Should we pursue polymathy as intensely (eg timewise) as Da Vinci?

[Magnanimous]

In response to another question in the Forum Leo once said that we should become a master of all trades (fields we're interested in) as possible.

But that is extraordinarily time consuming, so I was wondering what we should be considering before doing that or not.

[Bobby_2021]

It is not that difficult to attain mastery over one thing. Most people can do it they put in the effort.

It takes a true genius to be a master over multiple crafts. I have devised a system to do the achieve the polymathy level of mastery over multiple fields as much as possible. It is totally worth it. 

If you have to consider it, then you are probably not interested in it.

One of the biggest factors in reaching polymathy levels of master is to deeply care about the domains of Truth. If you don't care enough, then you can simply forget about it. 

[LastThursday]

We're all polymaths. It's just that the things most of us gain mastery in (walking, talking, socialising, surviving) don't seem like a big deal. We end up cherry picking what are "good" or "interesting" things to master and applaud people who can do more than one of those things.

Mastery also doesn't have an end. So then it becomes a question of just how much mastery is acceptible to congratulate someone on.  It's all concensus and fashion.

The thing about polymathy is that each area of skill synergises with every other area and there's a multiplying effect. It's clear from someone like Da Vinci that he used all his skills together, not just each one separately.

[Magnanimous]

5 hours ago, Bobby_2021 said:

It takes a true genius to be a master over multiple crafts. I have devised a system to do the achieve the polymathy level of mastery over multiple fields as much as possible. It is totally worth it. 

Can you tell me the system?

[Philipp]

Have you read "Refuse to Choose"? The perspective given in this book is quite unique. It states, that you should not do one of the things that motivates and interests you, but you should do ALL of the things that interest and motivate you. Leo for example also did psychology, politics, spirituality, dating (and explored game design and buisness for some time). Of course you should not be all over the place, thats why you need to be organized and focus on one or two things at a time. Maybe have a routine for 15 minutes each day, where do something else that interest you. 

I think the lesson of this book is:  Don't waste your trying to choose that one thing you want to do, and instead figure out how you can do a lot of it ( even if you just for 15 minutes a day) 

[Bobby_2021]

7 hours ago, Magnanimous said:

Can you tell me the system?

If it's successful. I am still on it. Polymaths always amazed me from childhood. Kinda not on point if there is no results. Let me try it first. I am not a ploymath by any means. 

[mostly harmless]

Certainly not if you have ADHD already.

[SeaMonster]

Unless you have a 150+ IQ, don't bother.  You'll be a jack of all trades rather than a true polymath.

[LastThursday]

On 28/09/2023 at 5:20 AM, SeaMonster said:

Unless you have a 150+ IQ, don't bother.

With defeatist thinking like that, you'll never be a polymath either. It's the other way round. Practising polymathy makes you more intelligent.

[SeaMonster]

2 hours ago, LastThursday said:

With defeatist thinking like that, you'll never be a polymath either. It's the other way round. Practising polymathy makes you more intelligent.

It's simple realism and knowing your limitations.  You're not going to be DaVinci without his IQ and God-Given talent.  You may be able to get the equivalent of multiple college degrees in whatever fields you're interested in, but that is not the same as being a DaVinci level polymath (or Goethe or even Ben Franklin.)

[Epikur]

You can do all of it on a very low level. With an IQ of 88 I have to be humble.

I am at such an age where I have a bit of time to do the things where I did not have time for in the past. For example Astronomy. It is fascinating what is going on there but it takes brain effort to digest the information.

Edited September 30, 2023 by Epikur

[LastThursday]

On 9/30/2023 at 3:17 PM, SeaMonster said:

You're not going to be DaVinci without his IQ and God-Given talent.

Da Vinci might be the archetype for polymathy, yes, but there are other ways to be a polymath. I just don't see that there has to be an a priori connection between IQ or talent and polymathy. We can all practise it if we want to, it's not an elitist activity. Like I said, people who are polymaths tend to be more intelligent precisely because they practise polymathy.

Edited October 2, 2023 by LastThursday