The Future of Work: Specialists vs Generalists

Get the book: amzn.to/2njcN6v
--David Epstein, author of "Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World" and "The Sports Gene," joins David to discuss changes to our employment circumstances
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Broadcast on July 15, 2019

[@SAM-ft9jd]

David I'm glad you've started focusing on Automation more. Sometimes it feels as if our side of the political spectrum seems indifferent to this. It bothers me, it reminds me of the indifference first received by most people when Al gore started preaching about Climate Change. It's obvious we have to start working on this.

[@Milanvaneijk]

Tribalism is the real issue. I see it more clearly now but it took me a while. I am so glad that Pakman is remaining sane. Even secular talk has now joined the party and has started to change his content.

[@gearhead1302]

@@Milanvaneijk I'm curious also about what you said about Kyle. And I agree with you that Pakman stays true to himslef.

[@thelifeofdavidq2613]

I agree!

[@jumpman1823]

@@Milanvaneijk Yes please elaborate because Kyle looks sane to me lol

[@franciscodiaz3028]

I liked this content actually. Keep it coming on more content like this.

[@erllar2980]

Jack of all trades will always have one of the valuable places in society. On top of their skills they are typically great teachers as well

[@theQuestion626]

That's what I've never understood about this Obsession that Americans seem to have nowadays with the trades. Trades are important store academics many Tradesmen I know can't think abstractly let alone teach; they live in a very black-and-white world that if something doesn't fits with their field of expertise it is somehow irrelevant.

[@ftlpunk]

This gives me hope. I'm a musician turned audio engineer turned realtor turned screenwriter/director/producer.

[@MaJoRMJR]

I started my own business as a web designer, I branched out into social media, into compiling data into website administration, into graphic design, into video editing, and now do zero web design (there's no money in it at the low level) and focus on providing a range of services that could make me a bit of money here a bit of money there. Being flexible is how I survive.

[@TheDevilsAdvocate.]

I’ve always been a Jacque of all trades, master of none. It’s how I like it, I love knowing how everything works, not in massive detail but rather just a good understanding. I need those specialists though, because they’re the ones that’ll help you achieve that understanding.

[@erllar2980]

I think Jack of all trades are the most valuable people we have in our society. Not only can they take care of most problems they are willing to take on new ones because of the joy they get from learning something new. They also make great teachers and role models 👍

[@monkeydotbizness]

Reinvent= Go back to college yet again when you're inevitably kicked to the curb by a technological or industry disruption that you have no say in or ability to predict. Then if you manage succeed you start at the bottom of the heap for an amount of pay that you probably will not be able to afford, especially after having to goto college again. The technological debt slavery gauntlet.

[@dennis-qu7bs]

Superb interview, Davids!

[@shawnspann6844]

Good conversation/interview. Very informative

[@justifiably_stupid4998]

Very good video. It answers a question that i have been asking myself more and more lately.

[@PacRimElectric]

Great book! Lots of fun tidbits. Facts, and storirs

[@thelifeofdavidq2613]

FANTASTIC INTERVIEW!!!!

[@sambringit7859]

Good for David to call such folks who impart knowledge quite different from daily politics ........this channel is actually knowledge

[@SCBS188]

This was really interesting!

[@zhubajie6940]

The price of education is rising and yet we require more education more frequently. Almost all these costs are borne by the employee, not the employer who increasing benefits most (the productivity gap issue) again an externality of businesses that is paid by others.

[@rayyanghayas1243]

An insightful session.

[@enoshsubba5875]

Great Content 👌

[@Milanvaneijk]

Pakman, you are doing the right thing. The demonetization sucks but you are really creating your own lane here. I'm assuming your call with Weinstein has helped with this. Please continue with what you are doing, and embrace nuance, long-form & critical thinking where others are not, or even losing it more and more. Tribalism seems to only have an escalating & toxic effect dividing us further & further, and we need the opposite right now. Especially now.

[@Caitlin_TheGreat]

If we don't do something about capitalism, full automation is just going to make the lives of the average citizen miserable and desperate (more so than is currently the case), while the ownership class will reap all the rewards. As always. It _should_ be that with automation comes the realization that having to work away one's life in service to some rich person is stupid and unnecessary. If tasks can be automated, then we should all benefit from that, rather than just the people who've stolen and hoarded all the wealth. This discussion of "generalist versus specialist" is about what lengths we'll have to go through in order to get capitalists to allow us to sell our lives for the pittance necessary to survive. How much extra work will we need to do in order to get paid the same or less? Instead of being thrown to the street to die? Right? Isn't that the underlying threat to the question of generalist or specialist?

