“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.
Specialization is for insects.“
This is a quote from the science fiction writer Robert Heinlein, from the 1973 book Time Enough for Love.
I agree with the overall point, but when you look at the specific examples, some of them seem like real head-scratchers in today’s world. You have to remember that Heinlein was writing this from his own context. He grew up on a farm, then was in the Navy, in general had a somewhat militaristic mindset, and was writing this 50 years ago.
The world has moved more toward specialization in the last half-century, and that’s a good thing.… Read more