Venn Diagram Generalism

I like the concept of T-shaped generalism, because the implication is that we ideally have something we’re really good at, truly trained and learned in, alongside a bunch of other interests we also explore (if on a comparably superficial level).

I would contend, though, that we needn’t limit ourselves to just one masterful pursuit. Yes, we have a finite amount of time and energy, so investment in one field will tend to reduce the investment we can make in others, but if we look for cross-training opportunities, expertise in one area can give us a leg-up in another, which in turn can help us with many more.

Reading and writing are two very different things, for instance, but reading a lot will tend to help a budding author (or journalist, or poet) develop a refined voice faster, and as we grow as writers, we become capable of appreciating the works we consume from new angles.

Visual arts are distinct from writing, but both require the capacity to come up with fresh ideas and then make those ideas tangible. Similarly, creating visual arts and reading books are entirely different practices, but the things we learn about the world, other people, and ourselves as a result of reading can inform the paintings or illustrations we create.