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On Being a Polymath

Polymath: "a person of wide-ranging knowledge or learning."

Why is it that so many people like Joe Rogan? He's a stand-up comedian, an MMA commentator (and very knowledgeable about the sport), he's a podcast host, a fitness enthusiast, a well-read individual, a bow-hunter, and an aficionado of recreational drugs. He's a polymath. He's also not alone. Many other individuals in his circle (sometimes referred to as the Intellectual Dark Web) are this way as well. Jordan Peterson, Sam Harris, Eric Weinstein, Ben Shapiro, and others can sit in a room and discuss complex topics ranging from psychology to physics to economics in great depth and with clear understanding. It doesn't matter which subjects you choose, but to be a Polymath is to have understanding, comprehension and articulation of a vast array of subjects. 

Some of our most revered figures in history were polymaths. Leonardo Davinci was an inventor, scientist, artist and philosopher. Thomas Jefferson was well versed in politics, philosophy, agriculture, and science. Teddy Roosevelt was outspoken about the environment, science, warfare, and morality. Davinci and others of his generation were "renaissance men". People these days sometimes call someone "a modern renaissance man". Polymath is the true definition. 

One of the polymath's I follow very intently in 2020 is Peter Thiel. Graduating with a Juris Doctorate, he's one of the original inventors of PayPal (with Elon Musk), a board member and early investor in Facebook, the owner of Thiel Capital, and Founder of Palantir. He is well informed and well spoken on politics, economics, philosophy, religion, science, psychology and technology. His ideas are rooted in theory and experience - the cross section we should all seek to achieve. He has clearly sat alone or with others for thousands of hours either in deep thought or deep discussion - the two tenants of fleshed out ideation. 

When I think of myself I think about the aspiration to become a polymath. When asked what I seek to achieve in a 20 year time, it is this. My ideas about a white picket fence or on having a career in technology opposed to energy, change with the years, but my focus on becoming well-rounded, well-read, and well-informed remains solid and clear. 

If you walked into my living room today you would see the following things: a Logitech driving simulator, a chess set, an acoustic guitar, a rubix cube, a few books on space and health, my Brooks running shoes, a kettle bell, my Camelbak and an xbox. You'd probably find my laptop open and a blog post in the works. You'd probably also find Fox News on. The point is, my interests range from cars and driving to chess, music, hiking, running, weight lifting, writing, politics, space, and health. Plus I like to hop on the sticks from time to time and get a couple Call of Duty games in. This didn't happen by accident. The cornerstone is curiosity and the capstone is competition. These two work in tandem, driving me to seek out new subjects and become well versed in them. Then, good friendships give me positive feedback to improve and expand. 

Regardless of the hobbies, ideas, and topics I choose to immerse myself in, there are always more that I can dive into, always more to learn, more to see and do. Amidst the chaotic nature of the year, the nonstop negative news cycles, this remains a universal truth and a constant source of enjoyment. The goal is to become a Polymath.





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