Profs & Pints Baltimore: The Science of Curiosity

Profs and Pints Baltimore presents: “The Science of Curiosity,” on understanding and cultivating your desire to learn more, with Todd B. Kashdan, professor of psychology and founder of The Well-Being Lab at George Mason University and author of Curious?

[Doors open at 5. The talk starts at 6:30. The room is open seating. Advance tickets: $13.50 plus sales tax and processing fees. Available at https://www.ticketleap.events/tickets/profsandpints/baltimore-curiosity ]

We’ve all heard that curiosity killed the cat, but in reality, curiosity is the secret sauce behind human achievement, vitality, deep connection, and resilience. Often given minimal attention and regarded merely as one of many useful personality traits, it actually represents a complex, high-octane psychological strategy that can be harnessed to live a life that is happier, richer, and more meaningful.

Move beyond the clichés about curiosity to explore the true mechanics of the “hungry mind” with Dr. Todd Kashdan, whose laboratory at George Mason University serves as an incubator of scientific knowledge on how people can live better and reach their potential.

He’ll begin with a provocative look at how curiosity functions. Then he’ll dive into a discussion of curiosity’s diverse dimensions and its benefits as well as its costs.

From there he’ll explore a few strategies to cultivate this psychological strength and look at the downstream benefits of doing so.

Harnessing the power of curiosity is not just about asking "why?" It’s about understanding the trade-offs we make when we choose where to invest our limited time and energy.

You’ll walk away with practical, science-backed strategies to boost your own curiosity and channel it for success in your career, your relationships, and your daily life. (Doors: $17, or $15 with a student ID.)

Image: Studying the comet NEOWISE in August 2020. (Photo by Palonitor / Wikimedia Commons.)