Bobby Wilson

I have been thinking about what I would do if I wasn’t a developer. What would be my next professional calling? The only other careers I can think of is related to computers. If you take away possible computer related careers, I don’t even know what I would choose next. Probably something with Math or Science. I wouldn’t know where to start. I feel like I am so down the path of a computer-related professional that if for some reason there wasn’t computers anymore I would probably have to go back to school to learn something else. I don’t think this will happen for the record but thinking about this did help me realize that I want to be a more well-rounded human. I have interests outside of doing things on the computer, but they are very low on my list of priorities. My new goal is to work towards the “Renaissance ideal”.

The Renaissance Ideal differed slightly from the “Polymath” in that it involved more than just intellectual advancement. Historically (roughly 1450-1600) it represented a person who endeavored to “develop his capacities as fully as possible” (Britannica, “Renaissance Man”) both mentally and physically. Being an accomplished athlete was considered integral and not separate from education and learning of the highest order. Example: Leon Battista Alberti, who was an architect, painter, poet, scientist, mathematician, inventor, sculptor, and also a skilled horseman and archer.¹

It seems like everyone is a specialist and when someone does claim that they can do many things well it’s hard to not think that they must not be amazing at one of them. I think the most common answer to why we aren’t polymaths these days is that we don’t have the time. Our day-to-day pace is so fast now that can’t really tell one week from the next. In the world of technology especially, release times are getting much shorter, and I think it is something that is irreversible. Try telling a client that instead of the six week time line, you are going to double that and that they won’t get any thing extra you are just slowing down your pace. I don’t think they will take kindly.

I want to take a step back from my day-to-day cycle and do something “for the art of it”. Probably with something I know nothing about, like physical computing, or woodworking. Something that inspires the craft in me to take my time and do something awesome. It might take me six months, or a year, maybe two years. Pulling myself out of what I am comfortable with helps me gain new perspective on the stuff I am comfortable with. Maybe when I am done with that, I will draw up a complete architectural drawing of my ideal house. Some may see this as time wasted, but I see doing the same thing over and over is time wasted.

My challenge to you (the three or four of you that read this), is to put your usual aside and be a novice in something you think is interesting, but have never done.

fn1:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polymath

Introduction

One of the most difficult things to do as a person who makes things (websites, art, logos, applications, bird houses) is putting your project out for the world. It is hard because it is never quite where you want it to be, and you don’t want people to think you’re a hack.

Anonymity

No one has to know that it is you who made created project x. Pseudonyms have been around forever, authors use them all the time. It’s no big deal, half the time people are more interested in the work than who actually created it. So worse comes to worse you stay anonymous.

Feedback

I think one of the best ways to improve a project is to get constructive feedback and critiques. The early you get used to receiving feedback the easier it will get. It will also help you build confidence in what you do because a lot of your feedback will be positive. It’s a great deal in my opinion, the negative feedback you use to improve your project and the positive feedback will build your confidence.

Recognition

How are people supposed to notice you if you keep everything private? The more public you are about your work the more likely you are to be recognized. It will also open a bunch of opportunities for you. You could win an award, or land your dream job. One of the reasons that I started this blog was to open up a channel into my thoughts and opinions for the public.

Outside Involvement

If you are looking for participation on your project publicly releasing it is a great way to attract fellow enthusiasts. This also ties in some of the previous topics. When your little project grows into a community driven project, you will definitely be happy to be the source of all of the recognition.

Unfinished? No problem.

Even if your project isn’t completed. You can always put it out there as something that is in “beta”, or a “work in progress”. This helps if you are stuck somewhere or don’t know which direction you want to take your project in. There are plenty of people in every industry that will be willing to give you feedback if you ask for it.

Conclusion

If you are new to something, you get it out there, and it doesn’t go as well as planned. No big deal, it will just be an indicator of progress next time you release something. Experts in their fields have tons of early work that is laughable to them now.

“An expert is a person who has made all the mistakes that can be made in a very narrow field.” — Neils Bohr