We’ve all had moments when a simple question pops into our heads, only to fade away before we can dive deeper into it.
But what if those very questions hold the key to breakthroughs that could change our understanding of the world?
Adam Savage, the former MythBusters co-host, argues that even the most basic inquiries can push the boundaries of human knowledge.
The beauty lies in the simple methods that led to some of science’s greatest discoveries—methods that anyone, regardless of their background, could follow.
In fact, the most revolutionary ideas often emerge not from complex, high-tech equipment or years of education, but from curiosity and a willingness to ask the right question.
A Lesson from Richard Feynman: Curiosity is the Gateway to Understanding
To illustrate the power of curiosity-driven inquiry, Savage cites the example of Richard Feynman, one of the most brilliant theoretical physicists of the 20th century.
Feynman’s work reshaped our understanding of quantum mechanics and particle physics, but his curiosity began at a very young age with a seemingly insignificant question.
One day, as a child, Feynman was walking with his father when he asked why a ball in his wagon rolled to the back whenever the wagon moved forward.
His father’s answer was simple:
“That’s inertia.” When young Feynman pressed further, asking what inertia actually was, his father responded with a playful, yet profound, answer:
“Inertia is the name scientists give to the phenomenon of the ball going to the back of the wagon.”
His father, ever the playful mentor, went on to say, “In truth, no one really knows.”
This candid admission from his father marked the beginning of Feynman’s lifelong quest to uncover the mysteries of the universe.
It was the spark that set him on a journey to explore fundamental questions in physics that would shape modern science.
Feynman didn’t just accept the idea of inertia as an answer—he pursued it. And in doing so, he would eventually help unravel some of the deepest secrets of nature.
This story is an illustration of how seemingly simple questions—the kind we may dismiss as naïve or trivial—can lead to profound insights and discoveries.
As Savage explains in his TED talk, the simplest questions can take us all the way to the edge of human knowledge.
In fact, many of the most important scientific breakthroughs throughout history started with just such questions.
The Surprising Origins of Groundbreaking Discoveries
Take, for example, Eratosthenes, the ancient Greek mathematician and astronomer who is best known for calculating the Earth’s circumference.
It’s easy to imagine him as a distant figure from the past, equipped with nothing more than a rudimentary understanding of mathematics and astronomy.
Yet, in 200 BC, Eratosthenes used an incredibly simple yet ingenious method to measure the Earth’s size.
He noticed that, at noon on the summer solstice, the Sun cast no shadow in the Egyptian city of Syene (modern-day Aswan).
However, in Alexandria, a city north of Syene, the Sun did cast a shadow at the same time.
By measuring the angle of the shadow in Alexandria, Eratosthenes was able to estimate the Earth’s circumference with remarkable accuracy—calculating it to be approximately 39,375 kilometers, which is only about 1% off the modern measurement.
Eratosthenes didn’t have advanced telescopes, satellites, or even a modern understanding of the Earth’s spherical shape.
Yet, he used a creative and simple approach that anyone could follow.
His work is a testament to how curiosity and creativity can lead to insights that seem almost impossible at first glance.
In the same vein, consider Hippolyte Fizeau, a French physicist who, in 1849, became the first person to measure the speed of light accurately.
Fizeau’s method involved shining light through a rotating cogwheel and measuring how long it took for the light to reflect back from a distant mirror.
The result was a figure remarkably close to what we now know as the speed of light—299,792 kilometers per second.
Again, Fizeau didn’t have the sophisticated equipment we have today.
But by using a clever, creative approach, he was able to make a groundbreaking measurement that would lay the foundation for the study of light for generations to come.
These examples show that scientific discoveries don’t always come from complex tools or high-level theories.
Sometimes, they arise from the most basic questions and creative problem-solving methods.
Whether it’s Feynman’s curiosity about inertia, Eratosthenes’ observation of the Sun, or Fizeau’s ingenious light experiment, these scientists were driven by a desire to understand the world around them—
and they dared to ask the questions that others might have overlooked.
The Power of Simple Questions: A Shift in Perspective
Now, let’s challenge a commonly held assumption about the way scientific discoveries are made.
Most of us tend to think that revolutionary breakthroughs come from advanced technology or brilliant minds working in well-funded labs.
We imagine that great scientists must have access to cutting-edge tools and the best education money can buy.
And while that can certainly be true in some cases, these examples show that the most profound discoveries often come from people who, like Feynman, Fizeau, and Eratosthenes, started with nothing more than curiosity and ingenuity.
Many of us may believe that scientific inquiry requires specialized knowledge, expensive equipment, or years of training to even begin asking the right questions.
But the truth is, you don’t need a PhD or a state-of-the-art lab to start making discoveries. What you need is an open mind and a willingness to look at the world in a new way.
Savage’s message is clear: you don’t need to be a genius to push the boundaries of human knowledge.
All you need is the willingness to ask the right question—and the creativity to find answers in places others might overlook.
So, the next time you wonder why something works the way it does, or what causes a certain phenomenon, remember that your simple question could be the starting point for the next major scientific breakthrough.
How Simple Questions Can Change the World
So, what does this all mean for us today?
In a world where complexity and specialization seem to dominate every field, it’s easy to forget that great discoveries often begin with the simplest of questions.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a student, a curious thinker, or just someone with a passion for learning—the path to discovery is open to anyone willing to ask questions and seek answers.
Consider how much of our modern understanding of the world comes from people who were ordinary in many ways but had the audacity to question the status quo.
Eratosthenes, for instance, didn’t have the global reach of modern science, but his creative thinking allowed him to answer a question that had baffled people for centuries.
Feynman, meanwhile, didn’t have all the answers—he just had the curiosity to ask the right questions.
By embracing a mindset of inquisitiveness and exploration, we can all follow in the footsteps of these great scientists.
The key is to remain open to asking those seemingly simple questions, and to trust that the answers we uncover can lead to profound insights about the world.
The Science of Curiosity: Why It’s Time to Ask More Questions
In conclusion, there’s an undeniable power in asking simple questions—whether it’s about the motion of a ball in a wagon, the size of the Earth, or the speed of light.
Each of these questions has the potential to unlock something extraordinary.
And if we’re willing to embrace curiosity and creativity in our daily lives, we too can contribute to the growing body of knowledge that shapes the world.
Adam Savage’s TED talk serves as a powerful reminder that science is not reserved for the elite few—it is for everyone.
It’s not about having all the answers, but about constantly questioning and exploring the world around us.
So, the next time you find yourself wondering about something—whether it’s the behavior of everyday objects or the mysteries of the universe—don’t be afraid to ask.
Your simple question might just be the next step towards an answer that could change the world.
Watch Adam Savage’s TED Talk to see more about how simple questions and creative thinking have led to some of the most extraordinary discoveries in science.
