We seem to have bottomless respect and blind trust of specialists (and sometimes thats good but not always) Very few people seem to value being able to see accross disciplines and look at the 'bigger picture', the bigger issues.
We've gotten quite good at isolating the variables and solving for them but in the process we frequently lose sight of and feel powerless over bigger issues.
Even when the value of a broad education is grudgingly admitted, we end up placing all our faith in the specialist anyway.
Even here on Yahoo, people get little orange banners to show that they are specialists in their field but there is no recognition of interdisciplinary efforts (not that a megalomaniac wants or needs a little orange banner to be validated) but it would be cool and perhaps even beneficial if we could figure out a way to reward and encourage boundary crossing thought here on Y!A and in the world at large.
Your thoughts?
2007-10-07 09:50:56 · 5 answers · asked by megalomaniac 7 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Philosophy
When I said 'we' I meant 'we humans', not just me.
2007-10-09 14:21:33 · update #1
I am in academia (the Humanities), and I have to say that interdisciplinary studies are gaining a bit more respect. I think is partially because of the rise of cultural studies as well as gender and film studies. I think these fields in particular have helped to broaden the small, compartmentalized areas of specialty. That has been my expeience so far.
For other fields, I'm sure there are endless variations on the generalist/specialist debate...
2007-10-07 10:33:45 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
Little orange banners really don't mean squat. I don't even know how I got it! Me? "Specialist" on Singles and Dating? Oh, Please! Give me a break!
I can think of many other things that I am much more qualified to "specialize" in.
The "specialness" (is that a word?) in "specialist" is subjective and in the eye of the beholder. Just as beauty is!
Edit: I never even tried to answer your question! I saw the orange banner thing and saw red!
Of course there is MORE reason to respect generalists and boundary-crossers! What could be more courageous and admirable than to attempt to know MORE about MORE rather than MORE about LESS? â¥
2007-10-07 17:16:24 · answer #2 · answered by Rhiannon 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
The bigger picture? Most don't even look up and remain aware of what's even happening at any time.
2007-10-11 21:06:41 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 0⤋
because the big picture is scary.
the light is a foot light
and not a flood lamp.
all we can see is the next right step.
2007-10-07 16:57:20 · answer #4 · answered by gary L 4 · 4⤊ 0⤋
oh, i was just wondering why you keep referring to yourself in the plural?
2007-10-08 01:19:07 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