you should specialize focus on one thing and become an expert in your field and
and become an expert in your field and
and become an expert in your field and you you should keep your options open
you you should keep your options open
you you should keep your options open by being learning lots of things –
by being learning lots of things –
by being learning lots of things – either of those phrases sound familiar
either of those phrases sound familiar
either of those phrases sound familiar which one should you believe in the 15th
which one should you believe in the 15th
which one should you believe in the 15th century Renaissance man Leon Battista
century Renaissance man Leon Battista
century Renaissance man Leon Battista Alberti said and man can do all things
Alberti said and man can do all things
Alberti said and man can do all things if he Bob Wilson and I believe that’s
if he Bob Wilson and I believe that’s
if he Bob Wilson and I believe that’s still true for both men and women alike
still true for both men and women alike
still true for both men and women alike they might recognize the term
they might recognize the term
they might recognize the term Renaissance man or it’s more Mollison in
Renaissance man or it’s more Mollison in
Renaissance man or it’s more Mollison in polymath it was most famously used to
polymath it was most famously used to
polymath it was most famously used to describe Leonardo da Vinci a person
describe Leonardo da Vinci a person
describe Leonardo da Vinci a person whose areas of interest included anatomy
whose areas of interest included anatomy
whose areas of interest included anatomy painting architecture science music
painting architecture science music
painting architecture science music mathematics engineering literature and
mathematics engineering literature and
mathematics engineering literature and invention and there’s many many more so
invention and there’s many many more so
invention and there’s many many more so it’s certainly safe to say that he was
it’s certainly safe to say that he was
it’s certainly safe to say that he was not the specialist he was held in high
not the specialist he was held in high
not the specialist he was held in high regard by all of his peers and is still
regard by all of his peers and is still
regard by all of his peers and is still regarded as a universal genius by
regarded as a universal genius by
regarded as a universal genius by remaining open to all forms of knowledge
remaining open to all forms of knowledge
remaining open to all forms of knowledge da Vinci if you give the world the Mona
da Vinci if you give the world the Mona
da Vinci if you give the world the Mona Lisa as well as designs for inventions
Lisa as well as designs for inventions
Lisa as well as designs for inventions that were only conceived to be possible
that were only conceived to be possible
that were only conceived to be possible for centuries after his death more
for centuries after his death more
for centuries after his death more recently there was Thomas young
recently there was Thomas young
recently there was Thomas young described as the last man who knew
described as the last man who knew
described as the last man who knew everything which is a pretty killer
everything which is a pretty killer
everything which is a pretty killer title he worked in the fields of physics
title he worked in the fields of physics
title he worked in the fields of physics physiology music and Egyptology to
physiology music and Egyptology to
physiology music and Egyptology to mention a few
mention a few
mention a few his self-described most important
his self-described most important
his self-described most important discovery was the wave theory of life a
discovery was the wave theory of life a
discovery was the wave theory of life a scientific breakthrough so significant
scientific breakthrough so significant
scientific breakthrough so significant it’s still being taught in science
it’s still being taught in science
it’s still being taught in science lessons today
lessons today
lessons today unless many people might have seen this
unless many people might have seen this
unless many people might have seen this as their life’s work it was merely
as their life’s work it was merely
as their life’s work it was merely another bullet points on young’s long
another bullet points on young’s long
another bullet points on young’s long list of achievements if not fares
list of achievements if not fares
list of achievements if not fares Polymathic traits he would not have been
Polymathic traits he would not have been
Polymathic traits he would not have been one of the key contributors to the
one of the key contributors to the
one of the key contributors to the deciphering of the rosetta stone which
deciphering of the rosetta stone which
deciphering of the rosetta stone which subsequently led to the translation of
subsequently led to the translation of
subsequently led to the translation of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics today
ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics today
ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics today polymaths and their collective hunger
polymaths and their collective hunger
polymaths and their collective hunger for knowledge has seen more as a novelty
for knowledge has seen more as a novelty
for knowledge has seen more as a novelty someone you would put on a quiz show or
someone you would put on a quiz show or
someone you would put on a quiz show or call on to settle a debate rather than
