tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878514937553811165.post6821861041902933452..comments2013-03-19T05:06:07.465-07:00Comments on Weird Science: in defense of the generalistAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16909294074810837780noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878514937553811165.post-73707098634970169872012-04-19T09:05:15.703-07:002012-04-19T09:05:15.703-07:00You know, I actually feel like there's quite a...You know, I actually feel like there's quite a bit of potential for overlap between those two skillsets (solve new problems or carry out known solutions), at least in Tech Art land that's how it starts. Given that the breadth of technologies that are available for solving those problems gets wider by the day, at least in the beginning, you HAVE to grow your skillset to solve the existing problems with known solutions. At some point I think it becomes more about the drive to keep learning new things to do with said skillset, and of course, push into new areas outside the boundaries of the problem set.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16909294074810837780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878514937553811165.post-39148784226932903722012-04-19T04:49:24.335-07:002012-04-19T04:49:24.335-07:00False dichotomy ;)
To roll with your "kaju o...False dichotomy ;)<br /><br />To roll with your "kaju of game dev" analogy...I can say that as far as physicality I "specialize" in boxing. However, being a good boxer doesn't just mean one thing, it's a collection of skills: technique, speed, conditioning, strength, endurance, explosiveness, mental toughness, and so forth. So while I "specialize" in that single sport, as a result I have respectable (though not world-class) lift maxes, 5K time, and what have you. I don't think that I would describe a [good] boxer as a specialist, nor a generalist. It means having a decent toolbox of skills and an ability to apply them.<br /><br />An ability to think, extrapolate solutions, acquire new skills, and understand how existing ones relate to one another is of utmost importance, particularly for longevity in a given market. It is also important to be good at things ;) And no one is truly badass at everything.<br /><br />I don't think you necessarily disagree with what I'm saying, as it sounds like what I'm describing does apply to you -- being super badass at some things, but in the context of a broader skillset and an understanding of how it can all be applied to solve new problems. I just don't see it as a dichotomy. The two extremes of specialist vs generalist, while polar ends of a spectrum, are not at odds. <br /><br />Ultimately, rather than engaging the dichotomy, I think it's more fruitful to ask oneself, "Do I have a skillset that will allow me to solve new problems, or only carry out a known solution to existing ones?".Ericahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17595898236433600072noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878514937553811165.post-86641768120955797992012-04-18T23:39:32.977-07:002012-04-18T23:39:32.977-07:00Truer words I cannot think of...Truer words I cannot think of...Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16909294074810837780noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4878514937553811165.post-82893134663159398022012-04-18T23:38:48.919-07:002012-04-18T23:38:48.919-07:00Yes. Specialize in learning. It pays off, kids. :)...Yes. Specialize in learning. It pays off, kids. :)Mike Actonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07565714870366007034noreply@blogger.com