Help me Define “Insanely Interested in Everything”
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I want this blog to be a place where we help each other understand the world and how we fit in it. Not just a place where I broadcast my ideas to the world.
That’s why today, I have a task for you: I’d love to hear you define what “Insanely Interested in Everything” means to you.
You’ve read the four words many times: Insanely interested in Everything.
You see them in my posts. You see them and at the top of the blog. If you google them, you know where you will end up. And soon, the whole blog will be renamed to “Insanely Interested (in Everything).”
But, there is one thing that has been pushed forward for all these months.
That is, really defining what Insanely Interested in Everything means and who the insanely interested, the target audience for this blog, are.
I have touched the topic a few times in the past:
- In December, I shared a list of seven signs to show that you might be insanely interested in everything.
- In May, I wrote a short series on focus for the insanely interested.
- And a few days ago, the best effort in finding a definition so far: Experts, Generalists and the Tyranny of OR.
And with today’s post, I hope to get one step closer to understanding what we mean with the catch phrase. But I can’t do it alone. Here’s what I want to do instead:
Help me define the insanely interested
YOU (we, actually) are the people I’m talking about, the insanely interested.
That’s why, to make the definition perfect, I need your input. I need to hear how you would define yourself, and what being insanely interested in everything (= many things) means to you.
Also, if your grandma, uncle or next door neighbour is a prototype example of being insanely interested in everything, feel free to mention her in the comments as well. Every tip and idea that helps us have a clear image of this kind of person is more than welcome.
In the coming weeks, I will then pick a handful of you to be my Insanely Interested in Everything case study subjects (if you don’t want to be included, let me know). I will ask you a few questions over email and publish your answers on this blog.
If you have a blog, I will link to it.
And if not, you can just consider this a great opportunity to introduce yourself to the community.
So, don’t hesitate any longer: leave a comment and share your thoughts!
Traits of a Person Insanely Interested in Everything
If you like, you can also read on and see what I’ve been thinking before sharing your thoughts. Just don’t let my ideas guide your thinking too much: I want to hear what’s on your mind.
- Curiosity: My brother, Tiitus, told me that according to his biology school book (he’s a third-year high school student) a defining trait of the human species is the ability (and willingness) to play, learn and try out new things even as adults. Apparently, most animals stop playing and experimenting with new things when they grow up. And sadly, so do many humans. Not the insanely interested.
- Ideas: We are full of ideas. Many of them will never be implemented, but if we write them down and keep them safe, they can lead to some bigger things in the future (see next trait).
- Not afraid to mix things up: I have linked to The Medici Effect quite a few times already, but if for some reason you haven’t clicked on the link yet, do it now. The pdf version of the book is free. I believe the book talks about being insanely interested in everything, although it uses a different word, intersectionalist.
- Not afraid to try out things you know nothing about: A cautious person could never become insanely interested in too many things. He would look at all the possibilities and become intimidated by the fact that they are outside his expertise. Then, instead taking the risk of broadening his expertise, he decides to stick to what he knows he can do very well.
- An entrepreneurial mind: This goes together with what has been said above. If you are creative, curious, and not afraid to try things out, you are great material for entrepreneurship.
- A generalist specialist: This is what I wrote about in my latest post about insanely interested people. I think the word generalist (or even worse, Jack of all trades) has a bad connotation of not being that good in anything, and that we should instead focus on the fact that the insanely interested are experts in many of the things they are interested in. You wouldn’t call Jonathan Fields a master of none, would you?
This is what I’ve got right now: being insanely interested in everything means being an entrepreneurial expert open to new things — curious and always willing to learn more.
But now, it’s your turn.
I can’t wait to hear what being insanely interested in everything means to you. Or what makes you insanely interested in everything. And how you would define the term to your friends or relatives.
Let’s talk!
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August 28th, 2008 at 9:10 am
Okay, I really like this assignment… I think I should give it thought and mosy on back. But I do think that there’s nothing more important than curiosity.
Writer Dads last blog post..A Breath of Fresh Air
August 29th, 2008 at 5:55 am
This title “Insanely Interested in Everything” certainly applies to me for there’s nothing it seems that doesn’t fascinate me and make me want to know more about it. People, places, stuff, topics, vocabulary, history–you name it–I’m curious about everything.
Living in the age of the internet is perfect for those of us who are insanely interested in everything because it gives us so much opportunity to research, study, and satisfy our curiosity.
Currently I’m a prolific blogger, networker, writer, artist, and lots of other things too. There’s not enough hours in a day for me to fit in all the many things I love to do and experience.
Kuanyins last blog post..Blog-Blond Runs For President
August 29th, 2008 at 11:41 am
People who are insanely interested in everything combine their skills from one craft to another. I don’t think that a single skill will take you as far as a few skills combined.
