Curiosity vs. Skepticism: How to Embrace the Curious George Effect!

Curious George. Do ya know him? 

Chances are, you're familiar with this fictional character created by the authors H.A. Rey and Margret Rey. The main protagonist in a series of children's books first published in 1941, this adventurous (and admittedly mischievous) little monkey constantly finds himself in funny situations, all as a result of one thing: his curiosity.

As a kid, I loved these stories and enjoyed following Curious George as he got into trouble or caused unintentional chaos - probably because I was doing a good bit of that myself. 

Beloved by many generations, this fictional storyline has been adapted into various forms of media including an animated TV series and even a full-on movie. Needless to say, our friend George has become an iconic figure! 

A year or so ago, I was reminiscing about this adventurous little buddy, and it got me thinking about the power of curiosity. 

If we're honest, today's world has us questioning everything. From what we "should" be believing, eating, reading, watching...literally everything is up for negotiation. The truth is, part of me loves that we're asking more questions, because that means we're learning. 

But this "thought thread" in my mind led me to a distinctive place, and it's what I want to unpack with you today: the difference between curiosity and skepticism. 

While both of these words could be defined as an approach to acquire knowledge and understanding, their underlying motivations and attitudes are where they differ. 

Curiosity is the innate desire to explore, discover, and learn with an open-minded and enthusiastic approach to new ideas, experiences, and information. It is often associated with a positive and proactive mindset that fuels intellectual growth and discovery.

Curious individuals are driven by a genuine thirst for knowledge and understanding. They actively seek out new perspectives, ask questions, and engage in exploration to satisfy their curiosity (sounds like a little monkey I know).  What I love most about curiosity is that it encourages a sense of wonder, creativity, and a willingness to embrace uncertainty. 

Skepticism, on the other hand, is a more cautious and critical mindset that questions and scrutinizes claims, beliefs, and information. It involves a level of questioning and critical thinking that aims to avoid accepting things at face value. 

Skeptical individuals approach ideas and information with doubt...seeking evidence and "logical reasoning" to either validate or challenge the topic at play. Skeptics are not easily swayed if there are no facts to support, and they thrive on evidence-based reasoning.

We could go pretty deep here, but for the sake of preserving our brain's energy for the tasks at hand today, I'll say this: I think it's possible to embody a certain level of skepticism. I don't disagree that there is, in some cases, a need for facts and evidence. 

But at the end of the day, I think we could all be a little bit more CURIOUS. 

Why!?

Well, like Curious George, when we invite curiosity into our lives, we invite a variety of other positive things as well. Things like wonder, excitement, adventure, and yes - answers!

In my humble opinion, curiosity is the way we can ask questions without the recipient feeling like they're being questioned. 

Do you agree?

Embracing what I have lovingly declared as "The Curious George Effect" might not be easy for some. And I get it - it's hard to let down our guard or release our defenses...especially when it comes to topics we feel strongly about. But, my friend, I'll keep it real with you: when YOU decide to be curious vs. skeptical, not only will you reap the benefits of a more relaxed approach, but so will the people you're conversing with. Walls will inevitably fall, and THAT is where meaningful, growth-oriented conversations can truly begin to occur. 

So next time your face feels flushed and you are met with the temptation to question someone or approach a situation with skepticism, I invite you to imagine a cute little monkey in your mind and ask YOURSELF - What would Curious George say?