Why It’s Time to Replace the Industrial Mindset with the Polymath One

Polymathic traits, once innate to Stone Age humans, were key to their survival. Hunter-gatherers, navigating ever-changing environments and diverse challenges, needed a broad skill set. They tracked animals, identified edible plants, crafted tools, and found shelter. In their small, nomadic groups, each person’s wide range of skills was crucial for the group’s survival. Without specialization, they thrived on interconnected tasks, learning and applying knowledge across various domains. How else could they have survived?

But why did this change? About 10,000 years ago, after a long phase of transition from foragers, humans settled to farm, reducing the need for a wide skill set. This led to task specialization, such as farming and animal husbandry. As societies grew, the division of labor became more pronounced, with roles such as blacksmiths, weavers, and farmers enhancing efficiency. Then, the rise of cities and trade further encouraged this specialization. Professional guilds upheld standards within each profession, and the 19th-century industrial revolution amplified this trend.

Thus, specialization is a recent development in the 300,000-year timeline of Homo sapiens, spanning only the last 10,000 years – just 3.33% of our history. Imagine how deeply rooted polymathic traits must be in our collective memory by comparison. Despite the division of labor, knowledge generation and transmission remained polymathic until the 19th century when the sciences increasingly specialized, following the earlier emergence of reductionist science, which narrowed the focus of inquiry to isolated components, often at the expense of understanding the whole. Industrialization (18th-20th centuries) intensified this shift. Industrialization drove hyper-specialization through the division of labor, advanced communications, globalization, technological progress, economic incentives, changing work patterns, and specialized education and training. These elements together created highly specialized industries and job roles that define the modern economy.

Similar processes affected education. From a young age, modern education divides knowledge into distinct fields and subjects, fostering the belief that specialization is key to understanding. The digital revolution of the late 20th century, with computers, microprocessors, digital phones, and the internet, accelerated hyperspecialization. It enhanced efficiency, quality, and cost advantages, allowing workers to focus on specific tasks or industries. This led to exponential progress. Digital technologies follow Moore's law, with rapid, exponential advancement. This swift technological growth demands specialized skills and knowledge to keep pace with the latest developments. Consequently, the digital revolution has transformed the economy and society, creating new organizational forms that replaced the old Fordist model. In this digitized network society, networks matter not just for communication but also for global innovation, R&D collaboration, and value chains.

HOW  VERSATILITY HAS SHAPED HISTORY

What’s most interesting about this development is that, in stark contrast to the specialization of labor, knowledge generation and breakthroughs continued to occur and be transmitted in a polymathic manner. Before the Industrial Revolution, humanity considered the body of knowledge as a whole, with disciplines not siloed but all interconnected. In fact, many disciplines did not exist in the sense we know them today.

Polymaths acted like midwives, accompanying the birth of modern civilization. They shaped the course of history (and particularly the history of ideas) across civilizations, from ancient Greece to the Islamic Golden Age to the European Renaissance and beyond. Polymathic talents made groundbreaking contributions in art, science, philosophy, literature, technology, governance, and other fields. Have a look at these names! Confucius, Aristotle, Pythagoras, Hypatia, Archimedes, Cleopatra of Egypt, Cicero, Maimonides, Avicenna, Al Biruni, Al Farabi, Pope Sylvester II, Hildegard of Bingen, Leonardo da Vinci, Michelangelo Buonarroti, Albrecht Dürer, Nicolaus Copernicus, John Lock, Galileo Galilei, Erasmus of Rotterdam, William Shakespeare, Hildegard von Bingen, René Descartes, Isaac Newton, Gottfried Leibnitz, Whilliam Blake, Charles Darwin, Jean-Jacque Rousseau, the von Humboldt brothers (Whilhelm and Alexander), Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Firendrich Schiller, Empress Maria Theresa, Frederick II, Holy Roman Emperor and Frederick the Great (of Prussia), Peter the Great, Akbar the Great, Henry VIII, Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, Bertrand Russell, Karl Marx, Dmitri Mendeleev, Alfred Nobel, Albert Einstein, Rabindranath Tagore, Winston Churchill,  Robert Oppenhimer, Charlie Chaplin, Alan Turing, Benoit B. Mandelbrot, Iain McGilchrist...

