the world is changing faster than we can imagine. we're stepping into a second renaissance —a digital renaissance—where the shift is as profound as moving from books to media, mechanics to robotics, and even from earth to mars.
this era is exciting, full of possibilities, and offers opportunities to make a difference in ways we never thought possible. but with all this change comes a big question: how can i adapt to these times? how can i have an impact on the world?
the answer lies in understanding what the renaissance truly means. there are synonyms for it—like generalist, polymath, & scholar.
a generalist is someone with a broad range of knowledge and skills but also deep expertise in multiple areas. they embrace diverse experiences, think divergently, and solve problems in creative ways.
now, i wonder—what traits or habits do these generalists have to succeed in today's digital age?
as a generalist, you have many interests, and the only way to pursue them all is by staying full of energy.
entrepreneurs mind. athletes body. artists soul.
- james clear
exercise is a great way to boost your brain, especially for learning. movement signals to the brain that something important is happening. if exercise were a drug, it would be the most powerful one ever created.
in the future, the greatest division will be between those who can acquire skills and discipline their minds and those who are irrevocably distracted by all the media around them and can never focus enough to learn.
- robert greene
i'm a big big believer in the flow state (thanks to watching blue lock anime), where you get so immersed in something that hours fly by without you noticing. i often get into this state when coding, learning something new, or playing chess.
it feels like play to you, but works to other. - naval ravikant
if you need someone to tell you what to learn and how it works, then i think you're at severe disadvantage in the digital age.
so now a generalists have habits like:
now, what skills do generalists have? they focus on permissionless skills, meaning they don't rely on other people, money, or resources to use them in ways that provide value to others.
for example, media and apps can be created on a computer and shared online.
big companies like microsoft, apple, google, and meta are all built on code.
now, what is the one "meta-skill" everyone should learn, no matter their field?
no, it's not coding (although coding is powerful). it's writing.
writing helps you think clearly. if you keep everything in your head, you might miss logical connections. it's that moment when you think you understand something, but when someone asks you about it, you can't explain it clearly.
some time ago, i would have said reading is the best skill someone could have. but now i realize that reading is a skill like:
reading plus writing make literacy which is pretty much the craziest skills someone could have.
you might think that understanding how computers work is the ultimate skill, but it's actually just part of the puzzle. yes obviously it contains computer because with that you can build applications and software and distribute them into the web.
it's not just about coding—it's about knowing how to use technology to bring ideas to life and share them with the world.
thanks for being here.
until then,
siddharth
say hi on x.com or email notcodesid@gmail.com. i read every message :)