call on to settle a debate rather than
call on to settle a debate rather than being one of the leading minds in their
being one of the leading minds in their
being one of the leading minds in their field throughout their young lives we’re
field throughout their young lives we’re
field throughout their young lives we’re told to focus on those areas in which we
told to focus on those areas in which we
told to focus on those areas in which we excel becoming naturally specialized so
excel becoming naturally specialized so
excel becoming naturally specialized so this could potentially mean that were in
this could potentially mean that were in
this could potentially mean that were in a special society of specialization an
a special society of specialization an
a special society of specialization an example of this being Barry C bearish
example of this being Barry C bearish
example of this being Barry C bearish one of the three physicists who was
one of the three physicists who was
one of the three physicists who was recently awarded the Nobel Prize for his
recently awarded the Nobel Prize for his
recently awarded the Nobel Prize for his control contributions to the discovery
control contributions to the discovery
control contributions to the discovery of gravitational waves he has spent his
of gravitational waves he has spent his
of gravitational waves he has spent his entire life working in the field of
entire life working in the field of
entire life working in the field of physics so yes it’s partly true that we
physics so yes it’s partly true that we
physics so yes it’s partly true that we do live in a society of specialization
do live in a society of specialization
do live in a society of specialization throughout our young lives we are start
throughout our young lives we are start
throughout our young lives we are start off with a breadth of knowledge our
off with a breadth of knowledge our
off with a breadth of knowledge our eager young minds are gassed at what the
eager young minds are gassed at what the
eager young minds are gassed at what the world has to offer however soon we’re
world has to offer however soon we’re
world has to offer however soon we’re told that we must pick some subjects
told that we must pick some subjects
told that we must pick some subjects that we are good at or ones that we
that we are good at or ones that we
that we are good at or ones that we remember favourably finally we become
remember favourably finally we become
remember favourably finally we become specialized focusing our focusing our
specialized focusing our focusing our
specialized focusing our focusing our minds on one specific field with
minds on one specific field with
minds on one specific field with everything else being labeled as a hobby
everything else being labeled as a hobby
everything else being labeled as a hobby so is it still possible to be a polymath
so is it still possible to be a polymath
so is it still possible to be a polymath in that instance I believe so but not in
in that instance I believe so but not in
in that instance I believe so but not in the same way as Leonardo da Vinci Thomas
the same way as Leonardo da Vinci Thomas
the same way as Leonardo da Vinci Thomas Young are those many other generalists
Young are those many other generalists
Young are those many other generalists at the past we need a modern framework a
at the past we need a modern framework a
at the past we need a modern framework a modern definition a modern renaissance
modern definition a modern renaissance
modern definition a modern renaissance in our current society structured
in our current society structured
in our current society structured education is defined by the needs
education is defined by the needs
education is defined by the needs the companies the students will ascend
the companies the students will ascend
the companies the students will ascend to you learned direction to be a
to you learned direction to be a
to you learned direction to be a director or programming to be a
director or programming to be a
director or programming to be a programmer and so on rather than picking
programmer and so on rather than picking
programmer and so on rather than picking up as many different subjects as you
up as many different subjects as you
up as many different subjects as you would like this has changed over time
would like this has changed over time
would like this has changed over time primarily due to the fact that we’ve
primarily due to the fact that we’ve
primarily due to the fact that we’ve become a lot more smart smart as a
become a lot more smart smart as a
become a lot more smart smart as a society we have it we’ve intellectually
society we have it we’ve intellectually
society we have it we’ve intellectually advanced to the point where the simpler
advanced to the point where the simpler
advanced to the point where the simpler problems of the past have become much
problems of the past have become much
problems of the past have become much more complex which can be seen for the
more complex which can be seen for the
more complex which can be seen for the more streamlined discoveries of Thomas
more streamlined discoveries of Thomas
more streamlined discoveries of Thomas young compared to Leonardo da Vinci with
young compared to Leonardo da Vinci with
young compared to Leonardo da Vinci with the former being able to truly focus on
the former being able to truly focus on
the former being able to truly focus on fewer subjects than the latter
so today specialization seems to be the
