A case for Generalism
Solutions often come from unlikely sources
We live in a world where the specialist — the guy who knows everything about one thing — is, so we are told, the ideal to reach in one’s education. University or higher education is the catalyst driving specialisation in one subject or a subject within a subject. Like a degree in organic chemistry and not chemistry in general. Paradoxically, this limits one’s ability to find solutions for problems in their respective field. The phrase “think outside the box” is an excellent way to visualize the idea. The box is every idea, method, and dogma we are familiar with, and everything outside is an unknown territory where the solution to our problem can be found.
A sculptor can not create his art with one tool, multiple tools are used to create a work of art that is truly his own. The same can be said about specialisation: one tool — one method — is not enough to create a work of art that will solve the problem.
The whole point of creative or original thinking (as I prefer to call it) is to entertain ideas one is not an expert in. When we draw back on the knowledge we know, it as not that this knowledge is useless, not at all. It is the system we use to organize said knowledge which we need to experiment with; in other words, we need a new way across the river using the same “knowledge stones” as before. Only this time, the stones must be in a different pattern or logical sequence. Essentially the problem is philosophical either than empirical. Knowledge is not the problem. It is how we think about said knowledge that’s causing the problem. Hence, my emphasis on philosophy: the examination of language is our friend here.
In his book Range: How Generalist Triumph in a Specialized World, David Epstein tells a story about Michelangelo (the famous Italian sculptor) and how this master of art looks at a block of marble. He writes,
Approach your own personal voyage and projects like Michelangelo approached a block of marble, willing to learn and adjust as you go, and even to abandon a previous goal and change direction entirely should the need arise. (Pg. 290.)
There is always a degree of uncertainty when creating something new, be it a painting, a theory, a sculpture, or in my case, a recent article. I cannot count how many times I have had to“learn and adjust course” or “abandon a previous goal and change direction entirely” in the articles I have written on Medium. This article, for example, started with the title: Generalist or Specialist. Which one is better? However, I thought, A case for Generalism, Solutions come from unlikely sources, I thought more befitting.
Put simply, have fun with what you are working on and if you find yourself stuck — take a break! Then, come back tomorrow when your mind is fresh and not plagued by frustration.
Be the fool, not the expert
I have a love-hate relationship with the term “expert” because it implies that you know everything there is to know in one particular field of study. You've learned all there is to know and all that will be known. As if nothing ever changes, right? Indeed, people of a specific deposition are drawn to the title of “expert,” giving them authority over others in specific circumstances. If the circumstances are not met, they are as ignorant as you or I: they become the fool, not the expert, assuming they have enough humility to admit it.
Let us move on to the fool who is always curious. Remember, dear reader, that to be an expert, one must first play the fool. And, in nature's paradoxical ways, the expert who admits he is the fool will not become blinded by his ego and arrogance: humility, therefore, is a prerequisite of an educated mind. Elon Musk, the owner of Telsa and recently Twitter, is an example of a Generalist or Polymath. His illustration of knowledge (I believe I heard it on a podcast) goes as follows: a tree or tree of knowledge is a simple and effective way of understanding how the mind processes knowledge. This tree starts with the fundaments first — the trunk of the tree — and branches off to the leaves where one can specialize in a particular field. However, Musk warns that ones should not, after reaching the leaf, neglect the trunk, the lifeline of the leaf. If the tree dies, the leaf will fall to the ground with it.
Follow your curiosity
In higher education, students follow a curriculum where they are given a set of essays to write, books to read and lectures to attend. This article is not a critique of the university, not at all. Because of the number of students, a system is required to prevent the whole thing from falling into complete anarchy. Abide by rules and structured classes: increasing efficiency at the cost of creativity. The generalist, the student who reads many books, would find the course dull and lacking substance.
Students are expected to learn specific pieces of information (often bullet-pointed) and somehow come up with an essay on the topic: all in all, this can be intimidating. Alternatively, the generalists know that telling a story is the best way to learn or teach. The logic being if one can not tell a story about the topic, you don't know enough. And so the generalist would write about many issues to support his or her essay, making it an exciting read because only you could have written that.
David Epstein, in Range, talks to a man called James Flynn, a retired academic, about the issue of specialization in universities,
“Even the best universerites arent developing critical intelligence,” [Flynn] told me. “They arent giving students the tool to analyses the mordren world, except in their area of specialization. Their education is too narrow.”
David goes on to say that the implication here is not to teach a student majoring in computer science about art history. David argues for a range of subjects to be studied relating to computer science, with the aim of developing a range.
A philosophical approach to thinking, like repeating philosophical maxims to yourself before you tackle a problem, can help one overcome specialization biases. Don’t make too many assumptions based on prior knowledge; remember, as Socrates says, you know nothing. Find the right question first, and the solution will come: the question you ask yourself will dictate your conclusion. Be careful.
Understand the Idea before moving on
Imagine the idea you are trying to grasp as a colouring book, and you're halfway through the picture and decide to stop, believing your knowledge to be sufficient. This analogy lays before our eyes the logic behind “speed reading,” a popular “life hack” in the early to mid-2000s. To speed read means: to read books so fast you stumble over every word, sentence and paragraph, not taking anything of substance. (Draw inside the lines). Therefore, it is imperative that we follow our curious minds with respect and allow ourselves time to digest and entertain new ideas. If accepted, these ideas will become one will our soul, altering how we act and speak, thus allowing for easy recollection: we embody the idea.
Always take your time when trying to understand a new story. The ideas contained therein should not be taken lightly — take your time and read slowly to understand more. If there is one thing I can say, in absolute terms, it is that there is no other way to learn. So move slowly, read slowly, and write slowly to understand more; that is to say, treat the mind like a rock and your curiosity like a chisel — yes, it's painstakingly slow, but what carve out with the chisel you will remember.
A little takeaway
To end, I shall bullet-point some key points I believe one should remember. They are as follows:
- Tell a story to speak our minds. You know enough when you can tell someone a story.
- Be the fool in the room, not the expert. Because the generalist is always learning
- Analogies are potent interpreters. When worked on, they turn the unknown into the know through the power of perspective. Like a friend who can't seem to understand you — we pause for a moment and say: Imagine so and so as…
- Never rush or find a “life hack” in your journies, always and forever… take your time.
Thank You for reading.