It’s pretty common for entrepreneurs to be Jacks of all trades, but even though they are often interested in a LOT of things, they still do what they love the most. It might change, and there might be a few of those things, but still, being interested in things is the key to evolution. There are no new things, only combinations of old things, and one cannot combine without thinking out of the context.
And…for the determination. Maybe this blog is for people who want to make things happen in a new way? I, for one, am such a reader.
C2162s last blog post..Uusi internet-markkinointitapahtuma Jyväskylään
August 29th, 2008 at 1:02 pm
@Writer Dad: Yep, curiosity is a great answer :)
@Kuanyin: Yes, the internet makes a huge difference in giving more possibilities to express your insane curiosity. Blogging, wikipedia, networking possibilities. It’s huge.
@C2162: The Medici Effect has a really good related idea, as it says that most intersectionalists have some core skills (like software development experience, writing, business) and then when they move that experience to the intersection of different areas of expertise, they can come up with new, exciting ideas.
And determination. That’s the hardest - and at the same time, the most important trait of all. Creating lots of ideas (and trying them out) is the most sure-fire way to create more great ideas.
I love the way you summarize the blog as a blog for people who want to make things happen in a new way.
August 29th, 2008 at 1:53 pm
Hi Jarkko - Great question! I am coming back to answer this after I have a cup of coffee. :)
marks last blog post..Where are you? Why I am on BLOGCATION!
August 29th, 2008 at 9:28 pm
I think something else we have in common is that we want to share our knowledge. Educate, if you will. We want to reach out to others, not just for self validation, but perhaps to inspire meaningful change to others and the world around us. In sharing our knowledge we hope that others will show knowledge with us, who in turn inspire us further.
August 29th, 2008 at 10:51 pm
“That’s why, to make the definition perfect, I need your input. I need to hear how you would define yourself, and what being insanely interested in everything (= many things) means to you.”
Personally, I think that one characteristic shared by many IIiEs is ADD or ADHD. This means that switching from topic to topic comes naturally (and is often a major weakness), but that they can also have amazing powers to hyperfocus when they find something absolutely fascinating.
I’m pretty sure that if my educational experience had been conventional, that I would have been diagnosed with ADD.
Speaking of conventional, most IIiEs that I can think of are pretty unconventional in their thinking, probably as a result of constantly switching topics, and thus seeing the connections between them.
So, yeah… I’m pretty sure that I qualify as an IIiE. :-)
September 1st, 2008 at 5:56 am
@nimic: Good point.
That goes well with C2162’s notion that we want to make things happen: maybe one way we use to make things happen is exactly through reaching out to others and inspiring them (so that we can get inspired too).
@Joshua: That’s an interesting thought. I guess I need to learn more about ADD. But from what I know about it so far, I guess there is more than a grain of truth in what you’re saying. Switching attention from one thing to another sure seems to be something that goes rather (too) naturally for an IIiE.
Great thoughts so far! Keep your ideas coming! :)
September 1st, 2008 at 3:56 pm
Hi Jarkko - well, I had a chance to mull it over and I guess “Insanely Interested” to me means that I have many goals, interests (duh!), and ideas.
People who allow themselves to pursue their insanely interested nature, I think, tend to be entrepreneurial in spirit and they are not afraid to fail.
September 1st, 2008 at 11:59 pm
Curiosity and ideas are what drives me. I’m curious about what’s new and I try to figure things out. I come up with ideas all the time - especially in areas not in my expertise. People tend to roll their eyes in my company when I say “I got an idea.” I’m also talented in the sense that I can think of new uses for things or adapt things for new uses. My only wish or regret is that I could focus on one thing long enough to be a success at it. I tend to start over a lot - like learning a program - because of distractions.
September 2nd, 2008 at 9:36 am
@Mark: That pretty much confirms my thoughts, thanks! I believe we’re on the right track to defining the topic for this blog.
@Ryan: Hehe, I know the feeling of having people roll their eyes at your ideas ;)
I just finished reading The Medici Effect, and your description fits perfectly what the author calls an intersectionalist: someone who works at the intersection of things outside of his/her own expertise.
September 2nd, 2008 at 4:19 pm
I think it’s a curiosity in everything, just an ever growing thirst for knowledge. Becoming a sponge and learning every bit of knowledge you come across. IMO, this always brings success.
September 2nd, 2008 at 6:19 pm
@Scrubs: A sponge… I like that metaphor. That’s why I’m absorbing it just like a sponge.
I sure hope this approach will bring success… Otherwise, I’ll be doomed for spreading the idea over the internet ;)
October 31st, 2008 at 1:51 pm
ME!