TED Talks Daily 3 habits to practice curiosity — and escape your phone | Nayeema Raza
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Mar 12, 2026 
Naima Raza, journalist and creator of Smart Girl Dumb Questions, champions curiosity and presence. She explores how screens reshape connection, shares three practical habits—pause, wonder, ask aloud—to reclaim attention, and reflects on grief, parenting, and why admitting ignorance can deepen trust. She also touches on future questions about tech and transhumanism.
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When Screens Feel More Present Than Real Life
- Screens can make remote interaction feel more present than in-person time when people are physically together but on their phones.
- Naima Raza uses 11-year-olds Sophie and Dylan explaining FaceTime/Roblox feels "more together" to show presence has shifted into devices.
Connectivity Can Create Disconnection
- Easy access to information via phones can make people lazier and less connected, despite unprecedented connectivity.
- Naima cites early MIT research and contrasts the AT&T ad promise of reaching others with modern disconnection.
Three Small Habits To Reclaim Attention
- Pause for one second before reaching for your phone to give your brain time to decide instead of reflexively grabbing the device.
- Wonder instead of Googling immediately: watch a movie and resist looking up actors or trivia to float in curiosity.