The Future Belongs to the Curious

From Photographer to Entrepreneur: Lessons Learned Building a Brand Fueled by Curiosity

THE FUTURE BELONGS TO THE CURIOUS

Eureka! An urban legend says that Archimedes, the Greek mathematician and inventor, was given a task by a king. Could he determine if a crown was made of pure gold or mixed with silver? While pondering the problem in a bath, Archimedes noticed that the water level rose as he submerged himself. He realized that the volume of water displaced was equal to the volume of his body. This insight allowed him to determine the crown's density by comparing its weight to the same volume of pure gold. Excited by his discovery, he shouted, "Eureka!" (meaning "I have found it!") and ran through the streets naked. The "eureka moment" – is when you have a sudden realization or breakthrough in understanding.

This thrill of discovery and embracing challenges led me down a rabbit hole into the world of public-domain images in February 2018. I stumbled upon a seemingly inexhaustible source of vintage film posters and artwork, all free from copyright restrictions. These are called Public Domain Images—images that are not subject to copyright restrictions, meaning they can be freely used, modified, and distributed without permission. The excitement of this discovery was thrilling, and it opened up a whole new world of creative possibilities for me.

This revelation was also paradoxical for me, a photographer who had spent years fiercely guarding my work and obsessed with my copyright. Now I was freed from my fragile ego as an artist. I didn't need to create anything new because I could just remix the past. And I no longer worried if someone criticized or didn't like my photography. I hadn't created anything new, and it wasn't mine. I was just curating my own selection of art. Just like now, as I write this, I am not necessarily creating new thoughts but selecting the exact words everyone uses and transforming them into something new.

I had a treasure chest full of never ending riches. The allure of limitless creative potential was irresistible. There were hundreds of online archives of images in high resolution and hundreds of digital museums teeming with inspiration and begging to be explored. I spent countless nights downloading hundreds of photos. I had no formal background in art or design, so my recklessness made anything possible. I had no formal concept in mind to get in the way of chaotically and randomly trying to download everything.

My hyperfocus, a hallmark of my neurodivergent "ADHD" mind, propelled me to transform these old images into "new gold," much like an alchemist. I could focus for many hours, and others would get overwhelmed and give up. This journey of discovery and creation culminated in the birth of my brand—KURIOSIS, inspired by the German word "kurios," which itself derives from the Latin "curiosus."?

The word "kurios" (curious, strange, odd) originates from the Latin word "curiosus," meaning "careful," "attentive," or "inquisitive." It was adopted into German around 1600, initially signifying "diligently pursuing a matter, inquisitive." Due to the influence of the French, its meaning evolved in the 17th century to "worth knowing, interesting, remarkable." Through frequent use and irony, its meaning shifted to "strange, peculiar" at the beginning of the 18th century. The current spelling "kurios" only became common in Germany in the 20th century.

After I knew I had found the right word for my new venture, I also knew I needed a motto to encapsulate this meaning. I came across this quote while researching one night:? "The future belongs to the curious. The ones who are not afraid to try it, explore it, poke at it, question it, and turn it inside out." -? John C. Maxwell,

One day, I decided I needed an advertising banner for my poster. So, I used the phrase "The Future Belongs to the Curious" because it was a way of boasting about my accomplishments. My curiosity was the endless well where I could pour old artwork and make them into new posters.

The years 2018 and 2019 were wonderful years of discovery, business development, and exploration. There were no mistakes to be made because everything could be sold. I would research, download, edit, and print posters weekly. I would take my Dutch bike and go to the market, selling myself and my curiosity.

The man with the moustache in the poster is Nikola Tesla. A visionary inventor and electrical engineer, Tesla aimed to revolutionize the world through his groundbreaking work with electricity. He envisioned a future where clean, renewable energy was accessible to all, untethered by wires and limitations. His most ambitious project, the Wardenclyffe Tower, aimed to achieve wireless power transmission. Today, Nikolas's genius lives on in our modern electrical systems, AC power, and wireless technologies. His innovative spirit and relentless pursuit of progress inspire continued exploration of sustainable energy solutions and the potential of wireless power.

I do not compare myself to Tesla; instead, he inspired me. Later, this inspiration inspired many people to buy this poster. Today, it is found in tens of thousands of homes worldwide. It brings me great joy to know that my journey and inspiration have resonated with so many others.

There is also the saying, "Curiosity killed the cat". This proverb is often used as a warning against excessive inquisitiveness. It serves as a reminder of potential risks and unintended consequences of unchecked exploration. While curiosity fuels discovery and innovation, it can also lead us into unknown territories where danger may lurk. In this metaphor, the cat represents the vulnerable explorer who might succumb to unforeseen perils. However, the proverb also acknowledges the inherent value of curiosity, as the complete phrase is, "Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back." This suggests that while curiosity may lead to trouble, the knowledge and satisfaction gained from exploration can ultimately outweigh the risks.

While my boundless enthusiasm fueled KURIOSIS's success, it also contributed to difficulties when the business grew beyond my control. Despite the setbacks, my curiosity remains undeterred. I continue to embrace the strange, the remarkable, and the impossible, fueled by the belief that the future belongs to those who dare to explore.

So now, I move forward again–always be curious and pursuing the unattainable, the strange, the remarkable, and the impossible!?

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