Their multifaceted nature and ability to connect ideas across disciplines enabled them to innovate and solve complex problems in ways that specialists could not. It is therefore ironic that our modern hyper-specialized society labels many of these innovators as ‘geniuses,’ while ignoring the primary quality that made their extraordinary contributions possible in the first place – their versatility. If you are interested in journeying into the world of polymathic movers and shakers across all times and cultures, explore the book “Why Polymaths?”, there you will find plenty of examples of significant polymathic personalities and their impact. In this book, you will also discover why polymaths, once the norm, became a taboo topic. The story behind this shift is somewhat complicated, but it is linked to the Industrial Age. Industrialization required a new mindset that conflicted with the traditional methods of polymathic learning and cognitive work.

THE INDUSTRIAL MINDSET

The industrial mindset refers to a set of attitudes, beliefs, and practices that emerged during the Industrial Revolution and have influenced work and education systems since. It’s astonishing that its features remain almost unchanged, even though we officially passed the Industrial Age long ago.

The Information Age, or Digital Age, marked a shift to an economy based on information technology, with the rise of computers, the internet, and digital communication. This evolved into the Knowledge Age, focusing on the creation, distribution, and application of knowledge, where intellectual capital became crucial. The Post-Industrial Age saw economies transition from manufacturing to service-oriented sectors like finance, healthcare, and education. The Experience Age emphasized user experience, personalized services, and customer engagement, with a notable rise in the gig economy. Currently, the Fourth Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0, integrates advanced technologies such as AI, robotics, the Internet of Things, and big data, transforming production, logistics, and supply chains through smart factories and automation. And yet, when we look at the education system and large corporations, it’s clear the industrial mindset is like an old software program – outdated but still running in the background. Futurists have a great name for that - “used future”. Here are the characteristics of the industrial mindset. Take a moment to reflect on them and ask yourself - why do we persist in this state?

Specialization - workers are trained to perform specific tasks or roles within a larger production process. This division of labor aims to increase efficiency and productivity.

Standardization - processes and outputs are standardized to ensure uniformity and predictability. This includes standardized education systems, job roles, and production methods.

Hierarchical Structure - organizations and institutions are typically structured in a top-down, hierarchical manner with clear lines of authority and control.

Efficiency and Productivity - emphasis is placed on maximizing efficiency and productivity, often through repetitive tasks and time management techniques.

Mechanistic View - the industrial mindset often views organizations and work processes as machines, with workers serving as interchangeable parts within a system.

Conformity and Compliance - workers are expected to follow established procedures and guidelines, with limited space for creativity or deviation from the norm.

Long-Term Employment - the industrial era was marked by stable, long-term employment arrangements, with clear career paths and job security.

Education for Employment - educational systems are designed to prepare individuals for specific roles within the industrial economy, focusing on vocational skills and rote learning.

The best illustration of this practice comes from 1916, when Ellwood P. Cubberley, Dean of the Stanford University School of Education, pointed out: "Our schools are, in a sense, factories, in which the raw materials, children, are to be shaped and fashioned into products." The specifications for manufacturing come from the demands of 20th-century civilization, and it is the business of the school to build its pupils according to the specifications laid down." 

It hurts even to read these words, doesn’t it? Because this is not how we wish to have it today.

Now is the time to shift to a mindset that corresponds to our era, meets the demands of our time, and aligns with our understanding of humanity.

Most importantly, the rise of artificial intelligence compels us to rethink how we learn, communicate, work, and solve global challenges. The industrial mindset has been increasingly challenged by the demands of the modern knowledge economy, which values creativity, adaptability, and interdisciplinary skills. We urgently need a shift towards a mindset that encourages a broader range of knowledge and skills, and is seen as essential for thriving in the growing complexity of our world.

