On 8 October 1804 Willem Anthonie Ockerse opened the winter series of lectures in the Amsterdam society Doctrina et Amicitia with a talk entitled ‘What's the news?’ in which he offered a light-hearted theory of human curiosity. According to Ockerse, curiosity and above all the asking of the question ‘What's the news?’ was a prime characteristic of the condition humaine. Man – and certainly also woman – could only be fulfilled in contact with other human beings. Sociability and the continuous exchange of views were part of human nature, and naturally gave rise to the urge to hear and impart news. Self-interest was obviously an important and daily inspiration for human curiosity. One person might have an interest in inheritances, another in lotteries, a third in stocks, a fourth in shipping news, a fifth in peace or war, a sixth in political events. ‘What's the news?’ was the first question one asked on entering polite society or coffee house, towing-barge or coach, council chamber or theatre, even – Ockerse added mischievously – sometimes church. In an ever-changing world there was always a great appetite for news. But certainly the sad and terrible events of recent years had added greatly to the demand for news.