Re: [tlug] Install languages

[Benjamin Kowarsch <trijezdci@example.com>]

On 29 October 2015 at 02:56, Stephen J. Turnbull wrote:

 > system over the edge and unless you are a computer specialist

... You can learn enough to customize your computer 

without becoming a specialist.

A specialist is somebody who knows more and more about less and less, until finally, he or she knows everything about nothing.

So it seems it would be wiser not become one ;-)

Of course there is danger at the opposite end of the spectrum as well.

The universalist is somebody who knows less and less about more and more, until finally, he or she knows nothing about everything.

That would seem to have the same net effect.

This is also known as "Jack of all trades -- master of none".

Interestingly, there does not seem to be any equivalent derogative for specialists which is probably an indication that our society is biased in favour of -- shall we call them -- single-talented people. Despite the bias, I tend to think it ain't worth becoming a specialist ;-)

Robert A. Heinlein is credited with the quote:

“A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, and die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.”