Heinlein

[chuckro]

Robert Heinlein: "A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects."

Of those, I am very certain I can (because I have already done): Write a sonnet, balance accounts, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, and cook a tasty meal.

I am moderately certain that, if called upon, I could: Build a wall, comfort the dying, pitch manure, and die gallantly.

With a little training (as I have the basic required skills), I could probably manage: Change a diaper, butcher a hog, and program a computer.

I would need extensive training/practice to: Plan an invasion, conn a ship, design a building, or fight efficiently.

What about you?

Comments

[chuckro.livejournal.com]

I just pulled the quote exactly as I found it. If suppose if I were making the list, I'd probably put "drive a car", as that's a more critical skill to modern everyday life.

I think I was also presuming that a few of these were "hitchhiker's towel" skills. If you know how to butcher a hog, then you can probably butcher most large animals and know a decent amount about dressing and preserving meat. If you can plan an invasion, then you know how to coordinate large groups of people, how to choose the best of a series of bad options, etc.

Though I suppose if I was making a list of all the skills a well-rounded person should have, I'd add in a bunch of things like: Swim 100 yards, sew a button or affix a patch, start a campfire, tie secure knots, clean and dress a wound, navigate by map, and know when to ask for help.