Curiosity Saves the Cat | Tara Connor | TEDxKids@SMU

Summary

The speaker passionately argues against the adage 'curiosity killed the cat,' emphasizing the importance of intellectual curiosity for innovation and learning. Highlighting the achievements of Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, and Walt Disney, all of whom had dyslexia and a relentless curiosity, the speaker encourages embracing questions and interests to deepen understanding and foster creativity. The talk concludes with a call to action for the audience to discover and pursue their passions with curiosity.

Takeaways

• 😀 The saying 'curiosity killed the cat' is outdated and discourages the inquisitive nature that leads to innovation and learning.
• 🧠 Intellectual curiosity, as demonstrated by figures like Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, and Walt Disney, is a driving force behind significant achievements and industry revolutions.
• 🤔 The speaker's personal journey with dyslexia highlights how curiosity is not just beneficial but necessary for understanding and overcoming learning challenges.
• 🔍 Becoming curious about a subject, even one that seems uninteresting at first, like math for the speaker, can lead to a deeper appreciation and enjoyment of it.
• 🧩 Dyslexia is a condition that affects the way information is processed in the brain, often leading to a more circuitous route to understanding, which can foster curiosity.
• 🤷‍♀️ The speaker recounts a negative experience in school where curiosity was stifled, emphasizing the importance of nurturing, not suppressing, inquisitive minds.
• 💡 Curiosity is linked to creativity; it allows individuals to connect ideas and solve problems in innovative ways, as suggested by David Silverstein.
• 🌟 Pursuing one's interests with curiosity can lead to a greater understanding and passion for a subject, which in turn can lead to a rewarding career.
• 📈 The speaker encourages the audience to identify their interests, conduct research, and engage with others who share similar curiosities to maximize their intellectual growth.
• 🚀 The challenge to find one's passion and to pursue it with curiosity is presented as a path to personal fulfillment and potentially transformative contributions to society.

Q & A

What is the origin of the saying 'Curiosity killed the cat'?

The origin of the saying 'Curiosity killed the cat' is not certain, but it is imagined to have started as a caution against excessive questioning or meddling, possibly by an adult annoyed with a child's inquisitiveness.

Why does the speaker believe the saying 'Curiosity killed the cat' should be discarded?

The speaker believes the saying should be discarded because it discourages intellectual curiosity, which they argue is essential for innovation and learning.

What common traits did Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, and Walt Disney share?

Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, and Walt Disney all shared traits of intellectual curiosity, passion, and the ability to revolutionize their respective industries.

How did Albert Einstein describe his own talent?

Albert Einstein described his talent as not being special but rather being passionately curious.

What does Steve Jobs emphasize about understanding and digging deeper?

Steve Jobs emphasized the importance of understanding and digging deeper to find that complex things can be fairly simple, which is a result of intellectual curiosity.

What did Walt Disney say about curiosity?

Walt Disney said that when you're curious, you find lots of interesting things to do, highlighting the creative potential of curiosity.

How did the speaker's perspective on math change after becoming curious about it?

The speaker initially did not like math but found it interesting and fascinating after becoming curious and asking many questions, leading to a deeper understanding and enjoyment of the subject.

What is dyslexia and how does it relate to the speaker's experience in school?

Dyslexia is a learning disorder that affects the way the brain processes written and spoken language. The speaker discovered they had dyslexia, which explained their need to ask many questions to understand concepts, leading to a negative experience with a teacher who dismissed their inquiries.

How does the speaker describe the brain's processing difference in dyslexic individuals?

The speaker describes the dyslexic brain as taking a more circuitous route to process information, likening it to a pinball machine, which may contribute to their heightened curiosity.

Why is curiosity important for learning according to the speaker?

Curiosity is important for learning because it leads to a greater understanding of the subject, makes learning more enjoyable, and fosters creativity.

What advice does the speaker give to maximize curiosity?

The speaker advises to continue asking questions, identify personal interests, conduct independent research, and connect with others who share similar interests to maximize curiosity.

What challenge does the speaker issue to the audience?

The speaker challenges the audience to find their passion and to follow it with a great deal of curiosity, as doing so can lead to great rewards and innovation.