Uh, yeah, that’s what I meant
Uh, yeah, you say that, and then you make exactly the same mistake again.
So, I'll repeat it.
The contents of the list do not matter.
So you saying this:
My only point was that there are different regular skill sets depending on where an individual resides, perhaps everyone should know how to skin a hog and knock a fool on his ass as was much more common in Heinlein’s time, but times are more complicated now for better and worse
Isn't saying that. You're changing the contents of the list to suit 2020, when the contents of the list does not matter.
Again. The list does not matter. He is saying that men should broaden their horizons and gives examples. Not an exhaustive list that will suit you 50-60 years later.
Hell, a list you make now, would've be irrelevant 10 years ago and will be irrelevant in 10 years.
Yes, he's the father of sci-fi, but not even he could imagine the kind of world we live in today (possibly because he'd be so, soo disappointed with it).
Alter the list to suit whatever era you live in if you wish. But his point still remains. Broaden your skill base. Specialising is for insects, not humans.
We don’t all come from the farm, get drafted into the Great War and come home to stake our claim in industry as seemed to be proper way in hindsight if not in fact; that dream was a bit narrow in its own way I’d say
No, we didn't. And he's not saying you should only aim to work land or a factory. You're assuming that because of the items on the list. Again, the list does not matter. He's saying that to become a well rounded member of society, widen your skill base. He never moved into industry, he became a writer. A skill set that he left off his list. Why? To reduce competition for his books.
Nah, I'm kidding.
Because the list does not matter.
Then again there are specialists who can’t do shit according to Heinlein’s diddy, and often fail miserably for it but we get some of the most amazing achievements this way; not to criticize Heinlein, maybe Einstein and James Dean should have spent more time in the barn
Your examples prove his point. Although I am wondering the achievements of James Dean beyond being famous for an early death, you've pointed out inherently flawed men. Specialised, flawed individuals. He didn't say that insects aren't amazing at a certain thing. He pointed out that outside of that singular amazing thing, insects are absolutely useless.
Einstein is an excellent example of this. Same with Freddie Mercury. Outside of their immense talent, they were pretty much fucked. Einstein would be utterly useless with a flat tyre. Had they been more rounded individuals, maybe things wouldn't have gone so wrong for them.
And i don't mean more rounded by learning to butcher a pig or captain a ship. Because the examples on the list do not matter.
Also, this:
Isn't what he meant by 'fight efficiently'. The ability to fight efficiently means more than being good at punching people in the face. There's more ways than one to fight, and more important things to fight than fools.
That's the problem with Heinlein. It's not what he writes, it's how people interpret him that gets him into trouble.
And finally
Sigh