate and private sphere of others. This is an unhealthy and indiscreet intrusion which does not distinguish the limit and which, therefore, becomes an ugly defect.
Curiosity can also be misunderstood because it tends to be somewhat disturbing. Asking questions implies that one wishes to receive answers which can sometimes be embarrassing by their content or because one does not master the subject. In this situation, we can therefore consider that curiosity is a defect.
Discoveries and personal development
From another point of view, however, curiosity can be an inexhaustible source of discovery, learning and knowledge. As long as the approach consists in understanding why, in being interested in another point of view, in developing a wide spectrum of knowledge, it tends to open our minds and generate real skills.
Curiosity to make sense
The right curiosity can manifest itself in many areas and can bring real added value to personal development. Let’s take the example of a young man in training as an engineer, curious like a monkey. Always looking for explanations, solutions and know-how in a multitude of technical, scientific or mechanical fields, he skims through tutorials and videos on the Internet to appease his appetite for understanding. But his curiosity does not stop there. Meeting a retired baker also piqued his curiosity about this character’s true profession and he asked her to spend a day with him making bread. Its goal ? “Understand the reality of this man’s life, discover his qualities and not lose his know-how for the future (sic)”.
It’s hard to consider curiosity a bad flaw when the questioning attitude brings answers, solutions and meaning to many problems. In this state of mind and to evolve positively in one’s personal and professional life, curiosity is a real plus which, in my opinion, deserves to be encouraged and carefully cultivated. Many companies today pay attention to this approach and notice that their “curious” collaborators have an intellectual vivacity and a creativity well above average.
Conclusion ! Curiosity is a bad thing ? Yes, if it applies in the private sphere of others and is interested in aspects that do not concern us. But it becomes a real strength when it is motivated by the broadening of knowledge and experience and when it contributes to open-mindedness.
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