Radical Curiosity - by Seth Goldenberg (Hardcover)

About the Book

"A philosophy and practice of asking the deeper, more essential questions required to address the complex problems we face as individuals, businesses, and a society. The rational mind prefers answers over questions. But we live in irrational times. Albert Einstein once said: "If I had sixty minutes to solve a problem and my life depended on it, I'd spend fifty-five minutes determining the right question to ask." At a time when our problems are too complex to be satisfied by familiar answers, today we need questions more than ever. Yet, in a world where information is valued above knowledge, ideology drowns out discourse, and the demands of "doing" leave little space for thinking, curiosity--the engine of inquiry--has become an endangered species. So much of modern life is built upon a set of narratives that have gone unquestioned for too long, says entrepreneur and thought-leader Seth Goldenberg. In this unique blend of modern-day philosophy, cultural criticism, and business strategy, he argues that by embracing radical curiosity, we can we begin rewriting the narratives that no longer serve us, our organizations, or the institutions at the bedrock of our society. To do so, we must adopt a practice of relearning how we learn, reengaging in dialogue, returning to nature, reviving our childlike sense of wonder, and more. A bold and provocative book from a brilliant contrarian thinker, Radical Curiosity reminds us that questioning the status quo is a necessary precondition for progress"--

Book Synopsis

A bold manifesto arguing that the most complex challenges we face today--as individuals, businesses, and a society--require us to ask deeper questions, not seek easier answers

"With this beautifully written book, Seth Goldenberg awakens the gifts we all possess: wonder, optimism, and the fearlessness to reverse destruction."--Bruce Vaughn, vice president of experiential creative product, Airbnb

In a world with an endless hunger for innovation, why is it so hard to create audacious change? According to thought leader Seth Goldenberg, the answer to this question stems from how we, as a society, view questions themselves.

In Radical Curiosity, Goldenberg argues that because we value knowing above learning and prioritize doing over thinking, curiosity has become an endangered species. Only by rediscovering the power of questions can we hope to rewrite the commonly held "legacy" narratives that no longer serve us and to remake our organizations, our politics, and our lives.

With this empowering book, Goldenberg introduces the practice of Radical Curiosity through the lens of seven narratives that are going through significant transformation: Learning, Cohesion, Time, Youth, Aliveness, Nature, and Value. Along the way, he unpacks principles intended to spark our own questioning, including:

- Education is too big to fail, but maybe it should.
- Time travel isn't reserved for DeLoreans.
- Let us now praise rural communities.
- Survival economics have made imagination a luxury good.

Blending philosophy, business strategy, cultural criticism, and fascinating case studies, Radical Curiosity is a new way of solving our most complex problems--one focused not on technology or science but on the power of human inquiry. By asking us to relearn how we learn, reengage in dialogue, revive our youthful sense of wonder, and rethink what we value, it reignites the curiosity needed to imagine and build a better world.

Review Quotes

"A book that I hope gets widely read."--Jaime Herndon, BookRiot

"Seth Goldenberg's deep commitment to curiosity taught me how important it is to ask essential questions. The right questions connect our minds and hearts, and that's how we achieve greatest outcomes."--Denise Young Smith, former vice president of worldwide human resources and talent, Apple

"This book is a new operating manual for humankind that everyone needs to read. It engages both your brain and your heart in wonder and possibilities."--Ivy Ross, vice president of design for hardware, Google

"During this era of fundamental change, Radical Curiosity invites and challenges us to reexamine, with intention and humility, what we need from one another. By doing so, we discover that our interconnectedness is the key to how we can survive and thrive."--Roni Zeiger, MD, head of health strategy, Meta; former chief health strategist, Google

About the Author

Seth Goldenberg is a designer, curator, and entrepreneur who harnesses the power of questioning to catalyze innovation and cultural change. He is the founder and CEO of Curiosity & Co., a one-of-a-kind bookstore, experience laboratory, and design-ventures studio, and the creator of the Ideas Salons, invitational thought-leader retreats that tackle the essential questions of our time.

Goldenberg has led high-profile projects with clients such as Apple, American Express, the Oprah Winfrey Network, and the governor of Rhode Island. He also founded Dialog: City, the civic arts festival for the 2008 Democratic National Convention. His work has been featured in The New York Times, Wired, and Fast Company. He lives on the island of Jamestown, Rhode Island.