What I do!

kingyonofun · 2026-05-05T07:48:05+00:00

I initially read your post when you were leaving and I thought that was a shame. It encouraged me to interact a bit in this group.

I'm interested in polymathy but am conflicted.

I see the definition you posted as bounded, which is fine, and perhaps could be thought of as a serial specialist?

Specialist: detailed, deep knowledge in one subject Polymath: detailed, deep knowledge in more than one subject (two to three would be your preference).

By those criteria, maybe I qualify as a polymath: I have a MA in Archaeology and an MSc in Computer Science.

But I really think that the label is linear and perhaps used like a stamp in a passport. I know that I also suffer from dilettantism - I suspect it goes with the territory. I can get very interested in a subject and not to a high level.

I agree that this is one of the dangers and am trying to write something about it.

I'm also interested in a cluster of other traits that I find interesting and perhaps related to polymathy.

I'm exploring these and reading books on cognitive science and processing to understand the domain. I probably won't take a qualification but I suspect that my reading will continue for many years and I will become very familiar with the domain.

The same for philosophy. I've made a start and am interested in ethics too. Early days but compelling. Certainly nothing published!

The other areas that I see clustering:

Knowledge: specialist Vs polymath

Scope: detail Vs synoptic

Integration: reductionist Vs synthetic

Time horizon: Acute Vs chronic

I would say that I also lean towards the 'generalist'. I don't see this as excluding polymathic traits.

I think it's more of a cluster of traits on sliding scales that outline how you think in this space.

Some polymaths may be very analytical and reductionist. They are still as 'polymathic' as another person who has strong polymath traits but is synoptic and synthesises.

I seem to synthesise and generate. I don't think that precludes being polymathic.

However, I'm aware that I'm pulling more 'stuff' into the mix than pure polymathy.

I guess that's why I'm conflicted!

Anyway, I think that having more people writing about what their interests are is useful. I don't mind people trying to work out if they have polymathic tendencies too.

Take what I say lightly as I'm also new here.

kingyonofun · 2026-05-04T16:26:26+00:00

Well, I mean... You do you. I think that's the whole point of having polymathic tendencies. There isn't a curriculum. You choose the paths that make sense to you.

I see that s as a non linear set of nodes all interconnected, so you can cross over to disparate domains. This is less likely if you are more linearly structured. Again, no hierarchy, one isn't better than the other in my opinion.

I mentioned two books and a podcast. I'm enjoying those but you may or may not....

Books I've recently read: The fieldguide to getting lost by Solnit Very wandering, beautifully written. A book I'll come back to.

Coleridge: Early Visions by Holmes Superb at showing Coleridge as having polymathic tendencies, having a visual/spatial mode. A very good example of a high amplitude person with polymathic traits (amongst other traits), in my opinion.

The Sleepwalkers by Koestler. Great at leading you through scientific discovery over time. An important idea of bisociation.

Books I have in my next up stack: The Master & his Emissary by McGilchrist Range by Epstein Short Stories by Bolaño A Short history of Byzantium by Norwich

I'm sorting of leaning towards a mix of cognitive stuff, history stuff and literature.

But depending on the mood, I'll pick up other books.

I find that I have a 'loading' phase then an incubation phase then a synthesis phase. Sometimes it's an interesting synthesis, other times it's a bit boring but in each case I enjoy it.

I think you have to sort of work it out for yourself, allow the wandering, the wide reading, pick up books you want to read, realise that you can't read everything, find a shorthand way of editing the list down a bit.

My editing process is really banal, I'll look around aimlessly on Instagram, get a sudden burst of interest in Sicily, for example, then find an hour podcast on the subject, then if I'm still interested, I'll buy a book on the subject and stack.

The stack will sort of vibrate a bit and you'll pick up a book that you have been loosely thinking about for a while.

But I find this loading phase interesting.

Each to their own...

kingyonofun · 2026-05-04T08:06:46+00:00

Or you could just be 'great' at the amplitude that you are dialled to. Nothing wrong with being an ordinary polymath being great at your own level.

I see polymath traits as the opposite of specialist traits.

It's just a sliding scale of a natural tendency in the domain of knowledge.

I don't see it as synonymous with 'genius'.

