Humans are Infovores

The nurse left work at five o'clock. My heart stopped beating at 5:01.

So anyways….

But wait, I hear you protest. What about this nurse situation? What happened next?

You’re curious. And you can’t help it – because curiosity is a drive we’re born with. It is actually associated with that same delicious feeling you get when you are at a venue and about to see your favorite artist – and things are about 5 minutes from kicking off.

The anticipation – it’s killing you! That same state This same state of anticipation is at play when we’re about to find the answers to stuff we’re curious about. Where we anticipate reward. The reward of finding out what the answer is.

“Human beings are designed to be ‘infovores’.” – neuroscientist Irving Biederman

Knowing stuff helped our ancestors survive. It was an incredibly valuable trait. So valuable, that the cellular and molecular mechanisms which encouraged us to acquire information were integrated right into the brain’s reward network.

In particular, the same receptors that activated by morphine: the mu-opioid receptors. Mu-opioid receptors are the ones that respond to morphine, which is dispensed for pain. But are also associated with visual processing.

How strange.

Actually not, though, when you think about. Say a more adventurous member of the tribe went out scouting and discovered a hidden lake stocked with fish. A secrete grove overflowing with edible wild berries. Some ample new hunting grounds. It was vital they remember the location and all the relevant details – ie. all the relevant visuals.

“Visual information engages our memories.” – neuroscientist Irving Biederman

No wonder stories enhance learning experiences so much. The best ones evoke unforgettable imagery, while the plot taps into our natural curiosity. And when we’re in a state of high-curiosity, we not only learn more – but over time, we end end up retaining more of it.

Including what happened next with the nurse…