Why Are We Curious

Genuinely, have you ever pondered how a microwave oven works? It's an electronic device that, despite not having been around for much of human history, has found its way into nearly every household. How does it rapidly cook food, and why we can’t introduce metals? Traditional cooking involves fire and metal pots, yet the microwave operates without either.

Consider the number of orifices in a light outlet – why two or three? Why not just one or maybe four? As you ponder these questions, think about how these aspects of daily life are so normalized, yet we often don't question or explore the curiosity of why they are the way they are.

Early in life, toddlers around ages 2 or 3 start asking "why" incessantly. This curiosity is a sign of their desire to understand the vast and seemingly daunting world around them. Asking "why" helps them build confidence and security as they construct their perception of reality.

Now, why does the brain create or simulate its own perception of reality?

To answer that, let's delve into a fundamental concept: Dopamine. Taste, smell, texture, and temperature contribute to the subjective pleasantness of food, all tied to the mesolimbic dopamine system. This system acts as a reward system, releasing dopamine when we fulfill primary needs. The brain, wired for survival, instinctively seeks rewards through this dopaminergic pathway.

So, why the need for the brain to create its own perception of reality? It's a survival mechanism, evaluating future possibilities to avoid potential dangers. The more your brain yearns to create this simulation, the more rewarding it becomes, pushing you to seek new knowledge about the world.

Humans are inherently curious, driven by a quest for understanding and reward.

As we explore the intricacies of our surroundings, we uncover the fascinating reasons behind the everyday phenomena that shape our lives.

Additional resources:

• The Brain: The story of you (1st ed.). (2017). Pantheon Books.
• The Brain's Reward System in Health and Disease. (2022). National Library of Medicine (NIH)
• The science of Curiosity. (2019). Britannic Curiosity Compass.