Curiosity (Curiosità )–The insatiable quest for knowledge and continuous improvement
Curiosita is one of the Da Vinci principles referring to “an insatiably curious approach to life and an unrelenting quest for continuous learning.” (Gelb, 1998)
When you look back at the most innovative minds over the history of time, Leonardo Da Vinci’s has to be the top of that list. The man, although celebrated for his artworks which still take millions of people’s breath away every year, was also an anatomist, architect, botanist, city planner, engineer, equestrian, inventor, geographer, geologist, military scientist, musician, painter, philosopher and raconteur – not to mention an avid juggler!
It is therefore no surprise that we look to his teachings for inspiration for our own creativity.
If you think back to childhood and the wonder and awe that everything held for you, you will remember your insatiable curiosity (and perhaps even your parents’ annoyance at your constant questioning). Da Vinci believed that we should never lose that quest for information and discovery. We should look at things and wonder how they work, wonder how they could work BETTER.
If we were to simply accept things as they are, there would be no innovation. If pre-historic man accepted life as it was, we’d still be waiting for the invention of fire and the wheel!
The great innovators of our time like Steve Jobs and Elon Musk embody this principle. Jobs looked at the developing personal computer and was curious as to how it could be better. The result was Apple MacIntosh Computers – still the most sought-after PCs available.
Elon Musk is a man who absolutely refuses to accept things as they are. SO much so that this brilliant billionaire is preparing to colonise Mars! Some say that this curiosity could save humankind.
Just think what you can achieve when you free your inner child and become insatiably curious.