what killed the cat?

Curiosity killed the cat. I must've heard that a thousand times growing up.

Every kid hears those words the moment they ask one question too many.

It's a way of shutting down conversation. It's not the cat being killed, it's your curiosity. Without it, you're just waiting to be told what to think.

So, who would tell you to stop being curious?

When you were a kid, it was the grown-ups. Maybe your parents, your teacher… some other authority figure. You'd ask why, and then why again, until you heard it... "because I said so!"

Now that you're grown up... it's the news anchors and the fact-checkers. "Conspiracy theorist." "Election denier." "97% of scientists agree."

It’s all the same trick. Stop asking and obey! You don't want to end up like that damn cat, do you?

There are a lot of people who'd prefer you stopped asking questions. Sometimes, you're that person. So am I.

When I'm in a heated argument about something I care about, I'm not curious about the other guy at all. I'm just waiting for my turn to talk.

I want revenge. I want to make them feel hurt, or embarrassed. I become angry and vindictive.

Sound familiar? Have you ever been that guy?

It doesn't have to go that way. You don't have to be defensive and reactive.

Try being genuinely curious about the other person's perspective.

Not the "just asking questions" kind, where the question is an accusation. Real curiosity, where you actually want to hear the answer and learn. Maybe there's something you missed, maybe this person has considered the issue from an angle you haven't.

What you will discover, as I have, is that most people haven’t really thought these issues through with any depth.

The people who preach the virtues of a $20 minimum wage have never thought about the question “Why not $50? Or $100?”

But, if you meet them with anger and resentment, instead of curiosity… “The minimum wage destroys jobs, only an idiot would believe in it!”

That's not a hunter. That's a cornered animal lashing out.

The moment you get angry, you stop hunting and become prey.

Curiosity didn't kill the cat. It's what separates the hunter from the hunted.

stay close and curious,

~ Clay

p.s. Everyone reads, some people help me keep the lights on. If you think I deserve to have lights... stopbeingprey.com/patronage

p.p.s. Readers have started receiving their "stay close," shirts. Did you get one? Send me a pic! Want one? Grab yours here: shop.stopbeingprey.com

Funny story... I received mine, but it was the wrong print. "Frederick Adventist Academy". They are sending another one out right away, with priority shipping. So you guys are getting yours before I get mine.