so today specialization seems to be the most important way and the most
most important way and the most
most important way and the most pertinent way that we can unlock the
pertinent way that we can unlock the
pertinent way that we can unlock the complex mysteries of each subject
complex mysteries of each subject
complex mysteries of each subject however whilst generalization cannot be
however whilst generalization cannot be
however whilst generalization cannot be cannot lead to the most in the most
cannot lead to the most in the most
cannot lead to the most in the most innovative discoveries neither can
innovative discoveries neither can
innovative discoveries neither can complete specialization the most
complete specialization the most
complete specialization the most pressing issues are interdisciplinary
pressing issues are interdisciplinary
pressing issues are interdisciplinary and whilst a specialist can can be can
and whilst a specialist can can be can
and whilst a specialist can can be can benefit immensely from their their
benefit immensely from their their
benefit immensely from their their knowledge of their field they can be
knowledge of their field they can be
knowledge of their field they can be held back by this when working with
held back by this when working with
held back by this when working with those outside with specialization as the
those outside with specialization as the
those outside with specialization as the key pathway for learning was founded at
key pathway for learning was founded at
key pathway for learning was founded at a time when we were more single-minded
a time when we were more single-minded
a time when we were more single-minded and our problems were narrower in scope
and our problems were narrower in scope
and our problems were narrower in scope however the constantly evolving
however the constantly evolving
however the constantly evolving technological landscape of the past 60
technological landscape of the past 60
technological landscape of the past 60 years has caused much to change in that
years has caused much to change in that
years has caused much to change in that regard using the Internet as a tool for
regard using the Internet as a tool for
regard using the Internet as a tool for learning has changed the way in which we
learning has changed the way in which we
learning has changed the way in which we communicate and receive information we
communicate and receive information we
communicate and receive information we are no longer solitary neurological
are no longer solitary neurological
are no longer solitary neurological beings but a hive mind of infinitely
beings but a hive mind of infinitely
beings but a hive mind of infinitely expanding knowledge if we are truly to
expanding knowledge if we are truly to
expanding knowledge if we are truly to unlock the innovative
unlock the innovative
unlock the innovative potential of our species then
potential of our species then
potential of our species then collaboration is the key
collaboration is the key
collaboration is the key the modern polymath is not like Leonardo
the modern polymath is not like Leonardo
the modern polymath is not like Leonardo da Vinci or Thomas Young the modern
da Vinci or Thomas Young the modern
da Vinci or Thomas Young the modern polymath is a leader so take the head of
polymath is a leader so take the head of
polymath is a leader so take the head of a small online magazine company they
a small online magazine company they
a small online magazine company they would need to communicate creatively
would need to communicate creatively
would need to communicate creatively with the designers technically with the
with the designers technically with the
with the designers technically with the web developers linguistically with the
web developers linguistically with the
web developers linguistically with the writers all the while using business
writers all the while using business
writers all the while using business prowess to determine the financial needs
prowess to determine the financial needs
prowess to determine the financial needs of the company and steer the magazine’s
of the company and steer the magazine’s
of the company and steer the magazine’s content to the wants of its readers to
content to the wants of its readers to
content to the wants of its readers to be able to express themselves adequately
be able to express themselves adequately
be able to express themselves adequately in all of those fields is no small feat
in all of those fields is no small feat
in all of those fields is no small feat and whilst the head of this company must
and whilst the head of this company must
and whilst the head of this company must have a breadth of knowledge in order to
have a breadth of knowledge in order to
have a breadth of knowledge in order to be able to discuss thoroughly with each
be able to discuss thoroughly with each
be able to discuss thoroughly with each of these areas being a world leading
of these areas being a world leading
of these areas being a world leading expert in every single one of them would
expert in every single one of them would
expert in every single one of them would be an even greater and perhaps
be an even greater and perhaps
be an even greater and perhaps impossible task the specialist needs the
impossible task the specialist needs the
impossible task the specialist needs the generalist just as much as the
generalist just as much as the
generalist just as much as the generalists need the specialists the
