Is it better to be an expert on something rather than know a little about everything?

[Patrick Chewing]

In social settings, do you think people are more intrigued by someone who is an expert at something (Botany for example), or someone who can carry on a conversation because they can relate and have some knowledge on many different things?


Take a Computer Science guru for example. While he or she may know every intricate detail about the subject, they may know next to nothing on something as simple as the game of basketball or football.

I personally strive for knowledge on multiple things to hold conversations a bit better.

[GimmeThat]

In social settings, even as little subjects that dont mean much extend in depth with one person, it could be considered as having an expert point of view on the tip of an iceberg.


As to people being intrigued.

I would say that seeking for attention might not work best. But more so capturing the moment of the wandering attention, or directing attention to keep people intrigued/engaged in the setting.


#konica

[Dave3]

In social settings? Way more important to know a little on a lot of subjects. In regular conversations, people go through many topics and tangents. If you're able to only keep up with one topic more than anyone else but can't talk about anything else, you'll be a lot more left out in conversation than included.

[triangleoffense]

I'd say it's much much better and healthier to be well rounded but unfortunately it's better for your wallet in today's economy if you specialize in just one thing given how the market works.

It's unfortunate that it's like this now since in classical greece and even the middle ages/enlightenment there were many polymaths (mastery/brilliance level in a variety of subjects)

[Dave3]

I'd say it's much much better and healthier to be well rounded but unfortunately it's better for your wallet in today's economy if you specialize in just one thing given how the market works.

He's talking social settings though. In a profession, it's of course way better to know your job very well as opposed to knowing a little bit about your coworkers' jobs.

[Bandito]

In social settings, do you think people are more intrigued by someone who is an expert at something (Botany for example), or someone who can carry on a conversation because they can relate and have some knowledge on many different things?


Take a Computer Science guru for example. While he or she may know every intricate detail about the subject, they may know next to nothing on something as simple as the game of basketball or football.

I personally strive for knowledge on multiple things to hold conversations a bit better.

Youre talking about a social setting not a technical one. For a job in computer science you need to be a specialist in a technical job and need to know a lot of intricate details. In a social setting that doesn't work because there are a lot of aspects to the world.

[triangleoffense]

He's talking social settings though. In a profession, it's of course way better to know your job very well as opposed to knowing a little bit about your coworkers' jobs.

I think it's better even in a professional sense to at least know SOMETHING cool about things that are not in your field.

It sort of tells people that yea.. I've been around/well-traveled and i can relate with people that are not just in my bubble.

Also it depends WHAT you know about as well. For some fields I just straight up place higher on the pedestal than other fields simply because of the mental work involved. Things like Medicine(modern), Computer Science, Political structure, etc aren't even possible without things like Mathematics, Biology, Chemistry, etc.. which is why all the "hard sciences" typically are harder, more competitive and pay more than other "soft sciences" like sociology.

[Patrick Chewing]

I think in social settings is when any of this would really matter. Aside from your profession and your life at home, a Computer Science guru would seem to struggle to make small talk at a bar.

Of course there are exceptions and I'm not picking on the computer geeks, but like myself for example, my extent of computer knowledge goes as far as knowing which operating systems I am currently using at work and at home. Any other knowledge above that would be overkill in a social conversation with a group of people.

[triangleoffense]

I think in social settings is when any of this would really matter. Aside from your profession and your life at home, a Computer Science guru would seem to struggle to make small talk at a bar.

Of course there are exceptions and I'm not picking on the computer geeks, but like myself for example, my extent of computer knowledge goes as far as knowing which operating systems I am currently using at work and at home. Any other knowledge above that would be overkill in a social conversation with a group of people.

That's true unless their really as interested in the subject as you are but no one is really that interested "IRL" other than ppl who want to **** you or someone you have stuff in common with.

[Swaggin916]

It just depends on what is important to you. You will be liked/accepted more by multiple circles if you know about a lot of things, but if you just really enjoy one or few things, what is the point of talking to people who aren't into that? I personally prefer the people who are experts because they really are into what they do and what they tell me is accurate... but I appreciate people who know a lot as well and try to fit and make an enjoyable experience.

[chosen_one6]

That's true unless their really as interested in the subject as you are but no one is really that interested "IRL" other than ppl who want to **** you or someone you have stuff in common with.

Or people that need help with an issue they're having with their computer.

I've f*cked a few chicks that "needed help" with their laptop

[Nowitness]

Why not just do what I did and master everything?

Makes sense that Patrick limits himself, a slave mentality produced by his Christian faith.

[chosen_one6]

Why not just do what I did and master everything?

Makes sense that Patrick limits himself, a slave mentality produced by his Christian faith.

[ace23]

What do you mean by better? Ask a more specific question and the answer is obvious.

Social setting with people who are not as well-versed in the particular field (most social settings): a little about a lot of course

Social setting with people who discuss the subject 24/7: a lot about a little