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It depends on what you mean by "polymath" specifically, but I always think of the multi-talent programmers and artists. PG designed Viaweb and also is an essayi
by unalone 18y ago
It depends on what you mean by "polymath" specifically, but I always think of the multi-talent programmers and artists. PG designed Viaweb and also is an essayist and breakthrough investor, for instance. One of my favorite authors, Daniel Handler, played accordion with the Magnetic Fields and he's a pretty excellent singer as well.
- bmj 18y agoWhen I think polymath, Ludwig Wittgenstein comes to mind. He was a successful mechanical engineer, received his PhD in philosophy based on the notebook he kept during World War I, taught philosophy, taught grammar school (though, admittedly, that didn't work out so well), and designed a house for his sister. I'm not trying to belittle others, like PG, who clearly are knowledgeable (and skilled) at many things, but given the genesis of the term, I think the entry bar is pretty high.
- unalone 18y agoPG was the first example I could think of that seemed to fit. I agree: there are people who are certainly more renaissance than him. That was just the first name that came to mind.