Mastering curiosity during lockdown
I have always been curious and excited to discover new things and experience something different, whether that be the arts: literature, visual, graphic, architecture, or entertainment: theatre, film, music and comedy.
“The mind that opens to a new idea never returns to its original size.”
Growing up in London was fantastic for a curious mind. As a kid, trips to exhibition road in South Kensington were magical. A day spent visiting the Natural History Museum, Science Museum, or the V&A were genuinely fantastic and created more questions than answers for a young mind. As I grew older and started working, film and music become the source of inspiration and lead to an exciting time working in the art department at Island Records in Hammersmith.
At school, I gravitated towards the arts for A-level - choosing English Literature and Art. The headmaster persuaded me to pick Economics over CDT for the third subject, which has proved beneficial in the long run. However, my learning style was not suited to quickly mastering the subject, needing the entire two years to develop a passable understanding.
After school, I continued with the arts, studying graphic design and photography at college and became absorbed with the work of artists like; Diane Arbus, Ansell Adams, Peter Saville, Neville Broady and many, many more. Many weekends would be spent searching charity shops and second-hand bookshops looking for reference books from artists of all genres as I built up a broad understanding of art history and an appreciation of differing styles of expression.
This fascination with seeing the subject matter helps with my main style of learning, which is visual. Combining visual with Kinesthetic learning has helped me develop new skills over the years, which has been hugely beneficial, especially while working at Forge as we grew into a full-service Marketing Agency.
It has been challenging to maintain my curiosity with galleries, cinemas, libraries, theatres, and bookshops being closed during the lockdown.
“I have always had a curious nature; I enjoy learning, but I dislike being taught.”
I came across Masterclass while mindlessly scrolling through Instagram while 'not watching' Netflix one evening and was intrigued. They were advertising a Masterclass from Jimmy Chin, the award-winning adventure photographer and climber. I looked at their website and saw a couple of Masterclass introductions, and I was immediately hooked. Curiosity piqued!
Netflix and Disney subscriptions cancelled, and an annual pass for Masterclass selected. As part of the annual pass, you can gift a full membership to another curios soul for free.
Each tutor has a series of video lessons lasting on average about 10 minutes each. The total length of each course is anywhere from 2 hours - 4 hours.
The great thing about Masterclass is that the tutors are experts in their field and the production values of the videos are amazing. You get the sense that it is a personal lesson. Imagine having a one to one with Martin Scorsese and listening to him explain his secrets to Mastering filmmaking.
It provides a wonderful insight into their drive and ambition and how they became writers, photographers, entrepreneurs, chefs, economists, strategists, artists, poker players, and an astronaut.
There is something in there for everyone, from learning tennis by Serena Williams to songwriting with Alicia Keys and cooking with Yotam Ottolenghi to learning conservation with Dr Jane Goodall.
So far, I've completed 29 courses containing 551 lessons. The membership cost me £170, meaning that I've spent 30p per lesson and £5.86 per course. If I were asked a year ago what I would pay for a 3 hour tutorial from Graphic Designer - David Carson, it would closer to £586 than £5.86.
In addition to the video lessons, you can download a coursebook that details all the essential exercises - a great memento of the course and further insight into the tutor.
It has been a lifeline for a curious mind and a constant source of inspiration over the last year, and I'm excited for the year to come as they add new Masterclasses.
“I think I benefited from being equal parts ambitious and curious. And of the two, curiosity has served me best.”
The list of courses completed so far are:
Ken Burns - Documentary Film Making
Chris Voss - The Art of Negotiation
Paul Krugman - Economics
Robin Roberts - Effective and Authentic Communication
Jimmy Chin - Adventure Photography
Sara Blakely - Self Made Entrepreneurship
Werner Herzog - Filmmaking
Bob Iger - Business Strategy and Leadership
Annie Leibovitz - Photography
Dan Brown - Writing Thrillers
Doris Kearns Goodwin - US Presidential History and Leadership
Jeff Goodby & Rich Silverstein - Advertising and Creativity
Neil De Grasse Tyson - Scientific Thinking and Communication
David Axelrod & Karl Rove - Campaign Strategy and Messaging
Bod Woodward - Investigative Journalism
Frank Gehry - Design and Architecture
Chris Hadfield - Space Exploration
Anna Winter - Creativity and Leadership
Daniel Pink - Sales and Persuasion
Howard Schultz - Business Leadership
Ron Finlay - Gardening
Joyce Carol Oates - The Art of the Short Story
Neil Gaiman - The Art of Storytelling
Billy Collins - Reading and Writing Poetry
Judy Blume - Writing
Walter Mosley - Fiction and Storytelling
David Carson - Graphic Design
Jeff Koons - Art and Creativity
David Lynch - Creativity and Film.