generalists need the specialists the
generalists need the specialists the place for the generalists of today is to
place for the generalists of today is to
place for the generalists of today is to bridge the gap between those that
bridge the gap between those that
bridge the gap between those that specialize so this can be seen from
specialize so this can be seen from
specialize so this can be seen from Stephen Fry now he himself shares many
Stephen Fry now he himself shares many
Stephen Fry now he himself shares many Polymathic traits and as he once said
Polymathic traits and as he once said
Polymathic traits and as he once said regarding the polymaths natural
regarding the polymaths natural
regarding the polymaths natural inquisitiveness you have this impulse to
inquisitiveness you have this impulse to
inquisitiveness you have this impulse to know and therefore things stick to you
know and therefore things stick to you
know and therefore things stick to you you put on as it were epistemological
you put on as it were epistemological
you put on as it were epistemological wait
wait
wait I’ve always been fantastically greedy to
I’ve always been fantastically greedy to
I’ve always been fantastically greedy to know things now I like this quote
know things now I like this quote
know things now I like this quote because it gives us an insight into the
because it gives us an insight into the
because it gives us an insight into the thought processes of a generalist they
thought processes of a generalist they
thought processes of a generalist they it is no
it is no
it is no a lack of commitments that stares them
a lack of commitments that stares them
a lack of commitments that stares them away from single-subject learning but
away from single-subject learning but
away from single-subject learning but rather the soft satisfaction they gain
rather the soft satisfaction they gain
rather the soft satisfaction they gain from expanding their knowledge banks
from expanding their knowledge banks
from expanding their knowledge banks they don’t learn for any specific reason
they don’t learn for any specific reason
they don’t learn for any specific reason they simply enjoy it now Stephen Fry
they simply enjoy it now Stephen Fry
they simply enjoy it now Stephen Fry isn’t the only isn’t the only example
isn’t the only isn’t the only example
isn’t the only isn’t the only example surely but I picked I picked him because
surely but I picked I picked him because
surely but I picked I picked him because he’s both well-known and also as I said
he’s both well-known and also as I said
he’s both well-known and also as I said this quote is perfect for the insight
this quote is perfect for the insight
this quote is perfect for the insight you see the poem F is like a hungry
you see the poem F is like a hungry
you see the poem F is like a hungry child and the specialists of today are
child and the specialists of today are
child and the specialists of today are their parents slaving away in the
their parents slaving away in the
their parents slaving away in the kitchen to provide a meal that will
kitchen to provide a meal that will
kitchen to provide a meal that will excite their senses so in his research
excite their senses so in his research
excite their senses so in his research paper being interdisciplinary trading
paper being interdisciplinary trading
paper being interdisciplinary trading zones in cognitive science researcher
zones in cognitive science researcher
zones in cognitive science researcher Paul Fogg art discusses the way in which
Paul Fogg art discusses the way in which
Paul Fogg art discusses the way in which the boundaries of study can limit the
the boundaries of study can limit the
the boundaries of study can limit the scope of people’s cognition given the
scope of people’s cognition given the
scope of people’s cognition given the breadth of many of today’s problems
breadth of many of today’s problems
breadth of many of today’s problems phago concludes that by facilitating
phago concludes that by facilitating
phago concludes that by facilitating interdisciplinary teaching is this cause
interdisciplinary teaching is this cause
interdisciplinary teaching is this cause the field of cognitive science to
the field of cognitive science to
the field of cognitive science to flourish and this has been made possible
flourish and this has been made possible
flourish and this has been made possible by focusing on five key areas people
by focusing on five key areas people
by focusing on five key areas people those are our polymaths
those are our polymaths
those are our polymaths eager to cross disciplinary boundaries
eager to cross disciplinary boundaries
eager to cross disciplinary boundaries places where interdisciplinary
places where interdisciplinary
places where interdisciplinary collaboration is encouraged
collaboration is encouraged
collaboration is encouraged organizations they foster the
organizations they foster the
organizations they foster the collaboration between disciplines ideas
collaboration between disciplines ideas
collaboration between disciplines ideas these are the problems that combine
these are the problems that combine
these are the problems that combine areas of work and methods these are the
areas of work and methods these are the
areas of work and methods these are the solutions that require the input of
solutions that require the input of
solutions that require the input of polymaths now whilst this structure was
polymaths now whilst this structure was
