The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Curiosity

          @misc{ pirsa_PIRSA:16060043,
            doi = {10.48660/16060043},
            url = {https://pirsa.org/16060043},
            author = {Briggs, Andrew},
            keywords = {Quantum Foundations},
            language = {en},
            title = {The Unreasonable Effectiveness of Curiosity},
            publisher = {Perimeter Institute},
            year = {2016},
            month = {jun},
            note = {PIRSA:16060043 see, \url{https://pirsa.org}}
          }
          

Abstract

Curiosity about how the world works can lead to beneficial progress in technology, and vice-versa. This kind of interplay can be found in quantum nanoscience, where foundationally motivated experiments and technologically motivated experiments often use similar materials and techniques, because both involve extending the realm of non-classical behaviour. At a higher level, curiosity about ultimate questions such as meaning and purpose can create an environment that is conducive to scientific breakthroughs, and many of the best minds in science have also been curious about deeper realities. Eugene Wigner described the miracle of the effectiveness of mathematics as a wonderful gift which we neither understand nor deserve. The same could be said of curiosity.