Ep. #241: Curiosity, Tiny Experiments & Liminal Space, with Anne-Laure Le Cunff
Jul 25, 2024
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Anne-Laure Le Cunff, a neuroscientist and founder of Ness Labs, shares her insights on curiosity as a driving force for growth. She discusses the transformative power of an 'experimental mindset' and the creation of a supportive community during the pandemic. Emphasizing the importance of embracing uncertainty, she introduces concepts like a 'curiosity prayer' and playful analogies to illustrate how curiosity can enrich relationships. Learn how tiny experiments can lead to significant personal and collective development.
Curiosity thrives in the 'curiosity zone', where recognizing gaps in knowledge inspires individuals to seek answers and foster exploration.
Ness Labs serves as a supportive community platform for knowledge workers, facilitating meaningful exchanges and collaborations through shared curiosity and tiny experiments.
Deep dives
The Curiosity Zone and Information Gap Theory
Curiosity is rooted in the gap between what we know and what we want to know, as suggested by George Lowenstein's information gap theory. This framework posits that curiosity emerges from recognizing a lack of understanding, prompting individuals to seek answers. The concept of the 'curiosity zone' encourages exploration of these gaps, fostering a mindset that embraces ignorance as a valuable stepping stone to discovery. This approach not only enhances personal knowledge but also enriches our shared experiences and conversations in various aspects of life.
Learning in Public and Building Community
The establishment of Nest Labs responds to a growing need for connection and collaboration, particularly amid the isolation experienced during the pandemic. Anne-Laure LeComphe founded this community platform to create a space where individuals can explore their curiosities and learn from one another in a supportive environment. With about 2,000 members, the community thrives on diverse interactions, allowing both active participants and those who prefer to observe to engage at their own comfort levels. This emphasis on quality conversations over quantity fosters a culture of meaningful exchange and personal growth.
Tiny Experiments for Personal Growth
The practice of conducting 'tiny experiments' serves as a framework for approaching uncertainties and doubts in daily life. By applying a scientific mindset to personal inquiries, individuals can set small, manageable tests aimed at answering specific questions about their curiosities. For instance, committing to daily meditation or reaching out to friends for a period exemplifies this approach. The cycle involves asking questions, gathering data, and reflecting on outcomes, ultimately shifting the focus from fear of failure to gaining valuable insights and understanding.
Anne-Laure Le Cunff is a Choose to Be Curious trifecta: researcher, theoretician -- and practitioner. A neuroscientist and deep thinker about the personal and social implications of our curiosity, she conducts tiny experiments to focus closely on how we use our time and energy to best effect.
Anne-Laure is the founder of Ness Labs, a collective platform for curious people, where “ambitious knowledge workers come together to achieve their goals without sacrificing their mental health.”
Ness Labs offers content, coaching, courses and--perhaps most importantly--a community for learning in public together.
I am excited to see how her vibrant and collective study-and-practice culture shapes how we think about curiosity in the years ahead.
More about Anne-Laure Le Cunff: https://anne-laure.net
Theme music by Sean Balick; “Discovery Harbor” by Cloud Harbor, via Blue Dot Sessions.
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