Polymathics Intro--What the heck is a polymath anyways?
Channel: Josh Coker
Date: 2014-02-28

In this video, Josh Coker introduces the concept of the Polymath – a person versed in many subjects; a renaissance man. The importance of the polymathic approach to the issues of our modern world is addressed, as technology frees humanity from mundane tasks to better pursue solutions to greater global problems with creativity and critical thinking. 

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What is a Polymath? 

Because I'm sure some you guys are asking. Right? 

You probably never heard of the word. Also, why would you care?

So let's get right into it! The term "Polymath" comes from the Greek, and it's broken down into two root words: 

"Poly" meaning many. 

And "Math" meaning subject.

So in the Renaissance this would refer to someone who was an expert in several different fields. Leonardo da Vinci is a perfect example of this. You know--The Everyman. Artist, philosopher, scientist, inventor etc... This is not to be confused with a jack of all trades and master of none. No. That would have been the local smithy or workman; right? 

There's a huge difference between that and Leonardo Da vinci. So the nuance here is that a polymath would have been a jack of all trades master of ***SOME***


And therein lies the true key.The polymathic mindset; the way that they look at life and attack problems; right? So because of this mastery that they had, honed, what would happen is when they saw problem? It wouldn't just come at them from one one angle, or from two. They can look at it from multiple angles. All at one time. Because of their mastery in different fields, they were able to see connections in seemingly unrelated topics. And because of that, instead of seeing multiple problems, what they really did was saw big problem--as a whole---and where the root of that problem came from. And then they were able to tailor the appropriate solution. That allowed humankind to enter into new horizons. A new era are understanding and invention. And then they brought humankind new heights. 

So if we look at the way technology has advanced over the past few decades. Information is coming out at an alarming rate. And the problems that we face today are far more complex and far more difficult than former generations. Than those that our fathers faced, or grandfathers.  And what that calls for is a different solution. Ever since the Industrial Revolution (roughly around that time frame) we--the Western culture--have focused on a "specialist mindset". A "Monomath".Sticking to one thing and being good at it. Working for company for years and years and years. 

Well now (as time progressed) we're starting to see that technology is taking care of those more simpler tasks. And what people are really good at, is getting creative in seeing things from different angles. And that's really where I feel as though the pendulum is shifting from the monomath to the polymath. 

The purpose of this site is to give you the tools. And then more importantly--the mindset--on how to become a modern-day polymath.

We see them popping up everywhere nowadays. People who are very good in several different fields and different subjects. This allows them to come up with solutions; grand solutions to great big juicy problems. And if we (as the human race)  intend to ever get off this rock and do anything further, then we need more people like that.

So I hope that this  gives you an idea of what a polymath is and I hope I didn't bore you to tears.