--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: We want to see ourselves as curious and…" description: "\"We want to see ourselves as curious and open-minded and smart and understanding things in terms of context and nuance, but when someone tries to do tha..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/jon-ronson-1772_curious_we-want-to-see-ourselves-as-curious-and_1022515.png" --- # We want to see ourselves as curious and open-minded and… ![“We want to see ourselves as curious and open-minded and smart and understanding things in terms of context and nuance, but when someone tries to do that in the midst of a shaming they're turned on.” quote by Jon Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/jon-ronson-1772_curious_we-want-to-see-ourselves-as-curious-and_1022515.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/jon-ronson-1772_curious_we-want-to-see-ourselves-as-curious-and_1022515.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/19b/jon-ronson-1772_curious_we-want-to-see-ourselves-as-curious-and_1022515.png) > “We want to see ourselves as curious and open-minded and smart and understanding things in terms of context and nuance, but when someone tries to do that in the midst of a shaming they're turned on.” [Jon Ronson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jon-ronson/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. People claim to value curiosity and nuance, yet they react defensively when confronted with criticism. **In simple terms:** People say they’re open‑minded but shut down when shamed. Key Takeaway Align actions with stated values. Themes open‑mindedness criticism self‑awareness social dynamics Mood thoughtful analytical Type philosophical observational When to use this quote - online debates - academic discussions - team meetings Key Concepts cognitive dissonance social pressure Questions to Reflect On - What triggers defensive reactions in open‑minded settings? - How can we foster true curiosity without shame? A Different Perspective Self‑protection can mask genuine curiosity. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Curious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/curious/) [Midst](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/midst/) [Midst Shaming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/midst-shaming-2288069/) [Nuance](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/nuance/) [Of context](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/of-context/) [Open minded](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/open-minded/) [Shaming](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shaming/) [Shaming Turned](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shaming-turned-2288070/) [Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/smart/) [Term](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/term/) [Trying](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/trying/) [Understanding](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding/) [Understanding things](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/understanding-things/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) [Want Curious](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want-curious-2288071/) ## Related quotes > [A curious mind does not say to consumers "What do you want?" 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I am.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robin-hobb/understanding-how-or-why-is-very-seldom-as-useful-as-understanding/) [Robin Hobb](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robin-hobb/) > [I like to know why a video has suddenly gone viral, why a song has broken, why a TV show is suddenly rating out…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-cowell/i-like-to-know-why-a-video-has-suddenly-gone-viral-why-a-song-has/) [Simon Cowell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-cowell/) > [Synthesize new ideas constantly. Never read passively. Annotate, model, think, and synthesize while you read, even when you're reading what you conceive to be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edward-boyden/synthesize-new-ideas-constantly-never-read-passively-annotate-model/) [Edward Boyden](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edward-boyden/) > [...God does not possess a private knowledge of Himself and a separate knowledge of all the creatures in common. 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I think it really does look so different for everyone who does it, I'm always…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gracie-abrams/i-don-t-know-what-successful-journaling-really-looks-like-i-think-it/) [Gracie Abrams](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gracie-abrams/) > [“So curious you must be. Like little calves poking their heads through the fence with big eyes and a headful of curiosity.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/carew-papritz/so-curious-you-must-be-like-little-calves-poking-their-heads-through/) [Carew Papritz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/carew-papritz/) > [Our world is drowning in a sea of self-centeredness. 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