Polymaths and Aspergers

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Recently since my diagnosis, I've been doing research into relevant AS/Autism spectrum orders (i don't call them disorders) and working on a tangent came across a list of famous polymaths.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_polymaths

For those who don't know exactly, a polymath/polyhistor is essentially a person who achieves a level of quantifiable success in multilateral fields ie science, law, sport, languages, art et al

More than likely a remnant term from the days of lordships, essentially it doesn't necessarily describe those who are genius (although of course, they can be), more so it reflects upon their broad interests. Popular examples include Leonardo Di Vinci (sculptor/engineer/artist/physician/writer), Archimedes (philosopher/engineer/mathematician/physicist) and Benjamin Franklin (politician/writer/inventor/physicist).

It is stated that Aspergian's excell in a focused field of excellence when they choose to undertake an investigation such as the history of Belgian stamps for example, but as a person with a high quality visual quantitative memory but not eidetic, I find that although I am a specialist in several fields, I am also a generalist/trivialist about a variety of subjects.

Most of my life I have been unsure as how to spend my time as I am always involved in an array of diverse subjects, although each with a relevant level of focused attention. But mainly, I have felt extremely bad that I have never been able to say that: "I want to be a fireman" and mean it because I've always known I couldn't be content with only that. But now I am coming to realise that perhaps there maybe Aspergians similar to myself who are involved in a plethora of studies/occupations/interests. If this is the case, it might help others if we discuss how that non-conformity affects ourselves emotionally. I for one have always felt... well, rather ashamed, that I couldn't just be like everyone else and work 9-5, 5 days a week. I know it's a bad attitude but that said, I really don't know what other people are thinking.

It helped me greatly to compile a list of fields that I excel in as a polymath as that is how I now see myself. Feel free to add your own if you have ever thought similarly, it does make yourself feel validated. It's not an ego thing mind you, it's just about understanding that you don't have to go your whole life being John the fireman.

For myself:
* Engineer - Bachelors Deg.
* Writer/Essayist/Poet/Literature/Novelist - Published books
* Film Director/Screenwriter - Produced
* Musician - Composer/Drums/Guitar/Bass/Synth - Performed/Recorded released
* Philosopher - Published
* Disc Jockey - Broadcast Radio
* Backgammon Player - quasi-pro
* Texas Hold-em Player - quasi-pro

give it a go yourself if you feel it suits you at all

I've done broadcast radio for about 25 years...I'm not a polywatchamadinger...more of a rennaisance kinda dude who enjoys cooking (did so on a ship for a living), poetry (published),
satirist and sitarist (Indian music for personal pleasure). I also do art; taking those clear plastic women's bathing suit forms and festooning them with a variety of painted on characteristics and sometimes anatomically correct, but abstract, features.

I thought I was the only one! It's very debatable what I might do after high school, but it's probably going to be either Music Technology or something computer related (probably maintenance).

Computers- Haven't found my niche yet, but am interested in maintenance and/or programming.

Music - Play Tuba and Baritone. Clasical music is a very non-lucrative field, and I play fairly expensive instruments. Might learn and get an accordion for free next summer!

Music - I can sing! I might try forming a band this year, but what genre it's going to be well be next to impossible for me to determine.

Writing - Poetry, some good stuff. Got published in yearly writing magazine in my high school this year.

Writing - Webcomic scripts. I don't have an artist, so I don't do it very often.

Writing/Music - I also write the occasional song, and can improv some fairly basic rhythms on my electrical piano. It's more of a way of venting though.

Culinary Arts - I enjoy cooking and I'm pretty good, but am always low on funds. Dreams of combining Cajun, Chinese, and Mexican foods.Cajeseican or Chixicanjun.

Critic - I always thought I could make a good critic for food and music. I analyze a lot.

Drama - I can also act, it's been a while. Once I'm 18, I'm going to start auditioning at my local theatre.

Tech (Stage) - I've worked/programmed stage lights before. Once I get refreshed, it's a second nature. Also good at sound tech and the like.

I have lots of interest, but I don't exactly know if I'm any good at them. As you can see, most are in the arts. I've noticed a lot of AS'ers are either computer people, or arts people. Anyone else notice this?

As for me, I'm a student of the Orange County High School of the Arts for my writing, and I've always enjoyed all the arts (drama, vocal and instrumental music, visual arts, etc.), even though I'm not very good at any of them. The direction my college education is going to be in the realm of theoretical particle physics, although other plausible majors could be in psychology, mathematics, literature, Japanese language, political science, etc., all of which I've shown interest and ability in, but cannot cram into a college education.

I tend to have equal interest in both the arts and the sciences, but demonstrate far more ability in any and all things involving logic and analysis. And, admittedly, I know I could never be a therapist with my current state of mind, as although the subject of psychology fascinates me, I cannot conceive a career for myself devoted to solving the problems internal and external with such irrational creatures as this human species, which, admittedly, I share an equal irrationality in common with. A clue to my better performance in the sciences is perhaps hinted at by the fact that I often speak in sequences of thought reminiscent of geometric proofs...minus the geometry unless, of course, I am dealing with geometry.

I suppose I am.

If I actually tried at school I could have gotten top at Biology, Graqphic Design, and could have done alot better at English.

