Embracing Curiosity Anonymous

To my knowledge, curiosity never actually killed a cat. The 1920 Eugene O'Neil play, "Diff'rent," did include the metaphor, "Curiosity killed a cat!" but more importantly was followed by, "Ask me no questions and I'll tell you no lies." If O'Neil had a cautionary message, it was not to limit or discourage curiosity but, rather, to warn against unknown consequences. Possibly, the more apt phrase should be, "Only ask if you are prepared for the answer."

Even if there are consequences to inquisitiveness, these seem not to have been a meaningful deterrent to mankind. From the beginning of recorded time, curiosity has underpinned our understanding of ourselves. History tells us that that curiosity is not likely to be "curbed" or "held in check" but, rather, the opposite is true; we are risk takers. When Neil Armstrong stepped onto the moon, he provided an indelible image of curiosity bounded not even by gravity.

Adam and Eve, curious enough to bite an apple from the Tree of Knowledge, were banished from Eden. The banishment was a consequence that, according to the Old Testament, spawned civilization. At the cost of human life, early explorers conquered the...