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I think the tendency of generalists is to specialize into a kind of faith in abstract principles, processes and structures that cross domains. As kids, we most

I think the tendency of generalists is to specialize into a kind of faith in abstract principles, processes and structures that cross domains. As kids, we mostly learn "do what we're told" because it becomes clear early on that the adults know a lot more than we do. And so by the late teens we are in some degree specialised into the ideals of the previous generation. And then we go out into the world and have to adapt. And that's a space where the specific advices we were given start failing spectacularly, but not for everyone all the time. In this light, generalists have the quality of survivors: Facing some adversity to any particular pursuit, they aimed to lower their overall risk.

oceanghost 7y ago
Hi, I am a generalist. I think you're right, but for me, it's not a strategy, it's how I think. My brain is really bad at remembering facts, and really good at seeing patterns and modeling systems. There's a big divide between people who think "facts" are knowledge and people who think understanding models and systems are knowledge. Our culture fetishizes facts as "knowledge" when most often, what's important is knowing how and why something works. Probably the most effective people who are great at doing both. Neal Stephenson perhaps said it best: “Nell," the Constable continued, indicating through his tone of voice that the lesson was concluding, "the difference between ignorant and educated people is that the latter know more facts. But that has nothing to do with whether they are stupid or intelligent. The difference between stupid and intelligent people—and this is true whether or not they are well-educated—is that intelligent people can handle subtlety. They are not baffled by ambiguous or even contradictory situations—in fact, they expect them and are apt to become suspicious when things seem overly straightforward.” ― Neal Stephenson, The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer

oceanghost 7y ago

Hi, I am a generalist. I think you're right, but for me, it's not a strategy, it's how I think. My brain is really bad at remembering facts, and really good at seeing patterns and modeling systems. There's a big divide between people who think "facts" are knowledge and people who think understanding models and systems are knowledge. Our culture fetishizes facts as "knowledge" when most often, what's important is knowing how and why something works. Probably the most effective people who are great at doing both. Neal Stephenson perhaps said it best: “Nell," the Constable continued, indicating through his tone of voice that the lesson was concluding, "the difference between ignorant and educated people is that the latter know more facts. But that has nothing to do with whether they are stupid or intelligent. The difference between stupid and intelligent people—and this is true whether or not they are well-educated—is that intelligent people can handle subtlety. They are not baffled by ambiguous or even contradictory situations—in fact, they expect them and are apt to become suspicious when things seem overly straightforward.” ― Neal Stephenson, The Diamond Age: Or, A Young Lady's Illustrated Primer