Why? : what makes us curious

Astrophysicist and author Mario Livio investigates perhaps the most human of all our characteristics—curiosity—in this "lively, expert, and definitely not dumbed-down account" ( Kirkus Reviews ) as he explores our innate desire to know why . Experiments demonstrate that people are more distracted when they overhear a phone conversation—where they can know only one side of the dialogue—than when they overhear two people talking and know both sides. Why does half a conversation make us more curious than a whole conversation? "Have you ever wondered why we wonder why? Mario Livio has, and he takes you on a fascinating quest to understand the origin and mechanisms of our curiosity. I thoroughly recommend it." (Adam Riess, Nobel Prize Winner in Physics, 2011). Curiosity is not only at the heart of mystery and suspense novels, it is also essential to other creative endeavors, from painting to sculpture to music. It is the principal driver of basic scientific research. Even so, there is still no definitive scientific consensus about why we humans are so curious, or about the mechanisms in our brain that are responsible for curiosity. In the ever-fascinating Why? Livio interviewed scientists in several fields to explore the nature of curiosity. He examined the lives of two of history's most curious geniuses, Leonardo da Vinci and Richard Feynman. He also talked to people with boundless curiosity: a superstar rock guitarist who is also an astrophysicist; an astronaut with degrees in computer science, biology, literature, and medicine. What drives these people to be curious about so many subjects? An astrophysicist who has written about mathematics, biology, and now psychology and neuroscience, Livio has firsthand knowledge of his subject which he explores in a lucid, entertaining way that will captivate anyone who is curious about curiosity. This Is A Fascinating Examination Of Perhaps Our Most Human Characteristic, Our Innate Curiosity, Our Deep Desire To Know Why. Why Are We More Distracted By A Cell-phone Conversation, Where We Can Hear Only One Side Of The Dialogue, Than By An Overheard Argument Between Two People? Are Children More Curious Than Adults? What Is The Source Of The Morbid Curiosity That Causes Bystanders To Gather At Crime Scenes Or Traffic Accidents? What Evolutionary Purpose Does Curiosity Serve? How Does Our Mind Choose What To Be Curious About? Why? Explores These And Many Other Intriguing Questions. Curiosity Is Essential To Creativity. It Is A Necessary Ingredient In So Many Art Forms, From Mystery Novels And Film Dramas To Painting, Sculpture, And Music. It Is The Principal Driver Of Science, And Yet There Is No Scientific Consensus On Why We Humans Are So Curious Or About The Precise Mechanisms In Our Brain That Are Responsible For Curiosity. Mario Livio Investigates Curiosity Through The Lives Of Such Paragons Of Inquisitiveness As Leonardo Da Vinci And Richard Feynman. He Interviewed A Range Of Exceptionally Curious People From An Astronaut With Degrees In Statistics, Medicine, And Literature To A Rock Guitarist With A Phd In Astrophysics. Because Of Livio's Own Insatiable Curiosity, Why? Is An Irresistible And Entertaining Book That Will Captivate Anyone Who Is Curious About Curiosity.--jacket. Curious -- Curiouser -- And Curiouser -- Curious About Curiosity: Information Gap -- Curious About Curiosity: Intrinsic Love Of Knowledge -- Curious About Curiosity: Neuroscience -- A Brief Account Of The Rise Of Human Curiosity -- Curious Minds -- Why Curiosity? Mario Livio. Includes Bibliographical References (pages 197-237) And Index. Astrophysicist and author Mario Livio investigates perhaps the most human of all our characteristics?curiosity?as he explores our innate desire to know why . Experiments demonstrate that people are more distracted when they overhear a phone conversation?where they can know only one side of the dialogue?than when they overhear two people talking and know both sides. Why does half a conversation make us more curious than a whole conversation? In the ever-fascinating Why? Mario Livio interviewed scientists in several fields to explore the nature of curiosity. He examined the lives of two of history's most curious geniuses, Leonardo da Vinci and Richard Feynman. He also talked to people with boundless curiosity: a superstar rock guitarist who is also an astrophysicist; an astronaut with degrees in computer science, biology, literature, and medicine. What drives these people to be curious about so many subjects? Curiosity is at the heart of mystery and suspense novels. It is essential to other forms of art, from painting to sculpture to music. It is the principal driver of basic scientific research. Even so, there is still no definitive scientific consensus about why we humans are so curious, or about the mechanisms in our brain that are responsible for curiosity. Mario Livio?an astrophysicist who has written about mathematics, biology, and now psychology and neuroscience?explores this irresistible subject in a lucid, entertaining way that will captivate anyone who is curious about curiosity Astrophysicist and author Mario Livio investigates perhaps the most human of all our characteristics curiosity as he explores our innate desire to know why. Experiments demonstrate that people are more distracted when they overhear a phone conversation where they can know only one side of the dialogue than when they overhear two people talking and know both sides. Why does half a conversation make us more curious than a whole conversation? In the ever-fascinating Why? Mario Livio interviewed scientists in several fields to explore the nature of curiosity. He examined the lives of two of history s most curious geniuses, Leonardo da Vinci and Richard Feynman. He also talked to people with boundless curiosity: a superstar rock guitarist who is also an astrophysicist; an astronaut with degrees in computer science, biology, literature, and medicine. What drives these people to be curious about so many subjects? Curiosity is at the heart of mystery and suspense novels. It is essential to other forms of art, from painting to sculpture to music. It is the principal driver of basic scientific research. Even so, there is still no definitive scientific consensus about why we humans are so curious, or about the mechanisms in our brain that are responsible for curiosity. Mario Livio an astrophysicist who has written about mathematics, biology, and now psychology and neuroscience explores this irresistible subject in a lucid, entertaining way that will captivate anyone who is curious about curiosity