Re: a dumb query? pls humor me
On Wed, 2007-03-14 at 19:53 -0400, Celejar wrote:
> On Wed, 14 Mar 2007 11:52:14 -0400
> Greg Folkert <greg@gregfolkert.net> wrote:
> > On Tue, 2007-03-13 at 23:23 -0400, Celejar wrote:
> > > *Poof*. I'm really disillusioned about you, Michelle. OTOH, being
> > > reminded that highly technically adept people can still have lunatic
> > > political beliefs is reassuring; whenever I feel insecure about my
> > > conservative opinions due to the masses of staunch liberals who are
> > > experts in their fields, I just remember that expertise often doesn't
> > > carry over to areas outside of one's core competence.
> >
> > I can sew and knit!
> >
> > But Generalists in many things can do more than Specialists can in even
> > the core Specialty. I for one have shown many a "Specialist" faster and
> > easier ways to do things in their own specialty that they never even
> > thought to look for or do. Mainly I see things from a "System
> > Perspective", it is a curse for long term employment.
> >
> > Many times it is frustrating to see Specialist requiring a HUGE amounts
> > of "special cases" when if they used the resources already available to
> > do the job things would be more compatible on updates and upgrades. More
> > like, they want a "Special Hand Made Long Handle 24oz Tuned Framing
> > Hammer" for doing general hammering, when a 20oz All steel claw hammer
> > with a molded rubber handle cover is available and does a better job for
> > trim and general nailing work.
> >
> > It is more a forest and trees things. Well, seeing a field of pine
> > needles in spite of the pine trees making a forest.
>
> I think it was Heinlin who said "specialization is for insects".
And, by crickey, he is damn right! It is one of my favorite quotes of
all time.
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.
-Robert A. Heinlein
Bingo!
--
greg, greg@gregfolkert.net
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