A polymath (Greek: πολυμαθής, polymathēs, “having learned much”) is a person whose expertise spans a significant number of different subject areas; such a person is known to draw on complex bodies of knowledge to solve specific problems. Other common names: scanner, renaissance soul, multipotentialite, multi-genius, generalist.
* I have 20,000 followers throughout all my online groups
* My website receives 2+ million hits a month
Life as a Polymath
I am often asked, what is a polymath? And, I’ll normally just give the textbook definition: a person of wide-ranging knowledge or learning. But, I also think, seeing is believing. After searching the internet looking for polymaths, I saw a few people talking about polymaths, but no one really showing actual skill. So, I just wanted to provide some examples to demonstrate polymathic ability.
Whether it’s electronics, computers, art, music, poetry, cooking, indoor gardening, or solar, it seems like there are just so many amazing things for me to do.
What do I do at work?
I design apps, scripts, and implement automated software and hardware solutions for tens of thousands of computers and servers around the globe. It really is the best job in the world.
Yes, I play a little piano—self-taught. I played some by ear in 2011—but I’ve recently started learning to play piano, correctly (2020..every day practice started in 2022). I’m hoping to eventually reach level 5.
I have my own science lab at home (chemistry and electronics).
Reading is Essential
I usually read 3-4 books a month.
Other things?
Other topics that interest me: working in electronics (I build gadgets as I need them), composing music (I have recently started writing my own music), sketching (I loving sketching), and every once in a while, I jot down some prose and poetry (see bottom, or my page).
I get asked this question quite a bit, and the only answer I can come up with is curiosity. I am curious about how things work (possibly why I’m an engineer?), and just how people learn to do anything, in general. So, I pursue these interests.
But, really, it started when I was young.
I grew up in Westville, Florida (pop. 221), on a farm, where I spent most of my free time learning about technology and programming on a computer. From an early age, I realized I wasn’t like other kids. I had a certain drive in my education and hobbies that my friends just didn’t have. I started off around the age of 5, where I would take Lego blocks, add my own basic electronics like motors, lights, and gears, fix the blocks where I wanted them, and glue them together. I would build all kinds of electronic, mechanical devices. For my 7th birthday, I received an Erector Set. I spent a couple of years working on the many projects that came with the kit. I also started mapping out my first circuits with the RadioShack Electronics Lab. It wasn’t too long before my dad bought me a soldering iron, and I began creating my own electronic circuits.
Just before adoption in the late 80s, I was required to take an IQ test. The test showed that I had genius-level learning ability. Shortly thereafter, I was placed into the Florida Gifted Program, glee club, and Math Superstars. I made straight A’s, participated in all math and science competitions, and ended up skipping the 5th and 8th grades (thank you, Mr. Kenneth Yates, for believing in me).
Later on, I won awards in high school mathematics and biology, two college awards in mathematics (’92 and ’93), several first place awards in high school science fairs, a grand prize high school science fair award, and racked up presidential awards in academics, in both high school and college. I think the central theme of my life has always been I love to learn. Check out my Education page.
Much of this learning ability transitioned quite well into the professional world, especially into information technology, where continued learning is an asset. Check out my Career page.
Always developing myself in computers, electronics, and piano.
How do I find the time?
Well, the simple answer is, I make time. I try to do a little bit in each area every week or so (it really adds up over the years). I reduce TV time down to an hour—or less—a day, so that helps with time. I sleep around five hours a day. I’ve always held the firm belief that the more you do, the more you can do.
Can anyone become a polymath?
I’ll say this: Aptitude drives versatility. Aptitude can be innate or cultivated. To cultivate aptitude, passion is required. Anyone who is passionate about learning can become a polymath. What does this all mean? It means, not everyone can become a polymath (nor wants to), because not everyone loves learning. Harsh? Maybe. But it’s the truth.
If you want to become a polymath, the first thing you need to do is think about some things that you’re interested in, natural inclinations. What have you always wanted to know more about? What have you always wanted to do? What inspires you? Select a couple of things, and then begin spending time researching them and completing activities that build skill in those areas. Spend a little time every day (or week) pursuing these interests. Watch what begins to happen, especially over years. Don’t worry about becoming an expert, overnight—think long-term. Ask yourself, what will this skill look like in 5 or 10 years?
Other
Favorite TV Shows: Survivor and The Amazing Race
Favorite recent TV Series: The Queen’s Gambit
Favorite Science Series: Cosmos: A Spacetime Odyssey
Favorite Book: A tie between Malcolm X and 1984
Favorite Piano Piece: Moonlight Sonata
Favorite Pastimes: Experimenting on my workbench (and reading book series)
I love all sci-fi, such as Star Trek, Star Wars, and The Expanse.
tags: Eddie Polymath, https://eddieplayspiano.com/, Eddie Jackson Piano, Eddie Jackson plays piano, Eddie Jackson pianist, Eddie Jackson is MrNetTek, Merit is Might!
And even in the trance of summer,
I would drown wasp and wolf,
and set fire to the stems of life.
And while glitter shown in my eyes,
milk and honey dripped from the heavens,
and the sonata would fill the valley.
And, though, the sands never stopped,
it was but magic and mystery in the wind,
and time never bent to the shadows.
-Eddie
The Three Kings
This is the story about the Lion, the Bear, and the Dragon. Three immortal rulers built kingdoms that touched the sky, and they ruled their vast empires with the fiery of the gods.
But, once upon a time, a bird of prey flew high, and its shadow was severe. In quest of conflict, the three immortals would fight as one. With bow in hand, the beasts shot a flaming arrow through the heart of royal feather. The bird would fall into ashes, and into the stillness of its past.
From concert and accord, the mighty titans returned to their kingdoms. The three great beasts, who wore three black crowns, learned to wield might and magic that could split the very essence of life, and crack heavens and earth.
Through fate, cast in destiny, the Lion, the Bear, and the Dragon would live as gods among men. But, their eternal forms were restless and their thoughts full of chaos. In their kingdoms, high in their castles, the three monstrous creatures would hoard providence and fortune, to cleave hope from spirit, soul from man.
The starkness of truth was set in tears of blood.
All that there was, all that there is, and all that there will ever be, is theirs until the end of time.
-Eddie
World War 2
Day and night, devils and diamonds fell from the sky
the passion of suffering was all gold could buy
Mechanical monsters and masters of fate,
both heaven and hell would endure their weight
There in the darkness of stumps and stones
lay the souls of the damned, in ash and bones
Through smoke and fire, victory would wake
in the end, 50 million it would take
