Ask HN: What is the point in being a polymath?

7 points by maverick2 11 years ago | 4 comments

I've realized that once I am done watching a Ted talk, reading an article/HN post etc and left with a feeling to have learnt something. Then I just move to next interesting thing. Doing this over and over does result in having knowledge about alot of topics. But sometimes when I am going through web history of what all I've watched or shared of social media, and although I remember being awed by that subject at the time I watched it. But I do not remember much about it at all. Then what is the point to reading books watching so many good talks etc ?

ohquu 11 years ago |

Are you an expert in those subjects? No? Then you aren't a polymath. Gaining expertise in something isn't as simple as watching a TED talk, reading an article, or even mastering a textbook. You might be a jack-of-all-trades, but let's not dilute the meaning of the word polymath.

Keep in mind that the media you're consuming is meant to be easily digested. You might learn something, sure, but I've certainly started to get annoyed by the number of people citing factoids from TED talks. There's something to be said about people "knowing more" now that information is more accessible, but it is amazing the point at which people start to get lazy. I have too many Facebook friends talking about the physics of multiple universes without knowing the physics of a straw. Too many people want to talk about juicy stuff without understanding the beauty of foundations.

I also have this problem, and I've been trying to correct it. After 8:00 PM on weeknights, I stop using electronics. Usually, I end up roaming around the house and cleaning. Occasionally, I pick up a textbook from undergrad. Most importantly, without a screen in front of my face, I'm relaxing my mind, and I'm subconsciously thinking, "What is important to me? What is interesting to me? If I could commit some time to learning something at a deep level, what would it be?" So far, this seems to be guiding me in the right direction; I've gotten better at spending my time in ways that I think are productive for the long term (while also being enjoyable).

EMRo 11 years ago | |

I agree with the general sentiment of this post but I don't think a polymath is necessarily one who is an 'expert' in multiple fields. It isn't as much about the learning and mastery as it is about the interconnections between disciplines.

I think of a polymath as one who is able to gain a level of expertise and understanding across several disciplines. The polymath then uses that knowledge to generate new insights and interesting innovations or even new fields of study between and across disciplines.

Check out the book 'Mastery' which is -- as you might guess -- about the process to attaining mastery in any subject. It delves into the history of the 'great masters' including Michaelangelo etc and discusses how they utilized cross-discipline thinking to take each of their crafts to new levels. Very cool stuff.

sova 11 years ago |

Your natural curiosity can lead you to expertise in many great and helpful areas, for yourself and your fellows.

If you will entertain some highly simplified expressions concerning the term polymath:

+ maths are subsets of language. + language is a tool of communication.

Thus, being a polymath, therefore, does not simply imply mastery, but also an ability to convey beautiful insights to others.

To crudely answer the topic question: to be a polymath is to inspire both yourself and others.

We are limited only by patterning and imagination.

Even if you are only browsing rough-cut coals, perhaps with the right inclinations you may find diamonds.

Knowledge and its accumulation are not the goal, they are tools to help you along the way. I am so thankful for all the many people who inspire and are inspired, for life is truly wild, and it is nothing short of a miracle that we have the ability to guide the growing and shifting tides of our existence.

AlexOrtiz201 11 years ago |

Yea, your probably not a polymath, I think now a days it isn't really possible. Back in the day leo da'vinci types had less to learn to "master" fields in those days.