4 ms·

"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wal

"A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects." And also: "Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks." Lazarus Long, from Heinlein's "Time Enough for Love"

me_me_me 6y ago
> Specialization is for insects This is literally why we are talking over internet and not using smoke signals.
- ImaCake 6y ago
  That's the joke! The quote is meant to be absurd. I've seen this quote generate some interesting discussion before. People seem divided into two camps over whether to take it seriously or as absurdist humour.
  - me_me_me 6y ago
    hehe, You never know these days. There was a term for it, when something is so absurd you can never be certain if its a parody or serious i.e. flat earth society.
    - sonofgod 6y ago
      https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe%27s_law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe%27s_law "Without a winking smiley or other blatant display of humor, it is utterly impossible to parody a Creationist in such a way that someone won't mistake for the genuine article." -- Nathan Poe
  - mortivore 6y ago
    I'd be very interested to see your source on how this is supposed to be a joke.
- TigeriusKirk 6y ago
  The quote doesn't say insects aren't useful.
m463 6y ago
yet... sometimes it makes sense to leave some things to a pro. you should be able to ask for help. I remember - a long time ago - reading the 7 habits book and the stages of maturity were - dependence, independence and interdependence. So being a completely independent self-contained person is only stage 2. It's a good stage though - personal sovereignty where you can do ANYTHING - but the next step is to do bigger stuff with others.
sethammons 6y ago
Everything in moderation, including moderation

me_me_me 6y ago

> Specialization is for insects This is literally why we are talking over internet and not using smoke signals.

ImaCake 6y ago
That's the joke! The quote is meant to be absurd. I've seen this quote generate some interesting discussion before. People seem divided into two camps over whether to take it seriously or as absurdist humour.
- me_me_me 6y ago
  hehe, You never know these days. There was a term for it, when something is so absurd you can never be certain if its a parody or serious i.e. flat earth society.
  - sonofgod 6y ago
    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe%27s_law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Poe%27s_law "Without a winking smiley or other blatant display of humor, it is utterly impossible to parody a Creationist in such a way that someone won't mistake for the genuine article." -- Nathan Poe
- mortivore 6y ago
  I'd be very interested to see your source on how this is supposed to be a joke.
TigeriusKirk 6y ago
The quote doesn't say insects aren't useful.

m463 6y ago

yet... sometimes it makes sense to leave some things to a pro. you should be able to ask for help. I remember - a long time ago - reading the 7 habits book and the stages of maturity were - dependence, independence and interdependence. So being a completely independent self-contained person is only stage 2. It's a good stage though - personal sovereignty where you can do ANYTHING - but the next step is to do bigger stuff with others.

sethammons 6y ago

Everything in moderation, including moderation