“Scientists and members of the general public are about equally likely to have artistic hobbies, but scientists inducted into the highest national academies are much more likely to have avocations outside of their vocation. And those who won the Nobel Prize are more likely still. Nationally recognized scientists are much more likely than other scientists to be musicians, sculptors, painters, printmakers, woodworkers, mechanics, electronic tinkerers, glassblowers, poets, or writers, of both fiction and non-fiction. And again, Nobel laureates are far more likely still. The most successful experts also belong to the wider world. … it appears as though they are scattering and dissipating their energies, while in reality they are channeling and strengthening them.”
by David Epstein, in Range
I found this passage rather vindicating. We are so often told to do only one thing. Focus, specialize, we are told.
In my current profession as a Christian Science Practitioner, to be “Journal-listed” (i.e. to advertise internally to church members in the church periodicals) this work must be the only thing you do. They call it “leaving all for Christ.” I did leave having my own structural engineering firm to do this work, but I could never leave off being an artist or writing poetry, because it is too inherent in who I am. So I kept my authenticity, and don’t advertise, and trust word of mouth to get clients, which has worked now for 29 years. I do better work being a whole person. After reading the quote above, I am moved to wonder if the Christian Science movement as a whole might have been better served by, as the quote says, having our experts “also belong to the wider world.” I know that because I do other things (like art and this blog) I meet people and share what I do in a way that wouldn’t have been possible if I did not. Furthermore, this has enabled my practice to include more of the public and not just church members. I am also healthier and happier, and that sustains the work in a way I would wish for anyone.
When I started this blog, people again told me it had to be about one thing. We are still here all those years later, and it feeds us all better, being about a range of things.
Another example, as an abstract artist, I do better work cross-pollinating in some plein air landscape work, and as a pastellist, I do better also painting sometimes in oil or doing monoprint collages.
Do you feel more healthy, more whole, more authentic, doing a variety of things? When are we going to shed all this pressure to put our blinders on and specialize?
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