[@theQuestion626]

I think would also needs to be addressed is that the concept of automation was to make our lives easier instead of his done the opposite we work harder than ever for longer hours for Less pay.

[@erbyenbe6586]

I dont think generalists vs specialists has anything to do with that to be honest

[@TannerCLynn]

very interesting

[@tapiwakay]

A healthy balanced diet that includes all of the above will do.

[@lematindesmagiciens8764]

It's nice to hear that generalists have a bright future. Then, we may ask, why are recruiters all listing specialized skills in their requirements for a job? During a job interview, a generalist might be having a harder time selling himself. Any constructive comments about this observation?

[@Caitlin_TheGreat]

My understanding is that the fellow interpreted "generalist" to be someone with _several_ areas of specialization. So someone who has several degrees rather than one, for instance. In other words, more and more ultimately useless hoops to jump through to do relatively simple jobs. And the entry level jobs one would currently use to springboard upward (gaining the various specialty skills to be a generalist) will likely all be automated away.

[@wendell7173]

*I am a HR Generalist. You have to have soft skills and some basic technical skills; for example, IT and help desk.*

[@cynthiamontgomery1192]

Good stuff. Me likey.

[@shaleel]

It's been awhile since this has happened to me, but within 10 seconds I knew I'd be an instant fan of this guy forever. I'd heard about his work from a sports stance previously, but applying it to other industries and markets is essentially hardcore pornography for me

[@FerroNeoBoron]

3:56 Don't tell Kyle

[@Dsworddance22]

*drinks monster and punches drywall*

[@SAM-ft9jd]

Get more experience guys! I think writing is one skill one needs to learn in the few coming years. Ideas will be the currency of the future, and the ability to convey these ideas will become more and more necessary.

[@jarenc2048]

Right. Writing can’t be automated.

[@davidbeaulieu4815]

@@jarenc2048 it already has

[@frey8078]

I think it’s less about general versus special and more about hard logic (math) versus fluid logic (philosophy)

[@frey8078]

Robotics has focused and is based in pretty set code currently so while yes it’s possible to innovate it’s not what robotics excel in

[@jarenc2048]

I’m a writer, that can’t be automated. I’m trying to become a medical auditor. Graduated last year and going to get certified. I don’t know if that will be automated but it could I suppose.

[@davidbeaulieu4815]

Actually that's already been automated. It's not selling books yet mostly because the creators of the AI that does it haven't tried to but yes computers are writing books now.

[@SAM-ft9jd]

I think what matters is the depth of your content. AI may provide generic content, however build your abilities as a writer and you will definitely do well in the coming years

[@DoggoStudio]

Steve Jobs, Jeff Bezos, Teddy Roosevelt, Andrew Carnegie, Isaac Asimov, Leonardo Da Vinci, Van Goph, I can go on and on. The greatest minds in the world have been generalists, not specialists.

[@JaBarge303]

Steve jobs lol 😂 “greatest minds of the world”

[@theQuestion626]

Jeff Bezos is certainly not one of "The greatest minds"

[@theQuestion626]

Neither is Carnegie. just because a man is wealthy doesn't mean he's a brilliant contribution for society. Carnegie Bezos and jobs are not in the same room as Van Gogh DaVinci and Roosevelt I'd like to point out to.

[@JaBarge303]

@@Crow_Calypso he started the whole company with very little computing knowledge just screwed over his buddy

[@SusanDianeHowell]

