On Curiosity

                                            RACHAEL and MELVYN
                                                       On Curiosity

R. Why was God so angry when Adam and Eve ate from the tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil?

M. Because they disobeyed Him.

R. Surely God would like us to be wiser and more knowledgeable and generally more use?

M. So you are in favour of curiosity?

R. Of course!

M. Even if you have to destroy the world to find the answer?

R. That’s silly! How could curiosity destroy the world?

M. Curiosity leads to understanding, then tinkering, then exploiting, then destroying. It’s called Capitalism. Bang go the Blue-finned Tuna.

R. Rubbish!

M. OK. Let’s say unbridled curiosity can lead to those bad outcomes. People used to think that Awe and Wonder at God’s creation were better than curiosity, until Francis Bacon and Galileo and co came along. They were all for Finding Things Out.

R. But lots of good things have been discovered.

M. Indeed. But meanwhile we are gobbling up the world. Lets gobble some marmalade toasties instead.

R. And mugs of tea, please.