You’re brilliant at your job. So why do you go quiet when the conversation turns to inflation, history or world politics?

Most of us know one field deeply and everything else only vaguely. We scroll for half an hour, absorb a dozen random facts, and remember none of them by dinner. We nod along. We hope nobody asks a follow-up question.

Curious by Default is the book for everything outside your profession.

It’s a friendly, funny starting point for doctors, engineers, students and busy professionals who want to understand the world better but don’t know where to begin. No jargon. No lectures. No 5 a.m. routines. Just big ideas, explained in the time it takes to boil water.

Inside, you’ll find out:

Why one stuck ship in the Suez Canal delayed shoppers around the world
Why a country can’t simply print money to get rich
How a single word can change what you remember seeing
Why a theft turned the Mona Lisa into the world’s most famous painting
How memory champions memorise a deck of cards in seconds, and what that teaches the rest of us

Every chapter is built to be fun and to stick:

The Rabbit Hole: a surprising question that pulls you in
The Five-Minute Lesson: one big idea, explained simply
Know It Well Enough to Explain It: a quick test so you actually remember it
Where to Go Next: hand-picked books, documentaries and podcasts for going deeper

You’ll explore money, history, science, the brain, culture and world politics, then learn a simple system to remember what you read, plus a 30-day curiosity challenge to make learning your new default.

Perfect for:

Professionals who want to be more well-rounded
Anyone trying to swap mindless scrolling for something better
Curious minds who love a good “wait, really?” moment
A thoughtful gift for the friend who asks great questions

Curiosity isn’t a talent. It’s a habit. And it starts with one chapter.