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This is the Greek concept of a polymath. Also mentioned by Robert Heinlein in Time Enough For Love: A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an in
by mechanical_bear 5y ago
This is the Greek concept of a polymath. Also mentioned by Robert Heinlein in Time Enough For Love:
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, analyse a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
- nonrandomstring 5y agoIs that a direct Heinlein quote? It's amazing!
- brimble 5y agoHeinlein wrote it, his character Lazarus Long presents it. May or may not mean Heinlein thought it was true. It's oft-quoted but I think it's silly posturing. I guess everyone's just insects after all, since 99.99% of people will never do or even be prepared to do anywhere close to the whole list.
- mechanical_bear 5y ago.
- nonrandomstring 5y agoSo far I'm holding off on planning an invasion and dying gallantly. The rest I'm ticking off pretty well.