Perhaps Leonardo da Vinci might be the exception that proves the rule?
One might also say that being the greatest in the world in various fields was easier at a time when most people didn't have the spare time to devote to increasing their expertise in any one field. Times have changed.
It's hard to imagine someone having the time to be a world renowned particle physicist *and* having the time to devote to being a professional tennis player or world champion Scrabble player. There's only so many hours in a week, and the at this point, to be the 'best' at just about anything skill based takes a full time commitment.
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timeasmymeasure
Re: Exceptionalism
Date: March 2nd, 2011 02:57 pm (UTC)One might also say that being the greatest in the world in various fields was easier at a time when most people didn't have the spare time to devote to increasing their expertise in any one field. Times have changed.
It's hard to imagine someone having the time to be a world renowned particle physicist *and* having the time to devote to being a professional tennis player or world champion Scrabble player. There's only so many hours in a week, and the at this point, to be the 'best' at just about anything skill based takes a full time commitment.