Have you noticed how the world’s always pushing us towards specialisation? Choose your GCSEs, then your A-Levels, (Replace by your local further education system, if not in the UK) then your degree…

Pick a lane, become an expert, and stick to it, seemingly before you’re even ready.

It’s a trend that’s been bothering me for a while now. Because deep down, this narrow focus feels…incomplete. It feels like we’re losing something essential.

Think back to the Renaissance ideal. As I wrote before, I love that ideal: not a specialist, but a polymath – embracing knowledge in all its forms. They delved into literature, languages, and art, while simultaneously exploring the sciences and mastering physical pursuits like fencing, polo.

Of course, back then, this was largely the privilege of the elite. But today, education is more accessible than ever. We have the potential to be those well-rounded Renaissance people, to draw on a multitude of disciplines, to enrich our perspectives and deepen our understanding of the world.

Yet, what do we do? We hyper-specialise. We narrow our focus, potentially limiting our creativity and understanding. We risk putting on blinkers, becoming one-dimensional in a multi-dimensional world.

We’re sacrificing breadth for depth, ditching the ability to see the interconnectedness of things for the sake of expertise in one tiny area.

Why should you care ? 

Because polymathy is more than just accumulating knowledge. It’s about making connections, seeing patterns, and approaching problems from multiple angles. It’s about cultivating a flexible mind that can adapt and thrive in a rapidly changing world. It’s about becoming a more complete human being.

In a world that’s increasingly complex and interconnected, I think we need polymaths more than ever. We need people who can bridge the gap between disciplines, who can see the big picture, and who can bring a diverse range of perspectives to bear on the challenges we face.

The future belongs to those who can connect the dots. Rudiano

Soooo, don’t mind me while I try to become an all-rounder, a better thinker, a better writer, a better artist, a better polyglot, all while striving to get hench 😋

Will you join me in pursuing the Renaissance ideal? 

Reflect , Redefine, Rise

R