Curiosity is never just curiosity.

If we look closely, there’s always a thread connecting it to another part of who we are, and influencing how we engage with our communities.

That thread is what inspired me to create the Curious Ones — to offer a space where we can take a closer look at society’s relationship with curiosity: how it impacts our worldview, how it connects us, and how it's at risk of decline. (Not to mention I also wanted an excuse to pursue explorations, musings, and discussions with curious people doing courageous things!)

We, as humans in the world, need this space right now to have some long—overdue conversations about curiosity. I increasingly hear people saying that the world is too depressing to keep reading about, or too complex to try to understand.

But any form of turning a blind eye, turning a page, truncating a conversation, or scrolling past a headline, is an active stifling of our curiosity. When these coping mechanisms are engaged repeatedly, incuriosity flourishes, and it shape-shifts into something akin to willful ignorance.

So instead of chasing the limiting concept of good vibes only, it’s time to strengthen our relationship with curiosity, and use the endless entry points it offers to explore the world around us, and our fellow humans.

And did I mention that, according to Science, curiosity can help us navigate life calmer, smarter, and kinder?

It’s time to come together, and spark it or lose it!

Curious to hear what sparks the minds of people who harness their curiosity to do big things? Same.

Which is why, aside from essays on various curiosity-linked topics, the Curious Ones will also focus on Curious Chat. In this section I’ll be talking to curious people doing courageous things.

Whether they’re using their platform to raise the voices of others, or adding depth to previously one-dimensional narratives, they’re all harnessing their own curiosity to drive their work forward. By forging these paths, they’re giving each of us the opportunity to use our curiosity to expand the conversation with ourselves, and with society around us. 

Hello, I’m Lara!

With previous work in international media, current volunteer work with Impact Lebanon and Impact Lebanon Charity, and a background in international relations and psychology, (as well as a stint in the wine industry), I don’t offer any particularly unique qualifications for being here.

I did spend much of my life, however, believing that I was doing curiosity wrong. The experience left me curious about curiosity in general, and, more specifically, how it shapes our worldview and impacts society.

You can follow along on tCO’s Substack for additional in-depth writing.