The Owlet - The Idea of a Polymath
Hey Friends!
Greetings from Sonipat, Haryana!
I have been fascinated with the idea of becoming a polymath for a while now. It is the idea that, instead of being specialised in one field, you have a swiss-army knife of skills that you can apply across the board. This ensures that you have the flexibility to move from one field to another seamlessly.
So why do I prefer becoming a polymath over the stereotypical route of specialisation?
We live in a world that is undergoing some major changes. Jobs that were once considered premium are now looked down upon, while all around, new job opportunities are springing up. In this perpetual flux, having a skill set that applies across the board will serve me better than niche competence.
Furthermore, many jobs are being mechanised. So I want to direct my attention to improving myself in sectors where computers can compete—things that require creativity. The human imagination is one sector that computer’s cannot replicate as of now. That is why I prioritise artistic and creative endeavours. As James Dale Davidson notes in his book, “The Sovereign Individual”, “In an environment [the information age] the greatest source of wealth will be the ideas in your head…”.
This is also largely the argument behind interdisciplinary education—that developments in most fields are happening at the crossover sections between sectors. Incorporating approaches from different disciplines for a more holistic way of solving problems.
There are many more arguments for being a polymath, but I shall hold myself back for now. What are your thoughts? Send your reply!
This Week
It has been one week since Write of Passage has started, and I'm absolutely pumped! Never before have I met a group of such interesting people! Every call has me furiously taking down notes and asking questions. I feel like I'm on the cusp of really taking off. I'm getting a clearer picture of my personal monopoly.
Last week, a filmmaking company based in US reached out to me for some footage of langurs. They came across my blog and liked my photography. Although I didn't have the exact footage they wanted, I sent them some other elephant footage they might find useful. This is one of the first instances I'm experience the serendipity of the internet!
Since this course is based in the US, most of the sessions occur late into the night or early morning. Thus, I now find myself extremely sleep-deprived, with dark circles forever lining my eyes. Nevertheless, it is a small price to pay. WOP is going to play a major role in shaping the trajectory of my life!
See you next week!
My Favourite Links
Wildscapes – Ishan Shanavas — ishanshanavas.com Photographing wildlife like they are landscapes
Quit social media | Dr. Cal Newport | TEDxTysons — www.youtube.com 'Deep work' will make you better at what you do. You will achieve more in less time. And feel the sense of true fulfillment that comes from the mastery of a ...
Plastics Found In Elephant Dung Sets Alarm Bells Ringing | Nature inFocus — www.natureinfocus.in New study provides incontestable proof that toxic anthropogenic waste is taking a toll on wildlife and that it is critical we come up with a comprehensive waste management strategy
Photo-Story
Alappuzha is arguably one of the most scenic places in Kerala. It is home to the famous backwaters, the enormous water bodies that stretch into the horizon. People from all over the globe flock here to see this magnificent landscape.
I was one such tourist when I took this image. I woke up early in the morning keen to see the interplay of golden light on the water. Rubbing out the sleep from my eyes, I got onto a tour boat and set sail into the distance, when something out of the corner caught my eye.
A couple leagues away, a fishing man was pulling away from shore. He stood backlit against the sun, soon approaching the line of sun rays on the dancing water surface. I kept my camera ready, and as soon as he lined up in place, I took this shot.
Favourite Quote
A polymath is a person of wide-ranging knowledge and skills. Polymaths engage in extended learning across disparate fields, and apply their skills to connect ideas and solve problems in unique ways. - Salman Ansari
Have a great week!
If you’re new, welcome to The Owlet! My name is Ishan Shanavas, and here I talk about my work, along with curating the most interesting ideas on the internet. I confine them to topics like Nature, Culture, Photography, and Art but often fall prey to other genres.
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