If you spend 10 years studying philosophers, you will think and
   speak and come up with ideas like a philosopher does. You've
   gained one-field worldview and you will likely interpret all you
   see and think through this singular lens. But you also learned
   something from work. There's this one guy that really pisses you
   off and you don't know why. You try to philosophize about it,
   but the mold doesn't fit. It's outside of the Universe of
   philosophy. Its pissing you off and you can't put your finger on
   it. Specialization is *useful* but it won't make you a
   generalist,- which is I think what* is referring to. You have to
   bring it all together. Often it becomes a "gut" feeling - an
   intuition. Rationalizing can only take you so far, Although it
   can take you VERY far in a particular direction - it does not
   take you in all directions. === I hope you do write children's
   books. I love learning but for me, the real pleasure is in
   explaining it to others in a form that they can grasp. I
   challenge myself to talk to people who are more intelligent in
   particular areas than me; I try to be smart among people I
   consider smarter so that I can grow. But most of the time, I
   prefer translating my thoughts into different forms, depending
   on the audience. I don't expect people to think-like-me or have
   the same background. I like a diverse set of backgrounds to talk
   to. I try to keep my writing at about a 6th grade level most of
   the time for that reason. I've found few ideas that CAN'T be
   talked about in that way, even if it requires a few more words
   or analogies. = I really hope you pursue it. I'm a huge believer
   in encouraging kids to be creative and express themselves,
   rather than waiting for some magical point where they're then
   'allowed a voice'. To me, it doesn't matter if 10,000 people
   said what they've said before. It's new to them. It matters to
   them. That's the thing I like to encourage as well. == My heart
   emoticon is with you Shane. For me, learning never ends and
   everybody's my teacher. You've taught me. James has taught me.
   I've never met somebody that didn't teach me SOMETHING or at
   least remind me of something I'd forgotten about. =- That's how
   I see things too. Just today, my 3.5 yr old niece came out and
   asked why we add sticks to the campfire. [we have a campfire
   circle in our backyard] I had to think quick - how to explain?
   Then it came to me: The fire eats sticks. She got it.   ==