Peter Thiel on why there are no more polymaths

Polymaths are dead

[medaphysicsrepository]

To the large number of losers on youtube who enjoy watching a variety of NOVA specials and now think themselves a "polymath" please GTFO, You never bothered to watch the damn video: nobody cares and you are not smart nor are you special: you are annoying af and nobody wants to be around you, just stop it and get on with your life.

[gasun]

a polymath is an expensive job that doesn't produce value instantly. look at the polymaths of the 17-18th centuries, they were all rich europeans, who, instead of spending their days on flamboyant cuisine, spend their days studying anything that interested them. they dont need to worry about getting a job, or having to deal with taxes (being born in a large influential family means you have plenty of business-oriented relatives )

[aletheiai]

"""A polymath ... is an individual whose knowledge spans a significant number of subjects, known to draw on complex bodies of knowledge to solve specific problems.""' I expected him to say that *former* polymaths had less "established knowledge" to master before being able to make a meaningful contribution in any of a number of fields. Instead, he's talking about ego and politics.

[bilalkhares]

I think that the problem is that it takes so long to become an expert on one subject (longer now because we now have more to study) and so becoming an expert on many issues is extremely hard

[marknicoll]

The amount of job interviews that I have been through where the interviewer said your interests are too varied for them to hire me irregardless as to how well I preformed in the past. Modern HR departments seem to be actively incentivising specialization and mediocrity.

[gregthomas]

The polymath looks for other polymaths, looking for stories, experiences, faith, ability and so on, they learn a lot about themselves and how to use the polymathy and if ur a polymath it's about answers

[waxcomb]

Sounds like he's talking about the icarus effect

[philipaghatise]

I am personally surprised at the conversation going on here. The pinned comment sounds like someone scared, insecure, egocentric. It not educative, it just more like an hate comment

[sherlockholmeslives.]

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe ( 1749 - 1832 )
German poet, novelist, playwright, scientist, lawyer, theatre director, statesman, critic, polyglot, and painter.

Author of 'Faust'.

[bloodluster]

The few humans intelligent enough and with enough memory capacity to connect the dots get lobotomized or worse.

[simontalbot]

I am 24 years old and I am quickly advancing towards polymathy, I've been learning extracurricular things 3+ hours a day for the last 12 years

[waywardmuse]

Y’all, this is what the Divergent movie trilogy is all about. Are you making a prophesy? I am a radical polymath - wildly “divergent”.

[eddysparks]

I am a proud and self-proclaimed autodidact Polymath. I don’t tell many people that because even though it encapsulates my whole being, people just don’t understand. The world needs more polymaths. A true Polymath has capabilities of learning and doing anything in the world. And I mean anything. A true Polymath is also someone Who is driven by hey certain understanding that is very elusive too many unless you are one yourself, do not ever criticize a polymath until you can learn about their true motive and knowledge in a particular area. I know that I could work in any area in any part of industry or politics. Do not judge and dismiss unless you are more knowledgeable.

[GoldAndSilver]

My favorite historical person, whose many books I have read or am reading, is Joseph Priestley, a true polymath.

[agentkruger]

Entirely depends on your definition of polymath and what one intends to achieve by being such.

[hoboeyjobi]

I spy Cliff Stoll's Wine Klein on the table lol. I just ordered a Klein bottle a couple days ago myself and it's on the way!

[LECityLECLEC]

love Peter Thiel’s work, when is the next book coming out?

[scriptkiddy]

Where can I see the complete discussion?

[brusli]

What made you an "expert" 500 years ago is taught in middle school now. Society, economy and its rules have massively changed.

[quietone]

I thought this was about the security token.