World, Writing, Wealth discussion
Wealth & Economics
>
Narrow specialized or multidisciplinary?
date
newest »
newest »
Narrow! Today's technology is so advanced, so complicated and intricate that it takes a lifetime to become a true expert in one field, let alone two or three. Don't forget the age-old saying: Jack of all trades, master of none.
Me, I favour multi, maybe because I am. Michel says, "Master of none" and maybe that's true (although I like to think in my special interests I am up there with the best) however there is another skill that is badly needed, and that is to put together a coherent multidisciplined project. Climate change is an example. The "Jack" may not be exceptional in any of the required skills, BUT he should have the skills to recognise what is likely to be right when told, and have enough general knowledge that he can talk to the various leaders of the skilled components. Assembling and making coherent the various components is a very important part of a project. For detailed skills, you hire the teams that will work for you.
Michel wrote: "Narrow! Today's technology is so advanced, so complicated and intricate that it takes a lifetime to become a true expert in one field, let alone two or three."I agree when it comes to specific technologies.
However, the video game industry (a technology based medium) is ironically ripe to become an interdisciplinary medium, and that's because of the expansion of technological abilities. Writers, architects, linguists, physicists, psychologists, historians and fashion designers will all be strongly wanted by this industry within the next decade.
The hyper-focused intellectual may have experienced a brief admiration, but the true interdisciplinary scholar will be needed soon again.
I think the emphasis now is on 'narrow', highly -specialized, but it looks like we need both
As I said above, I am multi. I have won a year's subscription to the NYtimes for my answers to questions on Quora which are essentially on theoretical physics, I have y alternative interpretation of quantum mechanics, and an alternative explanation for planetary formation, I am a chemist and a fellow of the Royal Society for Chemistry, I was on the Editorial Board of the journal Botanica Marina for ten years, I have patent publications in hydrothermal production of biofuels, I have developed skin gels that are on the market, I have published in photophysics and on ancient dyeing techniques, I have written some novels that are not exactly best sellers, and I have written music, including my own wedding music. So I like to think I am multi.
Indeed, and those are amazing achievements!
Nik, my view on life is you have only so much time, so why not use it?
Interesting question. And my goodness, Ian, you are rather clever!I'm a generalist musculoskeletal physiotherapist with interests in complex pain and pelvic floors.
I also sing (primarily classical), and play the flute (fairly badly). I also enjoy working on musical theatre in our local theatrical society.
In past years I've been a volunteer fire fighter (and fire chief), and then specialised in vertical rescue (instructor and team leader) and cyclone operations as a State Emergency Service volunteer. I was a deputy Unit Manager for a while, during which time I wrote a good chunk of our unit's standard operating procedures.
Nowadays I write books while physio-ing. I have absolutely no scholarly or academic publications. I'll leave that to Ian, I think!
Excellent and diverse activities and accomplishments, Leonie!
My goodness, Ian and Leonie. You guys are Extraordinary Renaissance People (ERPs). I made that up. I'm going to continue talking to you as if you're ordinary people, though. If I thought about it too much, I'd be too intimidated to say anything. Talk about making the most of your time on Earth! I need immediately to learn an instrument, invent something, run a marathon, and write a book:-)
Hey, Scout, don't you dare be intimidated. We are just people like you, and your opinion is as good as mine (except in certain scientific areas where I have background knowledge). As Aristotle noted, a debate should not be resolved by resorting to some claim to authority.
Ha! There are so many things I can't do. For example, our daughter loves to sew, crochet, and create clothing and hair decorations - all of which she had to teach herself to do (off youtube) because her mother is completely incompetent in those areas. 🤣🤣🤣Proud mother moment...https://www.facebook.com/FlowersbyBri/
I'm also well known for dropping delicate things. Like crockery, glasses (generally full of wine or something else that makes stains) and basically anything else that can't cope with falling from heights.
Leonie wrote: "I'm also well known for dropping delicate things. Like crockery, glasses (generally full of wine or something else that makes stains) and basically anything else that can't cope with falling from heights...."Hope this doesn't interfere with vertical rescue -:)
Leonie, I tried to see your daughter's Facebook page, but my connection is so freaking slow. I get it, though, that we all have our strengths and weaknesses, and the most important thing is that we're doing something constructive and enjoyable with our time on Earth.
Is it necessary to know how to replace a flat tire, do basic repair and survive in the woods, or earning a top dollar at work should be good enough to afford to outsource everything else?
Specialization works well when times are good. But the specialists are the first victims when it all goes wrong.What good is top notch video game design when the power goes out, stores go empty, and the first chill winds of winter come?
Well, Nik, who knows what's coming? The people with practical skills will do best. Money won't matter if things fall apart. Money is just trust in government, not a physical asset. What is it besides an idea?
Scout wrote: ".... Money is just trust in government, not a physical asset. What is it besides an idea?..."Nothing, I'm for multi
Scout wrote: "Well, Nik, who knows what's coming? The people with practical skills will do best. Money won't matter if things fall apart. Money is just trust in government, not a physical asset. What is it besid..."Money is an intermediate for trade. Suppose long ago a farmer with a spare cow wanted to buy cloth, but the weavers had nowhere to put a cow? You can't run a professional army or police force, say, if the men get paid very occasionally in cows. A key part of money is that if you get some today, you should be able to hang onto it and get the same value from it some time later. That is why inflation is bad, but compared with government money, crypto is simply bizarre.
The sky is falling -the mult will survive better.Specialization - I can live well now.
I think it depends on what's most important. For my children in their 30s, I expect living well now and having a retirement plan is the best option. I don't expect the world to end any day soon so I approve that choice.
My hope is that my SO or my friendly neighbor are multis, so if it does, they can build the fire and shoot the varmints.
Good that you can depend on the kindness of neighbors.
Scout wrote: "Good that you can depend on the kindness of neighbors."I can cook and grow things and have a well-stocked pantry that I'll share.
Science developed and new professions sprang into life, like engineers. Still engineers covered the entire technological field, while doctors didn't stop solely at gynecology or ophthalmology.
Not now though. Philosophers are pretty much extinct. DBAs are more wanted than physicists. Road engineer might understand nothing in machinery. Specializations and professions have grown much 'narrower'. Panoramic vision may be nice, but hardly required. In fact niche technologies and research went so 'deep' that it requires considerable time to master and be on top of things even in the narrow area. It must have its toll though.
So, what's in demand: narrow or multi in your opinion?