BY DOUGLAS S. MCDANIEL

 

A contemporary, 21st-century polymath is essentially a jack-of-all-trades for our modern age, and that is now more than ever a high compliment – neither an insult nor a dig. The phrase "jack of all trades, master of none" is often attributed to Robert Greene from his 1592 booklet, Greene's Groats-Worth of Witte. Greene coined the phrase “Johannes fac totu” to criticize William Shakespeare, implying that Shakespeare was a mere actor who was presumptuously trying to write plays. How dare he? A “Shake-scene”, as Greene implied, refers to a self-important actor, who acts as a stage hog.

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The full phrase, however, does imply that a person can often become competent in many skills, even if they may not be an expert in any particular one. Philosopher and social scientist Nate Hagens posits that we are indeed entering a golden era for generalists – the "big picture thinkers who translate concepts into action." 

 

As we enter the second quarter of the 21st century in the coming months, these “digital jacks,” or modern generalists, often seem to have a greater knack for blending knowledge from various areas like technology, science, the arts, and societal issues. What sets us apart, more than just intelligence, is our curiosity and adaptability to new information and trends, such as AI, biotechnology, and the digital cultural shifts that continue to reshape our world.

 

Our way of thinking could be likened to navigating a "multiverse"— a cognitive twist inspired by the concept in physics where many universes – of thought and of action – exist simultaneously. For multiverse thinkers, each field or discipline can be its own distinct universe. Using this approach, we become more able to skillfully navigate and link these varied areas, creating connections that drive new ideas and solutions. We also become more adept at fluidly moving between each of our particular universes, drawing connections that might not be obvious to others at first glance.

 

Another intriguing window into such thinking is through the influence of dialetheism, the philosophical idea that suggests that some statements can be both true and false simultaneously. This openness often helps multiverse thinkers embrace complexity and contradiction, allowing them to navigate challenges and inconsistencies without becoming easily overwhelmed.