About knowledge, learning, and the duality of life

Can you guess what I cooking?

Probably not, so let me tell you, it is a soup, which I start by using white rice and black "Beluga" lentils (I got this black lentils obsession now, as I was reading about some billionaire trying and succeeding at keeping himself young, and one of the 8 food ingredients that he was using was black lentils, so I did a quick research about it and I started to use it myself, adding them in some of my meals, the guy spends $8M of life extension research, so I knew that he may have been into something).

But I digress, as I wanted to talk about the duality of knowledge and learning, mainly, and approaching learning, there are two strategies, the first being about learning everything you need to a decent level (or even a bit more, as being evenly round-up, you are more resistant to gaps in knowledge, but you will not shine through, you may, if your name is Leonardo, but otherwise, this will be a lifelong learning process). This is what I call knowledge as a shield, it is rounded up, is better than average, and will protect you all your life. The second one is a bit more controversial and selective, knowledge as a spear, where you possess a skill, an affinity, and you become one of the best people in the world at what you do. No, I do not talk about mastery, I am talking about a level above it, virtuosity. Being talented at something, you are potentially one of the Chosen to excel at this skill, and all that you need is to dedicate your whole life to being the best. This is not 1%, that's too easy, it is more like 0.01%. It is about you becoming one of the first 10 people in the world at what you do. As you are building your shield, growing up, you reach average and then expert level in most of your life-saving skills. And this is good. Being well-rounded and hard-working makes you ideal for all medium-level jobs, where you can get decent money and life a good life. But, if you are discovering your skill, your ability, and your gift to humankind, then it is your duty to become the best at it. Being hard-working and gifted, you are one of the few that can shine a light, enlightening the whole world.

Between them two, the difference is clear, is night and day. But do not despair. Einstein has this theory, that each one of us possesses at least one of these gifts, these talents, but the main issue is to discover which one is it. Some discover it early, the geniuses, as we call them. Some discover their talent in the middle of their life, some later in life, and there are plenty of examples to prove all this. And some live their whole life never to discover what was their life mission. Think about a kid gifted at swimming, born in the middle of the sub-Sahara region, in a poor family, never to leave his village. I have this theory too, and that's why, as a kid, I think that we should explore every possible avenue, every sport, every job or apprenticeship that makes us tick. Go to do martial arts, learn to use a thread and needle, do sports, all kinds of sports, learn chess, travel, learn foreign languages.

Other scientists and researchers oppose this view, and one of them is Robert Heinlein with his famous quote:

"Specialization is for insects, 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, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly."

So, think about whether are you a shield or a spear. How do you grow, and how do you learn?

That's all for today, see you tomorrow.
George

Sidenote: Actually, as I mentioned Leonardo, he said that there is a way to be both. Learn and get a solid education as a child and teenager, and train your strong points, making connections between the various skills and sciences, and even invent all new skills and sciences, joining 2-3 other ones that you learn. This way you are perfect, you can be both the shield and the spear. You can be what he called l'uomo universalis. Closed and out!