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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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The Polymath summary
Waqas Ahmed
Unlocking the Power of Human Versatility
24 mins
Brief summary
The Polymath by Waqas Ahmed explores the mindset, habits, and traits of polymaths through history, examining their ability to connect seemingly disparate fields and adapt to change.
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The Polymath
Summary of 8 key ideas
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Key idea 1 of 8
By emphasizing the pursuit of multiple interests, talents and forms of self-expression, polymathy enables us to realize our full human potential.
As human beings, we’re all born with multifaceted potential and multiple talents. In other words, we’re all inherently polymaths. How do we know this? Because polymaths have existed throughout human history.
Let’s return to the very earliest human societies. Back then, we needed to be practical generalists – we needed to acquire a wide range of knowledge and skills in order to survive and adapt to hostile environments. In those early societies, it would have been necessary to develop many abilities in order not to die of disease, or starvation, or – worse yet – to be eaten by a hungry bear or wild cat.
Living in such a hostile environment, we might have developed the knowledge to heal, as well as the skills to hunt for food and the skills to build safe and durable shelter. All of these abilities would have been crucial for our survival. The instinctive, polymathic capacity that helped us survive the threats and challenges of our early lives in the wild continues to live on in us.
It’s reflected in the fact that as children, we act and play as polymaths. After all, we’re born with a boundless curiosity about the world, and a desire to explore and grasp it in multiple ways.
This urge we have as children to indulge in various activities – to play physically, to draw, to sing, to make up stories – points to our inherent human capacity for polymathy, and to our innate human need to express ourselves across multiple spheres. As such, those of us who pursue polymathic interests satisfy that essential human potential that evolution has endowed us with.
In this regard, one role model is Nathan Myhrvold, former chief technology officer of the tech giant Microsoft.
That’s because Myhrvold isn’t just a techie. He’s also a wildlife photographer and a professional chef, as well as an inventor who has secured multiple patents. In fact, Myhrvold’s talents are so numerous that the media organization the TED Conference described him as a “professional jack of all trades.”
Myrhvold himself affirmed how important it was for him to embrace his polymathic capacities. In a 2007 TED talk, he described how his pursuit of varied interests allowed him to live out his full potential.
We should follow in Myrhvold’s footsteps by pursuing our polymathic interests. Why? It’s really good for us. What’s more, it’s good for those around us.
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What is The Polymath about?
The Polymath (2019) explains how the hyper-specialization encouraged by society stifles people’s development, creativity and self-fulfilment. Instead, the book argues that everyone should nurture their polymathic capacities, and that educational and professional structures need to be reconfigured to reflect our innate human potential to think, learn and work across multiple fields and in varied ways.
The Polymath Review
The Polymath (2019) is a captivating exploration of the intellectual history of the polymath and why their multidisciplinary approach is essential in the modern world. Here's why this book is worth reading:
- Through rich historical analysis and thought-provoking examples, The Polymath demonstrates the power of integrating knowledge from diverse fields.
- With its emphasis on adapting to complexity and embracing multiple perspectives, the book offers practical insights for thriving in our increasingly interconnected world.
- By showcasing the lives of remarkable polymaths throughout history, The Polymath encourages us to rethink traditional educational models and embrace a more holistic approach to learning.
Who should read The Polymath?
- Employees interested in achieving a more fulfilling professional life
- Entrepreneurs or organizational leaders seeking to improve the work cultures of their companies or organizations
- Anyone with varied, unrelated interests looking for ways to juggle them all
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The Polymath FAQs
What is the main message of The Polymath?
The main message of The Polymath is a celebration of interdisciplinary thinking and the power of curiosity.
How long does it take to read The Polymath?
The reading time for The Polymath varies, but it can typically be read in a few hours. The Blinkist summary can be read in just 15 minutes.
Is The Polymath a good book? Is it worth reading?
The Polymath is a valuable read for those intrigued by the power of intellectual curiosity. It provides inspiration for personal growth and broadening one's perspective.
Who is the author of The Polymath?
The author of The Polymath is Waqas Ahmed.
What to read after The Polymath?
If you're wondering what to read next after The Polymath, here are some recommendations we suggest:
- How to Think More Effectively by The School of Life
- On the Origin of Species by Charles Darwin
- Scattered Minds by Gabor Maté
- Meaningful by Bernadette Jiwa
- The Age of Surveillance Capitalism by Shoshana Zuboff
- The Energy of Belonging by Wendy Gates Corbett
- Outer Order, Inner Calm by Gretchen Rubin
- The Shortest History of Economics by Andrew Leigh
- The Wisdom of Finance by Mihir A. Desai
- Permanent Record by Edward Snowden