Excerpts from the Notebooks of Lazarus Long
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, analyse a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
— Robert Heinlein, Time enough for Love
Specialization is for insects
1. Change a diaper
When things get messy, or uncomfortable, generalists are the ones who get called to clean things up, make things comfortable.
2. Plan an invasion
Generalists think strategically, they consider various factors, they see the interconnectedness and can adapt and change amid a changing landscape.
3. Butcher a hog
You need sharp tools and expert knowledge, when you tackle monstrosities.
We can only dissect and work sensibly when we practice our craft.
4. Conn a ship
A generalist’s knowledge about different tools, adapting to different situations and effective communications help them accomplish tasks.
5. Design a building
Designers, make friends with engineers. Engineers, make friends with Designers.
Architects, walk between the people
6. Write a sonnet
Creativity and balancing structure, and great attention to detail and a sensitive disposition are all great traits.
7. Balance accounts
The mind of an entrepreneur
Your own business
Waste not, want not
Be proud
Pay it forward
Triple Entry Accounting
8. Build a wall
Boundaries are important
Keep the distractions out
Being a generalist takes time
You still need focus
9. Set a bone
Heal, don’t harm
Stabilise what is broken
10. Comfort the dying
Be elegant in your code
Be kind in your words
Communities that wither
Bring them into the new tech
11. Take orders
Be humble,
Seek to learn from everyone
Choose the most respectful interpretation – always.
12. Give orders
Giving orders and teaching, coaching or mentoring is only possible if you stay open to learn, and with an open heart and mind.
13. Cooperate
See where your voice can find the harmony.�You may find it better as a generalist to sing in harmony than solo.
14. Act alone
Generalist can rely on their connections and experience to work independently, as they rely on a vast range of skills.
15. Solve equations
Know how to use the tools
Understand the fundamentals
Take long to learn but build deep understanding
16. Analyse new problems
Stay abreast and curious
There is always something to solve
17. Pitch manure
The new and shiny does not last. Laying a foundation is hard
It is messy
It is not sexy work
18. Program a Computer
Program or be programmed
ChatGPT is not a programmer
It is not (yet) generally intelligent.
Use your intelligence and learn the fundamentals
19. Cook a meal
Be social
Have friends over
Consult the coding cookbooks
Eat healthy
Live and learn
People and real connections are your strengths
20. Fight Efficiently
Be patient
Don’t burn out
Energise
Rejuvenate
Take your time
Learn
Teach
21. Die gallantly
See the bigger picture
Adapt to change
Step away from an old passion
Learn to say goodbye
Specialisation is for insects
The stories we tell and listen to
What can I teach today?�What can I learn today?�Am I adding value?
Is there time enough for love?
Further Reading
Thank You