Powerful ideas from top nonfiction
Try Blinkist to get the key ideas from 7,500+ bestselling nonfiction titles and podcasts. Listen or read in just 15 minutes.
Get started
Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
Listen to the Intro
Curious summary
The Desire to Know and Why Your Future Depends on It
19 mins
Brief summary
Curious by Ian Leslie explores how our innate sense of curiosity drives our creativity, inspiration, and learning. The book offers insights into how to cultivate curiosity for personal and professional development, highlighting the importance of curiosity in a complex and ever-changing world.
Topics
Table of Contents
Curious
Summary of 9 key ideas
Audio & text in the Blinkist app
Key idea 1 of 9
Curiosity is caused by information gaps that we want to close.
A blinking ad on a website, a bizarre circumstance of a murder mystery or an apple falling from the tree: all these pique our curiosity. But why? What do these drastically different things have in common that captures our attention?
According to psychologist George Loewenstein, curiosity is a result of information gaps. Put simply, information gaps are missing pieces to a puzzle. When we realize that there is something we don’t know, we then suddenly really want to find out what it is.
For instance, if you’re watching a thriller, there might be a murder, i.e., a piece of information. However, you’re missing some crucial information to complete the picture: who committed the murder? This is the information gap, and we continue watching with the hope that this gap will soon be closed.
Storytellers of all sorts use the principle of information gaps all the time; in fact, a good story depends on it! They create information gaps, and then close them, only to open yet another, and then another; it’s how they keep us engaged in their stories, feverishly turning page after page.
But it’s not the mere absence of information that sparks curiosity. Curiosity can’t exist in a vacuum; we must first have some knowledge about the subject. The gap exists only between something we already know and something we don’t yet know, but would like to find out.
For example, if someone tells you all about the riveting performance he saw at a classical concert, you can’t respond to this information if you know nothing about classical music. Thus, your curiosity remains uncaptured.
However, if he then tells you that this music also appeared in your favorite film and that the composer was born in the same city as you, then you might have enough relevant information to become curious.
Want to see all full key ideas from Curious?
Key ideas in Curious
More knowledge in less time
Read or listen
Get the key ideas from nonfiction bestsellers in minutes, not hours.
Find your next read
Get book lists curated by experts and personalized recommendations.
Shortcasts New
We’ve teamed up with podcast creators to bring you key insights from podcasts.
What is Curious about?
Curious is all about one of the most fundamental forces for our success as well as our perception of the world around us: our curiosity. The book offers a unique look into how curiosity works, what you can do to nurture it and what sorts of behaviors stifle it.
Curious Review
Curious (2014) by Ian Leslie is a thought-provoking exploration of curiosity and its impact on our lives. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- With insightful research and analysis, Leslie delves into the psychology behind curiosity, revealing how it can enhance creativity, improve relationships, and drive personal growth.
- The book examines the powerful influence of curiosity in various areas, from education and business to innovation and problem-solving, making it relevant and applicable to a wide range of readers.
- Through compelling anecdotes and stories, the author illustrates the transformative effects of curiosity, capturing readers' attention and ensuring that the book is far from dull.
Best quote from Curious
I have no special talents. I am only passionately curious. - Albert Einstein
—Ian Leslie
Who should read Curious?
- Anyone who is interested in psychology
- Anyone who works in a knowledge-based field
- Anyone who is naturally inquisitive
Categories with Curious
Book summaries like Curious
People ❤️ Blinkist
Sven O.
It's highly addictive to get core insights on personally relevant topics without repetition or triviality. Added to that the apps ability to suggest kindred interests opens up a foundation of knowledge.
Thi Viet Quynh N.
Great app. Good selection of book summaries you can read or listen to while commuting. Instead of scrolling through your social media news feed, this is a much better way to spend your spare time in my opinion.
Jonathan A.
Life changing. The concept of being able to grasp a book's main point in such a short time truly opens multiple opportunities to grow every area of your life at a faster rate.
Renee D.
Great app. Addicting. Perfect for wait times, morning coffee, evening before bed. Extremely well written, thorough, easy to use.
People also liked these summaries
4.7 Stars
Average ratings on iOS and Google Play
37 Million
Downloads on all platforms
10+ years
Experience igniting personal growth
Curious FAQs
What is the main message of Curious?
Curious explores the power of curiosity and its impact on personal growth and success.
How long does it take to read Curious?
The reading time for Curious varies. However, the Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is Curious a good book? Is it worth reading?
Curious is a captivating book that offers valuable insights on the benefits of curiosity, making it worth reading for anyone seeking personal and intellectual growth.
Who is the author of Curious?
The author of Curious is Ian Leslie.
What to read after Curious?
If you're wondering what to read next after Curious, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- Labor of Love by Moira Weigel
- Talk by Elizabeth Stokoe
- Social by Matthew D. Lieberman
- Moving Past Small Talk by The Blinkist Team
- The Game by Neil Strauss
- The Curious History of Dating by Nichi Hodgson
- Living the Artist's Way by Julia Cameron
- The Science of Kissing by Sheril Kirshenbaum
- The Practice of Not Thinking by Ryunosuke Koike
- The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron