Jim Dator once wrote that a good futurist should possess the broadest possible knowledge across various fields—from the natural sciences and social sciences to the humanities—essentially describing a polymath. Inspired by this ideal of a "polymathic futurist," I set out to explore polymathy further, leading to a fascinating conversation with Aksinya Staar. Her insights reveal how embracing a polymathic mindset enables us to better grasp the big picture, perceive patterns of relationships, apply multiple perspectives, and more effectively anticipate the long-term effects of our decisions. In our interview, we explore how polymathy is more than just a beautiful phenomenon; it is also a practical and necessary approach for navigating the complexities of our fast-changing world.
Aksinya, it’s a pleasure to be having this conversation with you. Your work on polymathy has long caught my attention. I know you’ve already written a book on the subject and are now working on another…
Yes, actually, this is my third one. The most relevant for futurists is the one coming out next week. It's titled "The Future of Work: From Industrial to Polymath Mindset." This book connects polymathy to the real world because many people consider polymathy just a beautiful phenomenon—which it is—but it's also highly relevant and deeply rooted in reality. There are so many polymathic people around us who are struggling because they're not being acknowledged or they're told they're doing something wrong because they don’t fit into our industrial mindset. I can expand on this topic if you'd like.
I'm really excited to dive into this topic because I imagine many futurists will relate to the experience of having unique abilities that often go unrecognised. Before we explore the benefits of polymathy and the challenges you've mentioned, could you tell us more about what it means to be a Polymath Mindset Strategist and what this role involves?
Yes, the title is amazing—thanks to ChatGPT! I was experimenting with words to capture what I do, but in reality, this role found me rather than the other way around. Even before I settled on the title, people were approaching me for what turned out to be “polymath mindset strategy.”
It all happened organically. Writing on LinkedIn gave my work good visibility, and with the support of my books and an engaged network, something unexpected began to unfold. Originally, I was working to inspire the learning and development field—a field I know well—to train people in the polymathic mindset. But progress was slow.
Then, unexpectedly, I started receiving requests from the tech industry—the innovators. Tech companies started reaching out to me, saying they needed an advisor to provide a “bigger picture” perspective that integrated multiple disciplines. They were drawn to my work and background, which spans linguistics, HR, pedagogy (particularly in alternative education), and also my personal interests in history, anthropology, complexity science, psychology, and sociology. With this blend of disciplines, I could provide insights into how people might react to their products—a broader perspective they felt was missing. They didn’t just need a psychologist or specialist; they needed someone who could see connections and understand impacts from multiple angles.
This is also how polymathy connects to foresight and futures, where you need to grasp the implications of something across multiple levels. One of my favourite tools, the Futures Wheel, helps visualise this by prompting you to think through the first-, second-, and even third-order effects of an event or decision. This broader, interconnected perspective is at the heart of what I do as a Polymath Mindset Strategist.
It sounds like your career naturally evolved...
Yes. In my second book, "Future of Work," I describe analogies of what a polymathic person is. One of the analogies is that it is the manifestation of "becoming." A polymath is someone constantly in this flow of development, but it happens naturally. What I love and always try to emphasise is that it's not about forcing yourself to become something—it just unfolds. That's the beauty.
I can totally relate to the idea of "becoming" and see how it applies to the futures field, as futurists are never static or confined to a single field. They're always exploring—delving into different disciplines to gain historical insights, multicultural perspectives, and a broader understanding. Jim Dator basically described a futurist as a polymath. I’d love to hear your thoughts on that.
Yes, not only do I see it—I actually wrote about it. In my book “WHY POLYMATHS?” I describe professions most suited for polymaths, and "futurist" was on the list. It was one of many times where I thought, "Hey, this is absolutely the perfect job for a polymath—to be a futurist." You really have to have this wealth of knowledge in different domains. There's no strict definition of a polymath; there are various ones, but we generally agree that a polymath should know at least three domains quite deeply. I quite like how the leading polymathy scholar Michael Araki described the phenomenon: “Breadth + Depth = Integration”
The fascinating thing about polymathy is that it never stops with three domains: you’re exploring and delving into various things at different depths. So, you have at least three areas where you're very comfortable, where you have expertise that someone who just dips into won't have. Then you explore other fields and see the interconnections—that's how it works. But in some fields, you need deep expertise because only then do you recognise where your gaps are and when you need to reach out to an expert.
For example, I have a friend who's an economist—a polymath herself—and I consult her when I need insights into macroeconomics. I know enough to realise when I need to consult an expert, which is crucial.
That's why I feel it's very important to have expertise in some areas—to understand what it means to know a subject well. Then you need a general understanding of other things, but you need to know that at some point, you really need to go and ask an expert.
It sounds like there's a degree of intellectual humility—being driven by curiosity rather than ego. This reminds me of Alexander von Humboldt, who is considered the last great polymath with an absolute knowledge of his time. But even he recognised his limits and was comfortable asking others to explain things to him. In fact, by the end of his life, knowledge grew so rapidly that he couldn’t keep up anymore. Since then, the exponential growth of knowledge has made it impossible for any one person to grasp all fields entirely. I was wondering, how has the definition of a polymath evolved since Humboldt's era?
That's a fascinating question. People like Michael Araki, Angela C. Meyers, and Florian O. Stummer are working on rebranding the term. I love the idea of the "multidimensional human," which I’ll be developing in my next book. Since you mentioned Humboldt, it's interesting that in his work—in his sketches of the fauna in South America—he used this kind of multidimensional vision. His sketches are like screens with tabs—you click on a tab, and it opens. He was one of the first to use infographics to show this multidimensional perspective.
In Humboldt's time, disciplines were less developed, so one could cover more ground. Today, knowledge has expanded immensely. A modern high school graduate may know more factual information than Leonardo da Vinci did. But it's not about knowing facts; it's about deeply understanding and applying knowledge. And this is what often lacks today. People have degrees; they've done various things, but when you talk to them, you realise they have no real understanding of the subject.
So, for me, the fascination of a polymath is their desire to dive into the depth of things. If I may, I'd like to share a poem by Boris Pasternak, in which he beautifully captures the essence of polymathy:
"In everything I want to grasp its very core,
In work, in searching for the past, in heart's uproar.
To see the essence of my days, in every minute
To see its cause, its root, its base, its sacred meaning.
Perceiving constantly the hidden thread of fate.
To live, to think, to love, to feel, and to create."
This encapsulates what it means to be a polymath—a constant search for meaning and understanding the core of things.
This brings us back to our earlier point about polymathy as a mindset. Do you think this drive to explore deeply is the connecting thread between the Enlightenment ideal of polymathy and how we understand it today?
Exactly. In my book, I've defined characteristics of a polymathic mindset: a thirst for knowledge, curiosity, and continuous learning—which I call "superlearning." It's about continuously learning on your own, driven by intrinsic motivation. Some people have it stronger than others. Not everyone has this desire to grow and leave their comfort zone, even if it might improve their circumstances. That's something we need to consider as a society.
What other professions, apart from futures and foresight, would benefit from a polymath mindset?
Many professions, especially those connected to research, learning, and innovation. But also, project managers, recruiters, freelancers, data scientists, sales manager, just to name a few. Startup founders, for instance, need to be polymaths to develop something new and unusual. If you look at leaders of companies like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Tesla—they're all polymaths. You need an open mindset and knowledge of several areas; an accountant mindset won't get you far in innovation.
This also applies to education. In Austria, for instance, teachers have to teach at least two subjects. This a polymathic approach—the understanding that a teacher can teach biology and music, or mathematics and geography. Unfortunately, we tend to think someone cannot be adept at multiple things—but teachers are, and it’s taken for granted. There's a concept called "universal teaching" where one teacher in rural areas covers all subjects because there aren't enough educators. It works, and it's possible.
My message, especially with my second book, is that we're stuck in an industrial mindset, expecting everyone to do one thing. But that's not how the world operates anymore. We have systemic problems because we try to innovate with an old mindset—a mechanical worldview we've inherited from the scientific revolution. We're living in the knowledge age, the digital age—some say the AI age—but we're still stuck with outdated thinking.
Philosophers of science recognise this issue. My good friend Johannes Jäger—a polymath who is both a biologist and philosopher—often points out that science has remained reductionist, maintaining a mechanical worldview that permeates society. Despite our technological advancements, society continues to uphold this outdated mechanical perspective. This creates a conflict of vision. We cling to a mechanical view, but the world around us isn't mechanical; nature doesn't operate that way. Resolving this conflict is crucial, and I feel compelled to dedicate my work to addressing it—at least part of it, as I have so many other interests!
Given how prevalent the industrial mindset still is, and how hard it is for people with a polymathic mindset to fit into certain boxes, how can they sell their skills and abilities? How can they market themselves to employers?
It's never a one-person effort. I encourage people with polymathic dispositions, talents, or achievements to speak up, write about it, and talk about it. You're already contributing with this interview—you'll spread the word that this mindset exists. And not only does it exist; it has always been there. Compared to earlier centuries and millennia, today's polymaths may have a narrower breadth of expertise. In the past, polymaths could cover ten disciplines because fields were less developed. Today, many people proficiently cover at least three to five disciplines.
