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prosperity. Although specialization has certain economic advantages, in the era of technological convergence, well-educated generalists will be those who are the most valuable. It is time for a renaissance of the “Renaissance Man.” ... The
Renaissance thinkers recognized both the potential of individuals as well as the enormous value to being well-rounded. Unfortunately, somewhere along the way the idea of someone who dabbled in many fields lost its cultural appeal and we began to praise those who sought deep subject matter expertise.
25:
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We now live in a world where distinctions between formerly separate industries are breaking down and the real opportunities for growth are where those industries intersect. Harnessing these 21st-century opportunities will require people who are “jacks of all trades, masters of none,” or, perhaps more
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In the modern world, where a very common job might require someone to be a social-media expert, public speaker, writer and data analyst, the polymath wins and the deep subject-matter expert is relegated to a back corner to be used as a resource for others. As an investor, if I were going to pick the
157:
When multipotentialites are supported and encouraged to embrace their diverse skills and experiences, they’re able to tap into their super powers: idea synthesis, rapid learning, adaptability, big picture thinking, relating to and translating between different types of people, “languages,” and modes
343:
wrote, "Universities bear some responsibility for its extinction. Classical Greece, Renaissance Italy and
Victorian England all revered and rewarded generalists, for whom today universities have little or no space or patience. Enclosed departments in discrete spaces, with their own journals and
117:
On
October 22, 2008, Douglas Hannay began a blog that lasted some eight years. His first blog referred to multipotentializing as excelling in multiple fields of energy. The blog was then copied in its entirety to Facebook on September 22, 2016, after viewing Emilie Wapnick’s TED talk on being a
328:
A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure,
153:
While the strengths of multipotentialites are not always appreciated in post-industrial capitalist societies, there have been times throughout history when being well-versed in multiple disciplines was considered the ideal. And, of course, multipotentiality is highly valued in certain spaces,
247:
As we progressed along the economic continuum from hunter-gatherer through agrarian and industrial and now into post-industrial economies, the labor force has become more fragmented, with workers having more and more specialized skill sets. ... Historically, specialization has been a path to
161:
The ability to draw from and integrate a range of diverse ideas makes multipotentialites particularly well-suited to solving complex, multifactorial problems. And, their unconventional backgrounds help them develop unique voices and contribute fresh perspectives wherever they
312:
In "Master of Many Trades", Robert
Twigger goes so far as to coin the word "monopath": "It means a person with a narrow mind, a one-track brain, a bore, a super-specialist, an expert with no other interests — in other words, the role-model of choice in the Western world."
352:
In a world that overvalues specialization, the term and its increasing popularity (especially among the blogging community) have contributed to the revival of awareness on the importance of generalists. It was even used in a competition's training session.
818:
91:
It can also refer to an individual whose interests span multiple fields or areas, rather than being strong in just one. Such traits are called multipotentialities, while "multipotentialites" has been suggested as a name for those with this trait.
149:
Although multipotentialite is a modern term, the idea of someone with many passions is not new. Any student of history often hears mention of polymaths or
Renaissance people. Multipotentialites have, indeed, existed as long as human societies.
243:
Economists tell us that the history of human labor is one of continually increasing specialization. In the days of the hunter-gatherer, every member of the tribe would have been expected to command some degree of proficiency with each task.
235:
However, the convergence economy, Internet age, connectivity, the rise of the
Creative Class, and other modern developments are bringing about a return of a more positive opinion for generalists and multipotentialites.
633:
364:
are linked to divergent thinking and innovative solutions to current problems. Because new ideas can be found in the intersection of multiple fields, they would benefit from the advantages of multipotentialites.
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Proponents of specialization above cite excellence and its perceived higher rewards compared to mediocrity in everything. Proponents of multiple capabilities below emphasize the importance of adaptability.
192:
Indeed, Isis Jade makes a clear distinction between multipotentiality and polymaths. Multipotentiality refers simply to one's potential in multiple fields owing to his/her diverse interests and attempts.
216:, cultural norms have shifted in favor of specialization. Indeed, in the modern day, the more narrow the specialization, the higher the pay and respect accorded, for example:
637:
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Organizations such as startups that require adaptability and holding multiple roles can employ several multipotentialites and have one specialist as a resource.
197:, on the other hand, are distinguished by their mastery and expertise in several fields. In this sense, multipotentialites can be viewed as potential polymaths.
992:
607:
142:
During 2015, Emilie
Wapnick coined the term "multipotentialite", perhaps to establish a shared identity for the community. They define it this way:
704:
285:
Stretch
Magazine discusses the role of multipotentialites in organizations and how they will believe they will be more in demand in the future.
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459:
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129:
Multipotentiality is the state of having many exceptional talents, any one or more of which could make for a great career for that person.
46:
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384:
221:
64:
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1046:
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Jaumann, Herbert, "Was ist ein
Polyhistor? Gehversuche auf einem verlassenen Terrain", Studia Leibnitiana, 22: 76–89. (1990) .
476:
727:
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428:
1089:
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1016:
389:
450:
Fredrickson, R. H. (1 February 1979). "Career development and the gifted". In
Colangelo, N.; Zaffrann, R. T. (eds.).
340:
1052:
Grafton, A, "The World of the Polyhistors: Humanism and Encyclopedism", Central European History, 18: 31–47. (1985).
302:
501:
113:“when provided with appropriate environments, can select and develop a number of competencies to a high level.”
611:
84:
term referring to the ability and preference of a person, particularly one of strong intellectual or artistic
275:
perfect team, it would be a group of rock-star polymaths with a single subject matter expert as a resource.
329:
program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."
298:
39:
that states a Knowledge (XXG) editor's personal feelings or presents an original argument about a topic.
1011:
1097:
How to Be Everything: A Guide for Those Who (Still) Don't Know What They Want to Be When They Grow Up
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In Specialization, Polymaths And The Pareto Principle In A Convergence Economy, Jake Chapman writes:
225:
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Waquet, F, (ed.) "Mapping the World of Learning: The 'Polyhistor' of Daniel Georg Morhof" (2000).
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751:"The Future of Work and Multipotentialites Part 2: Engage polymaths for organizational success"
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In Specialization, Polymaths And The Pareto Principle In A Convergence Economy, Chapman said:
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By contrast, those whose interests lie mostly within a single field are called "specialists."
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668:
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Jake Chapman, In Specialization, Polymaths And The Pareto Principle In A Convergence Economy
728:"The Future of Work and Multipotentialites Part 1: Identify Polymaths In Your Organization"
229:
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jargons, are a legacy of lamentable, out-of-date ways of organising knowledge and work."
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An early instance of the term in the record comes from relevant research in giftedness.
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361:
213:
204:", "slashers", "generalist", "multipassionate", "RP2", and "multipods", among others.
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In 1972, R.H. Frederickson et al. defined a multipotentialed person as someone who,
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emphasizes this. Older emphasis towards generalism and multiple potentials such as
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955:
1059:
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Sparks of genius: The thirteen thinking tools of the world's most creative people
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1007:
404:
357:
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Refuse to Choose!: A Revolutionary Program for Doing Everything that You Love
1039:
705:"Specialization, Polymaths And The Pareto Principle In A Convergence Economy"
85:
146:
A multipotentialite is someone with many interests and creative pursuits.
661:"The History and Importance of Specialization in Professional Psychology"
374:
220:
graduates, and specialized lawyers, doctors, and engineers. The aphorism
194:
178:
665:
The Oxford Handbook of Education and Training in Professional Psychology
659:
Kaslow, Nadine J.; Johnson, W. Brad; Baker, Jeff; Cox, David R. (2014).
121:
In 2010, multipotentiality appeared again in Tamara Fisher's article in
993:
Polymathic Leadership: Theoretical Foundation and Construct Development
939:
Polymathic Leadership: Theoretical Foundation and Construct Development
177:
While the term "multipotentialite" is often used interchangeably with
186:
562:
305:, among others contribute to the wide acceptance of specialization.
845:
1060:"The New Polymath: Profiles in Compound-Technology Innovations"
217:
18:
36:
personal reflection, personal essay, or argumentative essay
797:"The Importance of Specialization in the Tech Job Market"
972:
Root-Bernstein, Robert; Root-Bernstein, Michele (2013).
42:
774:"Marketing Yourself: The Importance of Specialization"
608:"Isn't Polymath and Multipotentiality the Same Thing?"
200:
Other terms used to refer to multipotentialites are "
189:in any particular field to be a multipotentialite.
1067:
954:
586:"Will the Real Multipotentialite Please Stand Up?"