"And it came to pass that the days of Ether were in the days of Coriantumr; and Coriantumr was king over all the land. And Ether was a prophet of the Lord; wherefore Ether came forth in the days of Coriantumr, and began to prophesy unto the people, for he could not be restrained because of the Spirit of the Lord which was in him. For he did cry from the morning, even until the going down of the sun, exhorting the people to believe in God unto repentance lest they should be destroyed, saying unto them that by faith all things are fulfilled-Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God. And it came to pass that Ether did prophesy great and marvelous things unto the people, which they did not believe, because they saw them not. And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith. For it was by faith that Christ showed himself unto our fathers, after he had risen from the dead; and he showed not himself unto them until after they had faith in him; wherefore, it must needs be that some had faith in him, for he showed himself not unto the world. But because of the faith of men he has showed himself unto the world, and glorified the name of the Father, and prepared a way that thereby others might be partakers of the heavenly gift, that they might hope for those things which they have not seen. Wherefore, ye may also have hope, and be partakers of the gift, if ye will but have faith. Behold it was by faith that they of old were called after the holy order of God. Wherefore, by faith was the law of Moses given. But in the gift of his Son hath God prepared a more excellent way; and it is by faith that it hath been fulfilled. For if there be no faith among the children of men God can do no miracle among them; wherefore, he showed not himself until after their faith. Behold, it was the faith of Alma and Amulek that caused the prison to tumble to the earth. Behold, it was the faith of Nephi and Lehi that wrought the change upon the Lamanites, that they were baptized with fire and with the Holy Ghost. Behold, it was the faith of Ammon and his brethren which wrought so great a miracle among the Lamanites. Yea, and even all they who wrought miracles wrought them by faith, even those who were before Christ and also those who were after. And it was by faith that the three disciples obtained a promise that they should not taste of death; and they obtained not the promise until after their faith. And neither at any time hath any wrought miracles until after their faith; wherefore they first believed in the Son of God. And there were many whose faith was so exceedingly strong, even before Christ came, who could not be kept from within the veil, but truly saw with their eyes the things which they had beheld with an eye of faith, and they were glad. And behold, we have seen in this record that one of these was the brother of Jared; for so great was his faith in God, that when God put forth his finger he could not hide it from the sight of the brother of Jared, because of his word which he had spoken unto him, which word he had obtained by faith. And after the brother of Jared had beheld the finger of the Lord, because of the promise which the brother of Jared had obtained by faith, the Lord could not withhold anything from his sight; wherefore he showed him all things, for he could no longer be kept without the veil. And it is by faith that my fathers have obtained the promise that these things should come unto their brethren through the Gentiles; therefore the Lord hath commanded me, yea, even Jesus Christ. And I said unto him: Lord, the Gentiles will mock at these things, because of my weakness in writing; for Lord thou hast made us mighty in word by faith, but thou hast not made us mighty in writing; for thou hast made all this people that they could speak much, because of the Holy Ghost which thou hast given them; And thou hast made us that we could write but little, because of the awkwardness of our hands. Behold, thou hast not made us mighty in writing like unto the brother of Jared, for thou madest him that the things which he wrote were mighty even as thou art, unto the overpowering of man to read them. Thou hast also made our words powerful and great, even that we cannot write them; wherefore, when we write we behold our weakness, and stumble because of the placing of our words; and I fear lest the Gentiles shall mock at our words. And when I had said this, the Lord spake unto me, saying: Fools mock, but they shall mourn; and my grace is sufficient for the meek, that they shall take no advantage of your weakness; And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things strong unto them. Behold, I will show unto the Gentiles their weakness, and I will show unto them that faith, hope and charity bringeth unto me-the fountain of all righteousness. And I, Moroni, having heard these words, was comforted, and said: O Lord, thy righteous will be done, for I know that thou workest unto the children of men according to their faith; For the brother of Jared said unto the mountain Zerin, Remove-and it was removed. And if he had not faith it would not have moved; wherefore thou workest after men have faith. For thus didst thou manifest thyself unto thy disciples; for after they had faith, and did speak in thy name, thou didst show thyself unto them in great power. And I also remember that thou hast said that thou hast prepared a house for man, yea, even among the mansions of thy Father, in which man might have a more excellent hope; wherefore man must hope, or he cannot receive an inheritance in the place which thou hast prepared. And again, I remember that thou hast said that thou hast loved the world, even unto the laying down of thy life for the world, that thou mightest take it again to prepare a place for the children of men. And now I know that this love which thou hast had for the children of men is charity; wherefore, except men shall have charity they cannot inherit that place which thou hast prepared in the mansions of thy Father. Wherefore, I know by this thing which thou hast said, that if the Gentiles have not charity, because of our weakness, that thou wilt prove them, and take away their talent, yea, even that which they have received, and give unto them who shall have more abundantly. And it came to pass that I prayed unto the Lord that he would give unto the Gentiles grace, that they might have charity. And it came to pass that the Lord said unto me: If they have not charity it mattereth not unto thee, thou hast been faithful; wherefore, thy garments shall be made clean. And because thou hast seen thy weakness thou shalt be made strong, even unto the sitting down in the place which I have prepared in the mansions of my Father. And now I, Moroni, bid farewell unto the Gentiles, yea, and also unto my brethren whom I love, until we shall meet before the judgment-seat of Christ, where all men shall know that my garments are not spotted with your blood. And then shall ye know that I have seen Jesus, and that he hath talked with me face to face, and that he told me in plain humility, even as a man telleth another in mine own language, concerning these things; And only a few have I written, because of my weakness in writing. And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen." - Ether 12:1-41, The Book of Mormon

