Using The Multi-Disciplinary Spectrum
While this image above was made to be a placeholder, it does give off the idea I’m trying to convey. Think of all of these terms in a cloud of words, that they all can describe a person’s knowledge levels. We need to be able to quantify width and depth of knowledge. Your brain doesn’t just hold the knowledge of your career, but of your skills/hobbies/+ more.
I think that some terms need more clarification, which is why I made a series on this Spectrum. https://polyinnovator.space/the-multidisciplinary-spectrum-finale/
A quick note the “true polymath” spot got some backlash, as it came across as “being better”. That isn’t the case, as it was simply to exemplify the level of knowledge. I figured generalist is more middle level of knowledge in a few areas, polymath being higher than that (around expert level), and true polymath being more of a deep expert (top 20 % kind of thing) in many areas. At least a deep expert in 2, and semi-expert in 2 or more additional fields. In later revisions of this chart I changed it to “universalist polymath”.
The chart isn’t meant to be a work of art, rather be a tool to help people identify where they’re at, but I do think it needs more of an aesthetic appeal too. While I love the Multipotentialite movements, there needs to be an understanding that it is more of a starting point. A mindset too, as people who find that term finally have something to market themselves as. That is the biggest benefit I’ve seen for people with it, where they finally have a way of expressing/explaining themselves.
However having the POTENTIAL to do many things, is different than doing multiple things for a period of time. If it is a short period of time, and you have more of a novice level in many areas. Then that is a short depth, vast width, which is a Jack of all trades (maybe T-shaped if you happen to have a specialty too).
Given enough time spent in those fields, there would have been SOME opportunity cost of time to focus. Narrowing down the vast width, to a more manageable amount of 3–5 areas, and that entails a Generalist level of medium depth.
Given enough focus on a few areas, one could theoretically be a dual or triple specialist. In fact I think that placement is far more common, than what people would originally predict.
If it is three or more deep levels of knowledge, that means in essence a polymath level. However I do think there are multiple levels to polymaths itself, and the amazing researchers in the field of polymathy are working on identifying that scale too.
For the time being there are three levels.
- Niched Polymath, that of someone with 3–4 areas of deep knowledge in closely related fields. Akin to my PolyInnovator concept, or that of maybe a CompSci Engineer maybe.
- Traditional Polymath, something more of a diverse set of interests, but once again at a deep level. Think 60–80% depth of knowledge, and usually it seems more towards the 80.
- Finally we have the Universalist Polymath. I’m not sure if both of these descriptions are true, or if it is some combination of the two. That of a traditional polymath, with the added combination of a jack of all trades novice level in many additional areas. OR the idea of being top 30–20% in 3–4 fields. So an even more deeply specialized polymath.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, we have the what is essentially impossible to achieve. The Omnimath. A concept that I came up with (along with a couple others, such as on reddit or twitter, at different times), that is what most people actually think a Polymath is.
Omni meaning ALL, an Omnimath is knowing all subject matters/areas. Now technically it is impossible, even if you were immortal really, as the human species constantly discovers new things in countless fields every year/decade.
However it is put there to be sort of a cap to it all it.
If the potential to do anything, multipotentialite, is the start; Then knowing all, is the end.
The whole chart is meant to be able to allow people to identify where they are at in their quest for knowledge and lifestyle. It allows you to find a term to identify with, to anchor to, and to market yourself with to recruiters or bosses. That isn’t to say they will always respond well, but it helps to make that attempt to explain. If not actually working in other times.
In the next version I have added things like “Scanner”, “Linkybrain”, and more to help more people find their spot! :D
Check out another great post!
https://polyinnovator.space/the-multidisciplinary-spectrum-finale/
