The Art of Manliness

The Art of Exploration — Why We Seek New Challenges and Search Out the Unknown


Listen Later

The human urge to explore has taken us to every corner of the planet. From the highest peaks to far-flung islands to even the deepest dimensions of an idea, our species has an innate drive to venture into the unknown.

But what exactly drives this need to explore? Is it genetic, cognitive, or something else entirely?

Here to unpack this question is Alex Hutchinson, author of The Explorers Gene: Why We Seek Big Challenges, New Flavors, and the Blank Spots on the Map. Today on the show, Alex shares the fascinating science behind our exploratory tendencies, from the dopamine-driven "explorer's gene" that varies across populations to the universal cognitive frameworks that govern how we navigate both physical and mental landscapes. He explains the delicate balance between exploring new possibilities and exploiting what we already know, and why we sometimes find meaning in difficult challenges. We also discuss why younger people explore more than older people do, how this decline in exploration doesn't have to be inevitable, and how to keep exploring throughout your entire life.

Resources Related to the Podcast
  • Alex’s previous appearances on the AoM podcast:
    • Episode #382: How to Lift More, Run Faster, and Endure Longer
    • Episode #538: Research-Backed Answers to All Your Fitness FAQs
    • Episode #1,021: You Were Born to Run
    • AoM Podcast #534: How Navigation Makes Us Human
    • The Wundt Curve
    • Connect With Alex Hutchinson
      • Alex’s website

      See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

      ...more
      View all episodesView all episodes
      Download on the App Store

      The Art of ManlinessBy The Art of Manliness

      • 4.7
      • 4.7
      • 4.7
      • 4.7
      • 4.7

      4.7

      14,077 ratings


      More shows like The Art of Manliness

      View all
      The Art of Charm by The Art of Charm

      The Art of Charm

      10,514 Listeners

      Order of Man by Ryan Michler

      Order of Man

      8,925 Listeners

      The Dad Edge Podcast by Larry Hagner

      The Dad Edge Podcast

      1,492 Listeners

      The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish by Shane Parrish

      The Knowledge Project with Shane Parrish

      2,653 Listeners

      Jocko Podcast by Jocko DEFCOR Network

      Jocko Podcast

      30,745 Listeners

      Men in the Arena - Christian Men's Podcast by Jim Ramos

      Men in the Arena - Christian Men's Podcast

      375 Listeners

      The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast by Dr. Jordan B. Peterson

      The Jordan B. Peterson Podcast

      33,955 Listeners

      Stoic Coffee Break by Erick Cloward

      Stoic Coffee Break

      392 Listeners

      Modern Wisdom by Chris Williamson

      Modern Wisdom

      3,763 Listeners

      The Daily Stoic by Daily Stoic | Backyard Ventures

      The Daily Stoic

      4,790 Listeners

      The Dan John Podcast by Dan John

      The Dan John Podcast

      258 Listeners

      Shawn Ryan Show by Shawn Ryan

      Shawn Ryan Show

      42,468 Listeners

      All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg by All-In Podcast, LLC

      All-In with Chamath, Jason, Sacks & Friedberg

      9,216 Listeners

      Deep Questions with Cal Newport by Cal Newport

      Deep Questions with Cal Newport

      1,306 Listeners

      Huberman Lab by Scicomm Media

      Huberman Lab

      28,512 Listeners