[@fernikolic]

You should get your feet wet in different places, and it is exactly that unique combination of experiences that makes the specialist. So calling them "Generalists" is not accurate. But agree 100% with the approach.

[@pbfreespace3134]

Here is the perfect article about this exact topic, talking about how a new Navy ship is showing how work is changing: www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2019/07/future-of-work-expertise-navy/590647/

[@1stLtDavis]

Automation is misunderstood by many, and its used as a distraction by some. In reality, automation creates jobs. More production and customer care capabilities back in the 90s meant more work, not less. Even call centers are larger now than a decade ago

[@theQuestion626]

But automation was in theory supposed to make our lives Easier. By your own statement that has not happened. So we have jobs so what? Wage stagnation has been a rampant problem in America for almost four decades as wages have barely budged while the cost of living has gone through the roof

[@suzydixon4930]

2006 to 2016, call center jobs grew by 26 percent Because of automation. Automation means more efficiently doing business and thus doing more business. That means more customer care and repairs etc etc. automation creates more work.

[@TheContrariann]

Someone Please tell David Epstein to STOP 🛑 giving the Tiger Woods example, WE ARE FED UP of it 😑

[@TheKorggen]

#Yang2020

[@nwgverified]

#Bernie2020

[@Landofjello]

bullshit. I'm a generalist, but it's much harder to find a job because companies want a worker with deep skiils in one field so you can be a cog in their machine.

[@123sheag]

did this guy just say if you are studying chess moves by the time you are 12 you have a 1/4 chance of being an international grand master, then drop to 1/55 if you didnt study chess moves? wow those are really good odds 1:41

[@rngwrm]

jack of all trades, master of none, because why bother?

[@Justin5s]

Please Just have Yang on the show.

[@yassamassa]

Epstein? 🤔

[@catpyjamas]

Did you really need to invite an epstein at this time?

[@gringadoor5385]

Do you think the tens of thousands of people with the name Epstein should just hide in a cave because by chance someone with the same name is a pedo?

[@davidbeaulieu4815]

@@gringadoor5385 no but if I was one of them I would be sorely tempted to change my name

[@belstar1128]

Its not his fault his uncle is a creep.

[@georgedarkrender388]

F i r s t

[@rebeccamcphink4625]

What an unfortunate last name

[@blue03r6]

well the $15/hr club is quickly turning the specialist into a generalist. min wage jobs are not to be used to live on. get an education, learn a trade. that's how this works people. you're wanting equivalent pay for mindless jobs as people that learned a trade and buy their own tools and work vehicles.

[@theQuestion626]

And how exactly are they going to pay for this education with low-wage jobs? Your simplistic approach to this topic demonstrates to me you don't know what you're talking about. Education be at trades or Academia is very expensive and frankly a lot of employers will not pay for education or even give you the time required to gain that education for that special field. Not to mention the trades are not exactly at guaranteed field a lot about of work Tradesmen from state-to-state especially if they are older.

[@theQuestion626]

Oh and I would like to point out to you that these jobs that you think are Mindless? They really aren't. They require a lot of thinking to address a lot of changing variables from day-to-day life. True a lot of the job can be mundane but that does not mean that it is "mindless". Take warehouse work for example. You need to move it a very quick Pace in order to address certain problems be at pick packing repacking loading trucks or unloading trucks this requires a lot of forward planning pacing and ability to adapt to changing conditions. essentially these jobs that you look down upon? They are essential to the function of society. Garbage man? What would happen if we didn't have them? Or School custodians for that matter? Public or private schools would be shut down for health violations without custodians.