polymaths now whilst this structure was originally defined for education it is
originally defined for education it is
originally defined for education it is just as person for the working world as
just as person for the working world as
just as person for the working world as well the key points that can be
well the key points that can be
well the key points that can be extrapolated from Paul research
extrapolated from Paul research
extrapolated from Paul research is that places places of work and
is that places places of work and
is that places places of work and educate
educate
educate along with the organizations that own
along with the organizations that own
along with the organizations that own them need to facilitate the polymath by
them need to facilitate the polymath by
them need to facilitate the polymath by creating a platform on which the the
creating a platform on which the the
creating a platform on which the the generalists can do what they do best it
generalists can do what they do best it
generalists can do what they do best it is possible that they will naturally
is possible that they will naturally
is possible that they will naturally place themselves to formulate a solution
place themselves to formulate a solution
place themselves to formulate a solution this can be done by focusing on what
this can be done by focusing on what
this can be done by focusing on what Fagor defines as the ideas if we make
Fagor defines as the ideas if we make
Fagor defines as the ideas if we make them the basis of everything we do then
them the basis of everything we do then
them the basis of everything we do then it’s possible that the polymaths will
it’s possible that the polymaths will
it’s possible that the polymaths will find this position and naturally solve
find this position and naturally solve
find this position and naturally solve the world’s problems and innovate an
the world’s problems and innovate an
the world’s problems and innovate an example Steven Spielberg for the filming
example Steven Spielberg for the filming
example Steven Spielberg for the filming of Schindler’s List there were at least
of Schindler’s List there were at least
of Schindler’s List there were at least 20 different departments ranging from
20 different departments ranging from
20 different departments ranging from sound production to set design Spielberg
sound production to set design Spielberg
sound production to set design Spielberg would have had to communicate with all
would have had to communicate with all
would have had to communicate with all of these incredibly differing with
of these incredibly differing with
of these incredibly differing with fields in order to keep everyone in line
fields in order to keep everyone in line
fields in order to keep everyone in line with the creative vision of the projects
with the creative vision of the projects
with the creative vision of the projects at ASCII certainly succeeded in with the
at ASCII certainly succeeded in with the
at ASCII certainly succeeded in with the film winning seven Oscars including one
film winning seven Oscars including one
film winning seven Oscars including one for Best Director going beyond just one
for Best Director going beyond just one
for Best Director going beyond just one film Steven Spielberg epitomizes the way
film Steven Spielberg epitomizes the way
film Steven Spielberg epitomizes the way in which the collaborative efforts of
in which the collaborative efforts of
in which the collaborative efforts of today’s polymaths
today’s polymaths
today’s polymaths can bring about change with his work
can bring about change with his work
can bring about change with his work contributing to the founding of the new
contributing to the founding of the new
contributing to the founding of the new Hollywood era another example of a
Hollywood era another example of a
Hollywood era another example of a modern polymath would be Oprah Winfrey
modern polymath would be Oprah Winfrey
modern polymath would be Oprah Winfrey thought by many to be the most
thought by many to be the most
thought by many to be the most influential woman in the world as the
influential woman in the world as the
influential woman in the world as the CEO of both Harpo Productions and the
CEO of both Harpo Productions and the
CEO of both Harpo Productions and the Oprah Winfrey Network chic encompasses
Oprah Winfrey Network chic encompasses
Oprah Winfrey Network chic encompasses the same Polymathic collaboration a
the same Polymathic collaboration a
the same Polymathic collaboration a Spielberg
Spielberg
Spielberg however it’s not purely as the head of
however it’s not purely as the head of
however it’s not purely as the head of two companies that she truly shows the
two companies that she truly shows the
two companies that she truly shows the importance of working with others this
importance of working with others this
importance of working with others this can be seen from her work as a public
can be seen from her work as a public
can be seen from her work as a public figure
figure
figure she is hailed as bringing change to the
she is hailed as bringing change to the
she is hailed as bringing change to the talk-show industry and this has been
talk-show industry and this has been
talk-show industry and this has been attributed to a natural empathy of
attributed to a natural empathy of
attributed to a natural empathy of people’s lives she’s a woman who has
people’s lives she’s a woman who has
people’s lives she’s a woman who has spent her entire life working towards
