[noname123]

No. It's not polymath enough because you haven't acquired the subtle art of impressing other people without coming off like someone who needs to brag about themselves or making already insecure people feel more insecure about themselves.

Without proper social-skills you are just a douche in lab coat/pocket-protector/drama club/hipster enclave. The true modern polymath, IMO are Frank Abagnale, Larry Ellison and Craig Ventor.

[keyist]

It's particularly amusing to see someone spout off on HN of all places, with the sheer number of CEOs, CTOs, and successful founders (http://samsnyder.com/2010/11/19/successful-people-on-hacker-... ). Not to forget successful authors (cstross) and someone like cperciva whose accomplishments would require pagination.

None of whom feel the need to reference their position or achievements unless providing clarification, context, or disclaimers.

[presidentender]

I blame the self-esteem generation thing, and Christopher Paolini's parents.

[rorymarinich]

I wasn't aware that listing a set of things I've done counts as impressing people. It's not like I go around just announcing accomplishments to crowds hoping they'll cheer me or toast me or blow me.

We're discussing an article that opens up by mentioning one man's prowess in multiple areas. The article uses this man as a springboard to ask if there are similarly talented people today. My response was that I think there are, and that while the current generation of Internet People is still young, there's a hell of a lot of promise there, pretty much wherever you look.

I'm sorry if you're insecure about yourself; I didn't mean to shove a list in your face in an attempt to make you feel unhappy. I know firsthand the shallow satisfaction that comes from doing things just to fill out a resume; happiness comes from friendship and personal curiosities. When I was 17 I thought writing a novel would make me happy; it didn't.

I don't know much about Ellison and Ventor. Would you really call Abagnale a polymath? He's a fascinating man, but I don't know him well enough to say that his activities are diverse enough to be called polymath. He was a con man; now he works in security. What else has he done?

[noname123]

Don't feel defensive. I think it's great that you are putting yourself in public and getting feedback. The truth is most people think that they are the shit but yet they are so insecure to express so in public. So they feel like Unibomber on the inside but are too chicken-shit to do actually like the Unibomber.

But it's important to take criticism well. Like playing music, it's jarring to hear your own voice or playing on records but it's the only way to get feedback and improve. What you are doing is to turn my criticism of you against me and it doesn't reflect poorly on me but shows off your bruised ego. You are free to think for yourself and then dismiss my criticism but don't turn it into the "idealistic you" vs. the materialistic world; that's descending into the Unibomber rabbit-hole.

And by the way, this is coming from someone who went through a phase of attempting to write the Great American Novel, exploring the liberal arts/music/philosophy/bohemian living, whatever you want to call it. Yeah, it was a very educational experience.

[rorymarinich]

Oops! No! I'm sorry if it sounded like I was suggesting you were insecure. I think I misinterpreted when you said "making already insecure people feel more insecure about themselves". I worried you were referring to yourself.

If I could go back and edit my original post, I would, but the edit window closed. I legitimately didn't mean that to be dickwaving. And I tried to say that I don't think I'm a polymath. I'm too young and too stupid. Maybe one day. Anyway, I didn't write it that well and it came off as me trying to look like an Internet Superhero. My apologies.

I go to an art school right now and boy oh boy does the cockiness and one-man-against-the-universe-ing get old. I agree; the only way to really do interesting things is to constantly self-doubt and push to expand. My favorite artists/people in general are the ones who to this day insist on trying to be better than they are.

[Helianthus16]

>I wasn't aware that listing a set of things I've done counts as impressing people

this is what he said.

your statement is essentially 'i think i am a polymath and so are my friends'

>My response was that I think there are, and that while the current generation of Internet People is still young, there's a hell of a lot of promise there

man, when did i get so old that i'm cynical of generational pride? every generation feels this way, at the edge of the new and exciting.

[rorymarinich]

> man, when did i get so old that i'm cynical of generational pride? every generation feels this way, at the edge of the new and exciting.

Hahaha. Aren't they? I mean, the thirtysomethings and late twentysomethings that I know do CRAZY cool shit. I hope when I'm that old I'm as cool as them. I mean, I love my generation, but I love the generation right before me too, and I'm really looking forward to what the kids who're 10 right now are doing when they're my age.

[shadowfox]

> I mean, the thirtysomethings and late twentysomethings that I know do CRAZY cool shit

Such as?