Part 6/14:
A recurring theme was the importance of breadth over deep specialization. Mike argued that deeply siloed knowledge—while valuable—may be less relevant when machines can outperform humans in narrow domains. Instead, he advocates for polymaths—individuals who cross-pollinate ideas from disparate disciplines such as biology, engineering, and the humanities.
He pointed out that expertise should be viewed as a connector rather than a keeper of isolated knowledge. Such wide-ranging thinking fosters breakthroughs and innovation, as exemplified by pioneers like Hedy Lamarr, whose technical insights combined art and mathematics to develop early wireless tech. In the AI-driven future, adaptability and broad perspective will be critical for both individuals and organizations.