spent her entire life working towards
spent her entire life working towards and public expansion she is a modern
and public expansion she is a modern
and public expansion she is a modern polymath now you may all be sitting
polymath now you may all be sitting
polymath now you may all be sitting there thinking Steven Spielberg Oprah
there thinking Steven Spielberg Oprah
there thinking Steven Spielberg Oprah Winfrey there at the top of their
Winfrey there at the top of their
Winfrey there at the top of their industries the only way I can be a
industries the only way I can be a
industries the only way I can be a generalist is to pay my dues as a
generalist is to pay my dues as a
generalist is to pay my dues as a specialist however all it takes is that
specialist however all it takes is that
specialist however all it takes is that thirst for more knowledge the desire to
thirst for more knowledge the desire to
thirst for more knowledge the desire to do anything and everything I myself
do anything and everything I myself
do anything and everything I myself would not be here today standing in
would not be here today standing in
would not be here today standing in front of all of you if not for
front of all of you if not for
front of all of you if not for collaboration and a constant desire to
collaboration and a constant desire to
collaboration and a constant desire to learn I originally was specialized in
learn I originally was specialized in
learn I originally was specialized in computing yet after having the
computing yet after having the
computing yet after having the opportunity to work with media and
opportunity to work with media and
opportunity to work with media and design students I became much more
design students I became much more
design students I became much more involved in the arts long story short
involved in the arts long story short
involved in the arts long story short after working on multiple art projects
after working on multiple art projects
after working on multiple art projects one of which was with her team I was
one of which was with her team I was
one of which was with her team I was given the opportunity to speak with all
given the opportunity to speak with all
given the opportunity to speak with all of you about generalization and
of you about generalization and
of you about generalization and specialization so after all of this
specialization so after all of this
specialization so after all of this you’re probably wondering which one is
you’re probably wondering which one is
you’re probably wondering which one is better the truth is we need both
better the truth is we need both
better the truth is we need both specialists and generalists to solve the
specialists and generalists to solve the
specialists and generalists to solve the complex issues of the future in the past
complex issues of the future in the past
complex issues of the future in the past the Renaissance man held a monopoly over
the Renaissance man held a monopoly over
the Renaissance man held a monopoly over the over the knowledge and discoveries
the over the knowledge and discoveries
the over the knowledge and discoveries of the world there it collects all the
of the world there it collects all the
of the world there it collects all the research and lead the charge in as many
research and lead the charge in as many
research and lead the charge in as many different areas as possible and today
different areas as possible and today
different areas as possible and today we’re forced on a path of specialization
we’re forced on a path of specialization
we’re forced on a path of specialization even if we wish to discover as much as
even if we wish to discover as much as
even if we wish to discover as much as we can with those that truly dedicate
we can with those that truly dedicate
we can with those that truly dedicate themselves to a singular field being
themselves to a singular field being
themselves to a singular field being able to solve many of the world’s most
able to solve many of the world’s most
able to solve many of the world’s most pressing issues in the very near future
pressing issues in the very near future
pressing issues in the very near future however we will face into disciplinary
however we will face into disciplinary
however we will face into disciplinary minefields where the boundaries between
minefields where the boundaries between
minefields where the boundaries between lines of study are blurred and it
lines of study are blurred and it
lines of study are blurred and it requires more than just specialists in a
requires more than just specialists in a
requires more than just specialists in a singular field we need to collaborate in
singular field we need to collaborate in
singular field we need to collaborate in order to find these solutions and push
order to find these solutions and push
order to find these solutions and push humanity to its intellectual limits
humanity to its intellectual limits
humanity to its intellectual limits the future will not be centered around
the future will not be centered around
the future will not be centered around the question of specialists versus
the question of specialists versus
the question of specialists versus generalists it will instead be centered
generalists it will instead be centered
generalists it will instead be centered around specialists and generalists thank
around specialists and generalists thank
around specialists and generalists thank you
[Music]
[Music] you
”
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