Response to Multi-Tasking

I read a blog in the New York Times from yesterday's "Idea of the Day" that was really intriguing. So intriguing that I thought it absolutely necessary to waste my time writing a response to the article. You can find the "Idea of the Day" about the "Twilight of Polymaths" at the site below:

http://ideas.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/29/twilight-of-the-polymaths/


Our society discourages the young enterprising polymath because there is no place for them outside of academia. The polymath is forced to create this “place” or “many places” in which they can produce, while supporting the habit.

This goal barely makes sense in this crisis credit-crunched job-hopping society. Many aren’t interested in the pursuit of intelligence, but at best the majority is in the pursuit of resume building. Goals in this day and age are much more short-sighted and quick-fixed, salary at the end of the month.

Like James, I do believe that society is in need of the depth of specialty. However, the polymath, equipped with a more expansive general knowledge can survey the scene with the eyes of someone who is the project manager of a Cathedral–he has the capability of thinking “outside of the box” or utilizing creative approaches to connect uncanny truths or solutions.

Obviously society today is not structured for “cathedral-building projects”; however this concept could be more aptly applied to an approach to solving wide-ranging problems in society.

However, in a society that creates Wal-Mart sized blockbusters and one hit grand-slams, it is no wonder that we can’t see past the punch, past the ticket sales. With all respect given to the specialized intellectual–can we please recognize the gross lack of creative thinking and long-term consideration or foresight. Crisis anyone?

— Young Multi-Tasker

Generally the article discusses that today's society focuses more on the specialized intellectual rather than a polymath (intellectual specializing in various fields in focused or generalized approaches) like Leonardo daVinci. The article also discusses how the intellectual capacity versus productivity has decreased greatly since the likes of Einstein.

I didn't write this because I am a multi-tasker. I wrote it out of my respect for Michelangelo, well-made things, and the idea of endurance. I also wrote because I am inspired by Ken Follett's novel, "Pillars of the Earth"--a book about Cathedral building.


It also has something to do with the previous blog that I wrote in response to my roof-top Duomo experience. haha.

Have a good evening!