"98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed"

We can probably skip the introduction of ChatGPT. But how did you feel when you first checked it out? Some of you might have felt a slight pressure in your chest—"A new product! Another knowledge gap I need to close quickly, or else... [fill in the blank]," while others may have felt a wide smile spread across your face and your heart swell—"A new product! An opportunity to explore and dive into the unknown."

I’m careful not to label you too quickly, but—those of you who were more cautious and felt a real pressure in your chest when it came to knowledge, nice to meet you, you’d be categorized as Type-D curiosity (and if that pressure was genuine, it’s a good idea to get it checked out). And for those of you who felt excited and had the urge to dive right in, nice to meet you as well—you’ve exhibited Type-I curiosity. Your preferences and behaviors, regardless of which type of curiosity arose, can change over time [1][2].

A little explanation—epistemic curiosity is a type of curiosity related to the desire to acquire knowledge and understand new information. Type-D epistemic curiosity is characterized by a more passive and reactive approach to seeking new information. It is often driven by external cues or incentives rather than a substantive desire to learn. Type-D epistemic curiosity is often associated with lower levels of motivation and may be less effective in promoting learning and intellectual development. In contrast, Type-I epistemic curiosity is characterized by a desire to explore and learn about the world, with a proactive and positive approach to seeking new information and experiences. It is often accompanied by a sense of wonder about the unknown, is linked to higher levels of motivation, and is considered a key factor in learning and intellectual development.

Do you remember Dr. Seuss's book ("Theodor Seuss Geisel")—"Oh, the Places You'll Go!"? Published in 1990, it tells the story of a young person's journey through life and encourages readers to embrace new challenges and opportunities. Perhaps one reason it is so beloved is that it primarily promotes Type-I curiosity—exploring new places, a sense of adventure, trying new things, and embracing the unknown. If you possess Type-I curiosity, the following quote likely resonates with you, and you approach the opportunity to learn something new without fear—

"And will you succeed? Yes! You will indeed! (98 and 3/4 percent guaranteed.)"

A glimpse into the coaching realm: In the coaching process, questions arise related to curiosity and the desire to discover something new—"Where is my drive to learn something new hiding?" "Why am I feeling bored?" "What would I find interesting to do if I could choose?" "How do I discover a new world?" "What is the first step?"

I asked ChatGPT for a short poem about Type-I curiosity versus Type-D curiosity, inspired by Dr. Seuss's book "Oh, the Places You'll Go!"

It turned out great; I didn’t change a thing. Did you like it?

Verse 1:

There's a type of curiosity that's wild and free

It's the type-I, oh how it's meant to be

It's the kind that makes you want to explore

To see what's out there, and maybe even more

Chorus:

Oh, the places your curiosity will go

Type-I, it's the one you ought to know

It'll take you on a journey, that's for sure

To see what's out there and maybe even more

Verse 2:

But there's another type, it's type-D you see

It's the one that makes you curious, but not quite free

It's the kind that's always asking "why"

It's the kind that's always asking, "Oh my, oh my"

Chorus:

Oh, the places your curiosity will go

Type-D, it's the one you ought to know

It'll take you on a journey, that's for sure

To see what's out there and maybe even more

Bridge:

So which one will you choose, type-I or type-D?

One's wild and free, the other's asking "why"

Either way, you'll learn and you'll grow

So go out there and let your curiosity flow

Chorus:

Oh, the places your curiosity will go

Type-I or type-D, it's up to you to know

It'll take you on a journey, that's for sure

To see what's out there and maybe even more

Source: DALL·E A photorealistic image of a curios traveler taken from the scene of Dr. Seuss’s “Oh, the Places You'll Go!"

[1]

Marco Lauriola, Jordan A. Litman, Patrick Mussel, Riccardo De Santis, Howard M. Crowson, Robert R. Hoffman, Epistemic curiosity and self-regulation, Personality and Individual Differences, Volume 83, 2015, Pages 202-207, ISSN 0191-8869, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.paid.2015.04.017.

[2]

Kashdan TB, Rose P, Fincham FD. Curiosity and exploration: facilitating positive subjective experiences and personal growth opportunities. J Pers Assess. 2004 Jun;82(3):291-305. doi: 10.1207/s15327752jpa8203_05. PMID: 15151805.