The Rise of Curating and the Desire for Meaning

The Rise of Curating and the Desire for Meaning

In the age of information overload, individuals are seeking ways to make sense of the vast amount of content available to them. This has led to the rise of curating, where people take on the role of selecting and organizing content to create a meaningful experience for others. The word "curate" has become a buzzword, associated with fashion, art, and even everyday activities like shopping. But what does it really mean to be a curator?

The Latin root of the word, "curare," means "to take care of." This suggests that curating is about more than just selecting items or creating exhibitions. It is about caring for and nurturing something, whether it be a collection of art, a selection of products, or even a schedule of events. Curators are driven by curiosity and a desire to connect what they know, creating a bridge between the artist or creator and the audience.

The rise of the super-curator has also become apparent in recent years. These curators travel the world, creating exhibitions that reflect their own ideology and position. They have become authorities in their respective fields, shaping the way we experience and consume content. The notion of something being "curated" offers reassurance that what we are buying or experiencing is meaningful and valuable.

But curating is not just limited to the art world. In fact, it has permeated into the realm of technology as well. Take, for example, Calendly, a scheduling tool that has turned a scheduling nightmare into a $3 billion startup. The founder, Tope Awotona, was frustrated with the inefficiency of scheduling meetings and saw an opportunity to solve that problem. Calendly allows users to easily schedule meetings without the need for endless back-and-forth emails. It has gained popularity, especially in the last year, as more people have had to adapt to remote work and virtual meetings.

Calendly's success highlights the importance of addressing pain points and finding solutions that simplify people's lives. This is a common thread between curating and entrepreneurship - both involve identifying a problem and offering a solution. Curators curate meaningful experiences, while entrepreneurs curate innovative products and services.

So what can we learn from the world of curating and entrepreneurship? Here are three actionable pieces of advice to consider:

1. Be curious: Curiosity is the driving force behind both curating and entrepreneurship. Stay curious, ask questions, and seek out new ideas and perspectives. This will fuel your creativity and help you find unique solutions to problems.