Curiosity Killed the Cat – or Did It?

We’ve all heard the expression: “Curiosity killed the cat”. A phrase that’s meant to caution us against asking too many questions or venture too far into the unknown. But in reality, curiosity is one of the most powerful tools we have for living a fuller, healthier life. Far from a danger, curiosity is our rocket fuel for the mind, body and spirit.

The origins of the phrase and what curiosity is

Interestingly, the original proverb was not about curiosity. It dates back to the 1500s, and was: “Care killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back”. At that time, “care” meant “worry” or “anxiety” – suggesting overthinking a problem or too much emotional strain were harmful, which all makes sense. “Satisfaction” by contrast, referred to the restorative power of discovery.

Over time, the phrase was shortened, stripping away its hopeful ending and turning curiosity into the villain. However, better interpretation today would be: “Too much anxiety wears us down, but the thrill of discovery is life enhancing.”

How powerful is the spark of your curiosity?

Curiosity is defined as a motivational state driven by the desire to learn, explore or experience something new, unknown or uncertain. This could be about people, ideas, places, problems or even personal to you. Curious people tend to be more open minded, resilient and adaptive. Curiosity is the root of invention, innovation and inspiration.

In childhood curiosity came naturally and without inhibitions. We constantly encountered new things with eyes wide open or with jaw dropping wonder and fascination. We asked hundreds of questions with no concerns about sounding stupid. We were uninhibited. Curiosity drove our play, our learning, our experimentation and shaped our development.

But as we grow older, curiosity often fades. We have less time, more responsibilities and are more comfortable with routine, and less open to new ideas. 

Technology has also crowded out our curiosity as it effectively competes for our attention We’re now constantly glued to our phones with no moments to pause between our activities. Social media algorithm-driven content has also created echo chambers, reinforcing what we already believe, leaving little room for new ideas. And today, AI like ChatGPT, may further stifle curiosity, as we contract out our critical thinking that drove research and self-discovery.

Yet boredom is a good thing, it’s where curiosity is sparked, where new ideas emerge, and self-reflection happens. In the stillness of down-time random thoughts can invade our mind and, to mix metaphors, sow the seeds of curiosity.

Curiosity and health

Curiosity isn’t just good for the mind, it’s also good for the body. Curiosity is corelated with many of the positive factors of life satisfaction. One study from University of Rochester found that older adults who scored higher on curiosity lived longer, even after controlling for other health factors. Note corelation is not the same as causation.

Curiosity is our rocket fuel for: –

• Better cognitive health as curious people tend to keep learning, which protects against cognitive decline
• More social interactions as curious people tend to show more interest in other people, have more things to share and a broader social network
• Lower stress as curious people approach problems with more resilience and flexibility
• Healthier choices as curious people seek more information about nutrition, exercise or other lifestyle

Curiosity activates the brain’s dopamine reward circuit – the same chemical release we experience when we anticipate something good or are motivated. Dopamine also boosts memory and attention. As a result, curiosity can become addictive in a positive way.

The curiosity dopamine hit is also effectively used in the media, for example, when a programme ends on a cliffhanger, and we have to wait for the next episode.

Can curiosity be measured?

So how curious are you? One simple scoring system is the Curiosity and Exploration Inventory-II, by Kashdan, et al. It measures two dimensions: the desire to seek nee experiences and the willingness to embrace uncertainty. The paper can be read here.  

To measure your level of curiosity, try this questionnaire from the Institute of Curiosity.

How to strengthen your curiosity

The good news is that with the right mindset curiosity can be strengthened at any age. Here are some simple ways to nurture its:-

• Really listen – what is below the words, what are the emotional inflections saying? Then ask deeper, open ended questions, starting with “why”, “how” and “what if”.
• Learn new things – make time to for continuous learning. Read a thought-provoking article, or watch a documentary that challenges your thinking, or on a topic you know nothing about. Try a new hobby, a new genre of music, or a new food.
• See new places – this could be a different café, a different route to a destination, a new place or country. The exploration could be to dig into your family tree or to visit the location of a great book you’ve read.
• Switch off all tech – this could be to sit in silence or to walk with your thoughts. It could be to open your eyes and gaze at the wonders of life.  Making space for stillness and boredom.
• Connect with new people – everyone has a story and possibly a different view that will challenge yours. In particular, engage with other curious people, as curiosity is contagious.

In my moments of silence or when I’m walking with my thoughts, I grab an old-fashioned pen and notebook to jot down things that pop into my head.

It’s never too late to find a new passion. Many have found their ikigai later in life. Paul Potts who became an opera singer at 36. Mary Wesley wrote her first novel at 70. Sir Tom Moore raised millions for the NHS at 99.  These people aren’t anomalies, they’re proof that the spark never dies. It just needs oxygen.

Some final thoughts

“Curiosity killed the cat” is just wrong, in fact, curiosity is life-enhancing. It supports brain health, deepens relationships reduces stress and is correlated with extended lifespan. We do not lose curiosity as we age, we just squeeze out the oxygen to spark it. In a world of distractions and instant gratification, we need to work harder at being more curious. Curiosity invites us to open our eyes, slow down, ask better questions and embrace uncertainty. Curiosity is life enhancing.

Long live curiosity – our oldest instinct and maybe our greatest strength!