If you spend 10 years studying philosophers, you will think and
speak and come up with ideas like a philosopher does. You've
gained one-field worldview and you will likely interpret all you
see and think through this singular lens. But you also learned
something from work. There's this one guy that really pisses you
off and you don't know why. You try to philosophize about it,
but the mold doesn't fit. It's outside of the Universe of
philosophy. Its pissing you off and you can't put your finger on
it. Specialization is *useful* but it won't make you a
generalist,- which is I think what* is referring to. You have to
bring it all together. Often it becomes a "gut" feeling - an
intuition. Rationalizing can only take you so far, Although it
can take you VERY far in a particular direction - it does not
take you in all directions. === I hope you do write children's
books. I love learning but for me, the real pleasure is in
explaining it to others in a form that they can grasp. I
challenge myself to talk to people who are more intelligent in
particular areas than me; I try to be smart among people I
consider smarter so that I can grow. But most of the time, I
prefer translating my thoughts into different forms, depending
on the audience. I don't expect people to think-like-me or have
the same background. I like a diverse set of backgrounds to talk
to. I try to keep my writing at about a 6th grade level most of
the time for that reason. I've found few ideas that CAN'T be
talked about in that way, even if it requires a few more words
or analogies. = I really hope you pursue it. I'm a huge believer
in encouraging kids to be creative and express themselves,
rather than waiting for some magical point where they're then
'allowed a voice'. To me, it doesn't matter if 10,000 people
said what they've said before. It's new to them. It matters to
them. That's the thing I like to encourage as well. == My heart
emoticon is with you Shane. For me, learning never ends and
everybody's my teacher. You've taught me. James has taught me.
I've never met somebody that didn't teach me SOMETHING or at
least remind me of something I'd forgotten about. =- That's how
I see things too. Just today, my 3.5 yr old niece came out and
asked why we add sticks to the campfire. [we have a campfire
circle in our backyard] I had to think quick - how to explain?
Then it came to me: The fire eats sticks. She got it. ==