WHY THE NEXT SHIFT IS NEEDED

Where are we today? Hyperspecialization has proven to be a powerful tool for productivity, but it has also led us to our current predicament. Despite being in the midst of abundance, we are on the brink of self-destruction, threatening not only our own species but also global ecosystems. The digital revolution has transformed business, emphasizing the need for organizations to balance specialization with adaptability and agility. While hyperspecialization offers efficiency and value, the fast pace of digital change requires organizations to be flexible and responsive. And this is one of the key pillars of polymathy, due to the ongoing synthesis of the new through integration. Thus, a shift towards a more versatile, polymathic approach, encompassing multi-specialization and multidimensional professionalism, is becoming increasingly important for several reasons.

Adaptability

Workers who possess a diverse set of skills and knowledge are better equipped to adapt to new challenges and opportunities. For instance, an urban planner with expertise in sociology, environmental engineering, and data science could design smart cities that are both socially inclusive and ecologically sustainable. Similarly, a medical researcher with a background in genetics, anthropology, and artificial intelligence could develop personalized medicine approaches that consider both biological and cultural factors. A polymathic approach allows individuals to draw upon multiple areas of expertise to solve complex problems, such as an entrepreneur with knowledge in finance, environmental science, and industrial design, creating sustainable business models for eco-friendly products.

Interdisciplinary Collaboration

Many of the most pressing challenges facing society today, such as climate change, public health crises, social inequality, cybersecurity threats, sustainable development, global economic instability, political polarization, technological disruption, environmental degradation, and migration and refugee crises, can only be solved through interdisciplinary collaboration. A broad base of knowledge enables polymathic professionals to communicate effectively and collaborate with specialists from various fields to develop comprehensive solutions. Because of this, they are uniquely positioned to lead multidisciplinary teams. Polymaths 'speak the languages' of multiple disciplines and domains, allowing them to 'translate' between fields and foster a stronger collaborative spirit. How do they manage this? They do not identify with a single specialization, nor do they have issues with "gatekeeping." This topic will be explored further in the book.

Lifelong Learning

The rapid advancement of technology demands a dedication to lifelong learning, especially as some careers face extinction. For instance, an accountant might need to reskill by learning data analysis and artificial intelligence to transition into a role in financial technology (FinTech) or automated auditing. A factory worker specialized in manual assembly might have to learn robotics programming, machine maintenance, and automation to stay relevant in a highly automated manufacturing environment. An architect might continually learn about advancements in green building materials, smart technology, and urban sociology to design spaces that meet modern needs. A polymathic approach encourages individuals to continuously expand their knowledge and skills, enabling them to stay relevant in a rapidly evolving job market. For instance, a retail worker whose job is threatened by e-commerce could retrain in e-commerce management, web development, and digital marketing to shift into online retail operations.

Creativity and Innovation

The integration of diverse knowledge often leads to innovative breakthroughs. Studies on polymathy among Nobel laureates reveal that their ability to synthesize knowledge from different fields is a key creative strategy. In business and industry, fostering creativity through interdisciplinary approaches has been linked to increased innovation and entrepreneurship. Research indicates that individuals with interdisciplinary backgrounds often generate a greater quantity and quality of ideas during brainstorming sessions. This is attributed to their diverse knowledge bases and perspectives, which enhance creative problem-solving. For instance, a study on interdisciplinary teams found that such diversity fosters creativity by integrating varied perspectives, knowledge, skills, and abilities, thereby stimulating creative thinking and preventing premature consensus on complex issues.

While monomathic specialization (or hyperspecialization) has its merits in certain areas, it falls short in today’s fast-paced world. A hyperspecialist might find it tough to keep up with the rapid changes and complex challenges we face. It's time to move from a collective monomathic mindset to a polymathic one.  This change is inevitable, and it’s already on the way. The rise of interdisciplinarity across all spheres of life is a strong signal of humanity returning to the polymathic track.

(Extract from the book "Future of Work: From Industrial to Polymath Mindset" by Aksinya Staar.)