The Polymath: Unlocking the Power of Human Versatility

The Polymath: Unlocking the Power of Human Versatility

Every human is born with multifarious potential. Why, then, do parents, schools and employers insist that we restrict our many talents and interests; that we "specialize" in just one? We've been sold a myth, that to "specialize" is the only way to pursue truth, identity, or even a livelihood. Yet specialization is nothing but an outdated system that fosters ignorance, exploitation, and disillusionment and thwarts creativity, opportunity, and progress. Following a series of exchanges with the world's greatest historians, futurists, philosophers, and scientists, Waqas Ahmed has weaved together a narrative of history and a vision for the future that seeks to disrupt this prevailing system of unwarranted "hyper-specialization." In The Polymath , Waqas shows us that there is another way of thinking and being. Through an approach that is both philosophical and practical, he sets out a cognitive journey towards reclaiming your innate polymathic state. Going further, he proposes nothing less than a cultural revolution in our education and professional structures, whereby everyone is encouraged to express themselves in multiple ways and fulfill their many-sided potential. Waqas Ahmed is currently Artistic Director at The Khalili Collections. Previously, Waqas was Global Correspondent at FIRST Magazine, where his exclusive interviews included world leaders in government, business, and academia. He was also the editor of Holy Makkah, the first-of-its-kind exploration of the sacred city, which received praise from UNESCO, the Commonwealth, and the Vatican. Born and raised in Britain, Waqas has since lived in several countries across Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and South Asia. He has degrees in economics (BSc, SOAS) and international relations (MSc, LSE), but his real education came from the five years he spent traveling the world researching and writing The Polymath, his first book.