185:, the terms are not identical. One need not be an
477:"Why It's Totally Normal Not to Have a Dream Job"
524:"Recognizing and assisting multipotential youth"
454:. Kendall‐Hunt Dubuque, Iowa. pp. 264–276.
16:Ability to excel in two or more different fields
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272:
241:
144:
127:
996:(Master's thesis). Retrieved 29 January 2018.
557:
555:
8:
1088:Twigger, Robert, "Anyone can be a Polymath"
846:"The Power and Importance of Specialization"
546:"Why some of us don't have one true calling"
88:, to excel in two or more different fields.
429:"Multipotentiality - Unwrapping the Gifted"
339:In an article on the decline of polymathy,
65:Learn how and when to remove this message
422:
420:
334:Robert A. Heinlein, Time Enough for Love
502:"Creative Blocks or Multipotentiality?"
416:
118:multipotentialite during October 2015.
673:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780199874019.013.031
167:Emilie Wapnick, Terminology, Puttylike
915:"On the Joys of "Multi-Potentialism""
7:
452:New Voices in Counseling the Gifted
222:Jack of all trades, master of none
14:
427:Fisher, Tamara (11 August 2010).
1062:, John Wiley & Sons. (2010).
23:
1001:"What makes a Renaissance Man?"
636:. Boundless.com. Archived from
1040:Does the world need polymaths?
890:"The passing of the polymaths"
316:This sentiment is not new. In
1:
1047:"Polymath: A Renaissance Man"
252:accurately, master polymaths.
154:contexts and cultures today.
976:. Houghton Mifflin Harcourt.
894:Times Higher Education (THE)
819:"Benefits of Specialization"
475:Kim, Heeseung (2017-05-11).
293:Historical context, current
1012:"Last Days of the Polymath"
821:. Boundless. Archived from
749:Anupam Kundu, Tanmay Vora.
726:Anupam Kundu, Tanmay Vora.
390:Generalist (disambiguation)
289:Criticism of specialization
1155:
610:. IsisJade. Archived from
1118:"In defense of polymaths"
953:Koestler, Arthur (1964).
942:. Rio de Janeiro: Maxell.
1095:Wapnick, Emilie (2017).
431:. Education Week Teacher
356:In the current economy,
341:Felipe Fernández-Armesto
936:Araki, Michael (2015).
868:"Master of many trades"
212:With the advent of the
125:. She defines it thus:
1134:Educational psychology
1066:Sher, Barbara (2007).
961:. New York: Macmillan.
337:
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260:
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80:is an educational and
45:by rewriting it in an
1058:Mirchandani, Vinnie,
990:Araki, M. E. (2015).
299:comparative advantage
776:. Online Career Tips
667:. Oxford Handbooks.
588:. I Start And Finish
504:. Living Deep Studio
380:Renaissance humanism
360:and the rise of the
318:Time Enough for Love
226:Renaissance humanism
173:Relevant terminology
1022:The Economist Group
957:The act of creation
634:"Division of Labor"
295:conventional wisdom
1010:(1 October 2009).
844:Saddington, John.
825:on 13 October 2016
753:. Stretch Magazine
730:. Stretch Magazine
640:on 13 October 2016
385:Jack of all trades
322:Robert A. Heinlein
183:Renaissance Person
47:encyclopedic style
34:is written like a
917:. Jamaica Gleaner
866:Twigger, Robert.
795:Van Noy, Andrew.
772:Bergan, Nicolas.
682:978-0-19-987401-9
614:on 17 August 2016
544:Wapnick, Emilie.
500:Bechtold, Patty.
461:978-0-840-31998-2
78:Multipotentiality
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565:. Puttylike
435:25 February
1139:Giftedness
1128:Categories
1027:12 January
900:2018-01-26
799:. Mashable
486:2022-01-20
405:Creativity
358:Creativity
870:. Aeon.co
195:Polymaths
104:Etymology
86:curiosity
375:Polymath
369:See also
332:—
320:(1973),
278:—
263:Business
255:—
228:and the
202:scanners
179:polymath
165:—
132:—
921:27 July
851:27 July
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734:27 July
711:27 July
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508:27 July
324:wrote:
208:Context
99:History
41:Please
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1042:, BBC.
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348:Impact
187:expert
411:Notes
1101:ISBN
1076:ISBN
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456:ISBN
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669:doi
303:USP
218:PhD
181:or
162:go.
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