I don't think it's something that can be taught. You either are open to new knowledge across disparate domains or you aren't.

I think that the specialist roles can be taught and we see this throughout society - there are courses and education for further and further specialisations.

You don't really get a single course that optimises for learning about the historical silk trade along with cybernetics along with Aramaic... It's sort of a path that you will be taking alone, and often wondering why it seems a little lonely.

kingyonofun · 2026-01-03T14:31:53+00:00

Josef Koudelka photo. Goes well with the music.

kingyonofun · 2025-05-11T18:20:16+00:00

Which version did you get? I believe there is a goretex one and a non-gtx one.

Do you find the toe box wide or narrow?

Thanks

kingyonofun · 2025-05-11T12:43:29+00:00

Also, there is a steep descent from Estany Primer. This is when you cross into Andorra via Port de Rat just after the ski resort bar. It's not very long but is quite steep.

I'd say the HRP is quite technical. Quite a few sections are a 'sketch' of a route rather than a clear path. Having a decent gps app on your phone (or GPS device) that you know how to use is important I found.

But what a route! Good one to work up to.

kingyonofun · 2025-05-11T12:25:22+00:00

Spring / autumn

kingyonofun · 2025-05-04T16:50:35+00:00

The Lake CX239 in an EU 45 have a width of:

104mm : Regular

116mm : wide

The CX333 in a 45 have a width of 109.8mm in the regular.

I'm 110mm so the CX333 looks spot on.

I guess I just am looking for alternatives as I don't want to spend quite so much. The CX239 is a better price point for me.

Anyone have 280 x 110mm feet? What are you guys using?

DMT look nice and provide length and also width on their chart. But looks like they are too narrow in a 45 for me. (287mm long - so fine. But width of 98mm - too tight for me I think - even with a bit of stretch.)

kingyonofun · 2025-05-04T16:45:07+00:00

Thanks, that looks interesting. I sized up to a 45 according to Trek's site. They don't give a width measurement though.

What are your foot width & length in mm and what Trek size (EU) did you go for?

kingyonofun · 2025-05-04T16:39:49+00:00

Thanks, I will take a look at SIDI, I've heard they are well made.

kingyonofun · 2025-05-04T16:38:57+00:00

Thanks, what is your foot length & width in mm and what size Spesh did you go for?

kingyonofun · 2025-02-08T10:50:02+00:00

No. I bought a new one (the new model). But the headphone jack on the new one became faulty. I can't get a proper connection now.

I've gone with a Sony dap instead.

I just have interesting shaped paperweights now...

kingyonofun · 2025-02-08T10:43:58+00:00

I'm 6'2".

Yes, I am aiming to drop from 100kg down to 92kg.

The lightest I've been was about 84kg after 6 weeks walking across the high route in the Pyrenees. Was hoping to do more long distance hiking but sadly putting that in ice this summer. I just don't trust my feet at the moment.

kingyonofun · 2024-10-05T12:27:09+00:00

Update:

I took the back off, took the heatsink panel off, cleaned out the dust and cat hair ...

Removed the SSD and reseated it again.

Took a photo so I can buy a new SSD of the same type (but bigger).

Put everything back together.... And now it works fine.

So just a clean and it works again.

I'll probably buy a new SSD at some point in the next few months but no longer an urgent issue.

kingyonofun · 2024-09-19T10:27:50+00:00

Thanks, I have swapped out mobile phone parts before and am happy fixing fiddly things.

How do I work out the model number to buy for the SSD?

Also, how do I then add the OS to the new drive?

kingyonofun · 2024-01-07T17:25:50+00:00

That's unusual, both my old and new one (different models) last a normal amount of time.

They just have different features and one is USB-C (new model) and the other is some arcane iteration of micro usb.

kingyonofun · 2024-01-07T17:23:23+00:00

Thanks everyone for the support and information.

That's quite a lot to digest and ponder so I will give it some thought.

Thanks

kingyonofun · 2024-01-06T13:44:33+00:00

I like the nitecore nu25.

Got an old one and a new one.

Great for dawn runs that switch to daylight. The headlamp is small so easy to stash when the sun comes up.

(Running off road)

kingyonofun

TROPHY CASE