My family has always called me an "all rounder" although as i've gotten older my maths ability has been decreasing.

Science and Art are two things I'm very good at.

Yes.

-Poetry Writing (beginning to send work out to journals)
-Art (2-D like drawing and painting. Not so good with Sculpture or Ceramics)
-Psychology (more specifically Abnoraml Psych and Neuropsych. Was lucky to grow up around psychology)
-the sciences in general

My undergraduate majors have basically fluctuated between these categories, except for Art which I had intended to major in throughout high school and was known in my school as the resident artist. Upon revisiting my HS, I met with my art teacher and she was very angry that I had (at the time) decided to major in Psychology instead.

I would like, some day, to have a small well-ventilated studio in my house so I could paint. Currently, my apartment isn't ventilated enough to handle the fumes from the terpentine.

Edit: I'm also good at accents and have an ear for some languages that I've tried so far, such as French and German. I learn them perhaps a little faster than most but this is due to my being able to visually memorize grammar tables and vocabulary lists very easily. But spontaneous conversation in either of those languages is like pulling teeth for me, because I have to think of something off the top of my head AND translate it. Ugh.

I've often thought of myself as a "Jill of All Trades", but I like the word "polymath".

For my bit:
Music - I play the cello, bass, some guitar and drums, and used to play the trombone, tympani, and baritone.

Languages - I'm minoring in Spanish and may turn it into a second major. I'm good at it, and I also enjoy it..

Math - I'm not a big fan of calculus, but I do enjoy geometry and statistics (graphs are fun...). I also do calculations in my head that many people need a calculator for.

Political Science - I'm majoring in this. It's a typical major for aspiring lawyers, but I would be majoring in it even if I weren't going to law school.

Visual Art - I excel at handcrafts such as jewelry-making, crochet, and embroidery, as well as drawing.

Most people have more than one hobby; but, to be a polymath, one has to have acknowledged talent in many areas (perhaps three at a minimum). A polymath does not necessarily have to be a genius in these areas, but polymath is generally reserved only for those who have demonstrated a contributing skill to multiple unrelated disciplines. Less formally, one can be a jack of all trades if one has ability in numerous areas.

I have sometimes romanticized the word polymath to myself, aspiring to become one; yet I doubt I have come anywhere near that so far. I have some ability in many areas, but I don't think the talent has yet risen to the point of qualifying me as a polymath.

I have some ability with troubleshooting Windows computers, Web design and development, and the French language. I like to engage in philosophical discussion and occasionally read philosophy (although I admit most of the philosophy I've read was tedious). I'm also interested in geography, history, psychology, and politics.

Addendum to my last post:


I neglected to mention my trumpet playing and for awhile I played bass in a band with the father of a founding member of At The Drive-In, the band that spawned Sparta and The Mars Volta. I also dig photography.

I do not know if I can be classified as a polymath. I am quite good at music, I good at maths, science and history. I am also good with philosophy and politics and religion.

I'm good at complaining about politics.

I'd be big-headed to call myself a polymath, but I lean that way. I'm told I pick up languages very easily, I can play musical instruments (have played in a band), picked up a maths degree with no work at all, have a well paid job in software engineering and read widely. Strangely, I cannot ride a bike or catch a ball, and am particularly bad at DIY.

My eldest brother is a real polymath. He has been an internationally respected astrophysicist for most of his career. He speaks many languages. One of his post-grad students in Germany asked him how come he spoke English with a northern accent - the student had not realised he was not German. He has sung in top classical choirs, alongside professionals. He has also worked in software, getting to the top before having to give it up because of stress. He is the most widely read person I know, and has been active in politics. He has also worked teaching English to foreign businessmen and academics.

I would hesitate to use the term polymath about myself but it's certainly true that I'm fairly versatile and skilled in a number of areas:

always been very literate, reading way above my age and I have a degree in English Literature; I've written stories, poems etc that people really like

been to art school briefly and was considered to have talent considerably above normal - I can draw, paint and sculpt very well; I briefly considered going into teaching art history as that was a passion for a long time and I have an Adult Education Teacher's Certificate

bit of a flair for performing arts, acting etc

I play several instruments ( guitar since age 14, mandolin, and recently saz) and sing: I write and record songs and music (currently working on an album and hawking demos around the place)

I cook very well, was the manager of an organic vegetarian cafe for a while

worked many years as a landscape gardener - I can lay patios and paths, build fences etc and I used to know a lot about plants although much of that has gone now through lack of use

I once converted a Dodge van into a mobile home, complete with wood-burning stove etc

I have extensive knowledge and experience of various types of religion and spirituality

I also know a lot about mental illness - schizophrenia, bi-polar etc ( especially interested in the links with the point above)

unfortunately the polymath thing falls down on a few counts: I'm rubbish at maths, science, computers and anything of that sort; not very good at intellectual arguments such as philosophy; and I've pretty much totally failed to make a contribution to any of the fields mentioned above in terms of getting published and publically known. Most of it has taken place within the confines of my own world or in various low level and under-achieving ways. I think motivation has always been a problem for me.

My parents once came back from an open evening at my school and one of my teachers had said of me: 'He's got the best mind in the school if only he'd start to use it'.