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Leonardo Da Vinci’s To-Do List

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Re: Leonardo Da Vinci’s To-Do List

#3
I was inspired by Da Vinci in my younger days to become a modern Renaissance Man. Then I discovered that the depth of knowledge in any given field had become far too deep to ever hope at becoming expert in more than one. Sure you can still make art, and study mathematics and astronomy, and so forth, but it's almost impossible to reach the level of mastery that Da Vinci reached in his day. No one hires Renaissance Men anymore :(

Re: Leonardo Da Vinci’s To-Do List

#5

I was inspired by Da Vinci in my younger days to become a modern Renaissance Man. Then I discovered that the depth of knowledge in any given field had become far too deep to ever hope at becoming expert in more than one. Sure you can still make art, and study mathematics and astronomy, and so forth, but it's almost impossible to reach the level of mastery that Da Vinci reached in his day. No one hires Renaissance Men…

I bet that's what they said in Da Vinci's time.

Re: Leonardo Da Vinci’s To-Do List

#6

I was inspired by Da Vinci in my younger days to become a modern Renaissance Man. Then I discovered that the depth of knowledge in any given field had become far too deep to ever hope at becoming expert in more than one. Sure you can still make art, and study mathematics and astronomy, and so forth, but it's almost impossible to reach the level of mastery that Da Vinci reached in his day. No one hires Renaissance Men…

I found this to be true as well. But I think having broad knowledge is helpful regardless to construct new mental models in the work we do. You may not go super deep anymore but understanding the basics of different fields of study is still super useful.

Re: Leonardo Da Vinci’s To-Do List

#7

I was inspired by Da Vinci in my younger days to become a modern Renaissance Man. Then I discovered that the depth of knowledge in any given field had become far too deep to ever hope at becoming expert in more than one. Sure you can still make art, and study mathematics and astronomy, and so forth, but it's almost impossible to reach the level of mastery that Da Vinci reached in his day. No one hires Renaissance Men…

I wonder if entrepreneurship is a counter example?

True, people looking to hire someone are almost always looking for a specialist.

But if you are starting a business, you are almost required to perform many different kinds of roles at the beginning, until you grow to the point where you can hire specialists for all the various functions of the business.

Re: Leonardo Da Vinci’s To-Do List

#8

I was inspired by Da Vinci in my younger days to become a modern Renaissance Man. Then I discovered that the depth of knowledge in any given field had become far too deep to ever hope at becoming expert in more than one. Sure you can still make art, and study mathematics and astronomy, and so forth, but it's almost impossible to reach the level of mastery that Da Vinci reached in his day. No one hires Renaissance Men…

In my career I've found that knowning "enough" about a lot of fields (often self taught) has led me to invent valuable things that experts in any given field would have never discovered. Things with many millions in sales.

Also I've found that experts in some field will say something is impossible that I, not knowing it's "impossible", will try to do anyway and find a way to do it by applying techniques from outside the field.

I feel these are my "secrets of success", other than a lot of hard work and persistence. :)

Re: Leonardo Da Vinci’s To-Do List

#9
post #8

I was inspired by Da Vinci in my younger days to become a modern Renaissance Man. Then I discovered that the depth of knowledge in any given field had become far too deep to ever hope at becoming expert in more than one. Sure you can still make art, and study mathematics and astronomy, and so forth, but it's almost impossible to reach the level of mastery that Da Vinci reached in his day. No one hires Renaissance Men…

In my career I've found that knowning "enough" about a lot of fields (often self taught) has led me to invent valuable things that experts in any given field would have never discovered. Things with many millions in sales. Also I've found that experts in some field will say something is impossible that I, not knowing it's "impossible", will try to do anyway and find a way to do it by applying techniques from outside…

Do you have some examples?

Re: Leonardo Da Vinci’s To-Do List

#10

I was inspired by Da Vinci in my younger days to become a modern Renaissance Man. Then I discovered that the depth of knowledge in any given field had become far too deep to ever hope at becoming expert in more than one. Sure you can still make art, and study mathematics and astronomy, and so forth, but it's almost impossible to reach the level of mastery that Da Vinci reached in his day. No one hires Renaissance Men…

Is it worth it to learn and possess the knowledge of a renaissance man without making money from that knowledge?
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