[@blue03r6]

@@theQuestion626 you're not talking about real min wage jobs. I am. I'm talking about jobs at mcdonalds etc. they're mindless and anyone with a 5th grade education can do them. hence why min wage jobs are min wage because they don't require skills or thinking to do them. I'm sorry but a kid working a cash register at a fast food place doesn't deserve $15/hr when guys working as plumbers, hvac, electricians and construction and mechanics only make $12 to start and $16 to $20 with 10 years experience. do you think it's fair to them that some 16 year old kid gets to make $15/hr for handing out fries and burgers? when the gov says min wage is $15 from $7 something, then all of these trades jobs should demand an $8 hr raise too. you think it's expensive to have a new furnace put in now by a guy making $20/hr, just wait till they all make $28 and 30. you will need a bank loan for a furnace install. if one group of people get to magically have an $8hr raise for doing mindless work then the skill people deserve a $15hr and hour RAISE. as for the jobs you are talking about they're garbage jobs too. sorry but if they require you to do that much work they should be paying a lot more. don't work there. it's that simple. do it for as long as you have to get out of there. they are not jobs you can survive on. you have to take the initiative. you can't rely on the government to force them to pay more. there is no guarantee you can have a living wage. you have to earn it. at no time did someone wake up making enough to buy a $700k home. they worked very hard to get it all through school and paid for college. and before you ask yes, I worked a min wage job when I was 16. it was an eye opener. I worked at taco bell. and they make it out like getting a 5 cent raise was a huge deal with all the "training" you needed to complete. it was the first taste of the real world. and realized my teachers were right. don't work for these companies and you won't have to struggle. don't expect the government to provide for you.

[@theQuestion626]

@@blue03r6 you see here's the problem with your approach... You didn't factor in cost of living. And if you say that these people should learn trades and education and again that cost money money that is virtually wiped out by a cost-of-living that is through the roof. "They worked hard" Yeah? but so do those who work in these jobs that you denigrate. In fact those who work in fast-food you know these jobs that you think are so easy and are manned by "people with a 5th grade education" are actually attempting to save up to get the education that you think is so easy to obtain. Some of them do succeed however but many do not. Any want to know why they have a 5th grade education? Most likely because their schooling is underfunded or their school is shut down because of lack of funding. I know you have it in your mind is Candyland fantasy that all it takes is hard work and dedication but it's a little more nuanced than that and if you ever bothered to actually read on this subject instead of applying fight simplifications in broad-stroke generalizations you might realize just how backwards your whole approach really is. "I worked a min wage job it was an eye opener" I don't really think that's what happened seeing as how you view it with such ignorance.

[@theQuestion626]

@@blue03r6 "you cant rely on the government" Well they certainly can't rely on Private Industry either. Because you see that's why the government actually has a stake in this because Private Industry has a history of screwing over its own employees in the name of profit. You need to drop this Blind Faith you have in cliches like "gumption" and "initiative" because logic dictates if your cost of living is higher than what you earn regardless of what your job is then something is seriously asked you. I also like to point out to you that there are a lot of out-of-work Tradesman out there. Trades are not a guaranteed profession by the way. Especially if you're not unionized and I'm sure you're not aware of this but unions have decreased in strength in the last decades thanks to private corporations propaganda machines. Now don't misunderstand initiative and hard work are vitally important to a person's success and livelihood however you have to understand people can become quickly disillusioned especially when they are working more than actually living when they spend virtually every hour of their lives working and yet they can barely make rent then disillusionment occurs. Oh and you would think that if you're working all those hours that the employer would pay them more? Sadly that doesn't occur why? Because it's profits before employees *every* time. corporate profits soar because their employees make almost nothing. And I know the tired cliche of "they can get another job" well let me pop that bubble and point out to you a problem with your approach: Amazon is one of the few jobs out there that pays 15 and up. So essentially that is a job that barely is able to make a dent in the cost of living the rest of them pay well below $15 and now before you throw out the "advice" and they can work another job I should point out to you that people in the lower socioeconomic levels work up to four jobs at a time and they're still not breaking even. why? Because profits are far more important than employees advancement and because people like you like to throw out the "wisdom" as that all it takes is "initiative". when your job Makes you live from paycheck to paycheck initiative just isn't going to cut it.

[@Noah-og6dv]

ow :(

[@Timbales1979]

You badly need a holistic vocal coach, David.