So, what can you do? First, we're creating collective awareness—that polymathy exists and is valuable. It's not only normal; it's actually the future because we face challenges that no specialist can solve alone. Complex issues—from climate change to geopolitical tensions and social problems—are so multifaceted that they require interdisciplinary approaches.
Next, work on presenting yourself effectively. I suggest that polymaths clearly showcase their wide array of skills, fields, and domains. It takes a bit of courage, but those who value this diversity will appreciate it. However, it's often not the HR manager—that's the trick. My advice is not to go through HR because they're usually instructed to look for specific qualifications and may not have an open mind for multidisciplinary profiles.
Instead, reach out to CEOs, department heads, or identify polymaths within the company. Many decision-makers recognise the need for individuals with these abilities and mindsets. Polymaths understand and support fellow polymaths. So, don't follow the traditional route; connect with people who recognise or already share this mindset.
It's also crucial to highlight the value you bring to the company. You have to demonstrate—because you have to sell yourself, as you rightly said—why your diverse expertise is beneficial.
You mentioned superlearning, and that sometimes people finish a university degree but don't have the same understanding as someone who is a superlearner and maybe was self-taught in the same subject. I was wondering, what does it mean to be a superlearner? How do you approach that?
Superlearning is about continuous curiosity—you can't stop learning. You're always exploring new fields because it's fascinating. It's an intrinsic motivation; you don't need external incentives. Superlearners exist, but not everyone is one.
In the new era we're entering, ideally, everyone needs to be a superlearner because the environment is changing so rapidly. We have to ignite this superlearning to become the new normal. Governments are promoting lifelong learning, which has been around since Confucius. But for superlearners, it's natural and organic.
People often ask me how to help others become superlearners. How do they do this? Can we transfer these skills? I thought extensively about this and realised—from research and academic studies—that curiosity can indeed be ignited. We need to awaken curiosity. Schooling often suppresses it; we know that during school age, almost every child loses it. However, we can revive it. There are methodologies and ways to artificially rekindle curiosity. I believe the key is adopting the habits of superlearners. For the rest of the population, curiosity can be stimulated—artificially at first—through deliberate efforts to awaken it. I'm confident it will work. There are various mechanisms explaining why and how it works, but the important thing is that it's possible.
I would love to hear more about the superlearners' ways of learning that we can adopt. What tools or methods do superlearners use? And what role does technology play?
Yes, absolutely. Not everyone learns from books, but I believe that to delve deeper, you can't avoid them. Reading is essential; I don't know another way to truly learn. Even in crafts like carpentry, where you might think books aren't necessary, understanding the history of the craft is important.
As a former career counsellor, I always said that anyone who wants to become a designer must learn the entire history of art. You need to understand how art has unfolded through the ages up to today. Knowing all the art movements and appreciating the vast beauty that's available is crucial. You have to visit museums and art galleries to be a designer. I can immediately tell the difference between a designer who knows art history and one who doesn't, just by their work.
Of course, learning from experience is valuable, but even in crafts—even in fields not considered intellectual—you need to read extensively. We have a family friend who is a builder. He has always built or renovated things and didn't receive a higher education, but he has a polymath mindset. He reads extensively about alternative building methods, ancient techniques, and new technologies. He's constantly educating himself, even though he doesn't consider himself an intellectual. He explores possibilities and strives to improve. For me, this is a polymath—the polymath mindset is about approaching any subject holistically and learning through all available means.
One important resource—not only books, not only ChatGPT—is people. Experts in their fields. Talk to them, invite them, attend lectures. Here in Vienna, we have the luxury of attending lectures by amazing people. I love the Complexity Science Hub; they're doing incredible work. The university offers many public lectures that you can attend for free. Whenever you attend such a lecture, you realise there's no comparison to reading a book. A book is valuable, but the professor has read hundreds of books on the topic. Listening to a video isn't the same; a live lecture is special.
Polymathic learning involves bringing everything together—not just reading books, not just using AI, or only meeting great people. Do it all together, all the time, to expand your understanding of complexity and beauty. For me, knowledge is beauty. I love it; it's so exciting because there are layers upon layers of the universe unfolding. You see one aspect, then another, and it's fascinating. I just wish I had more time!
You've touched on something I find interesting and challenging. If you have so many interests and love learning, how do you balance exploration and focus? How do you ensure you don't get lost in exploring and start applying what you've learned?
Balancing exploration and focus comes naturally to me because I'm a disciplined person. I can tell myself, "This is exciting, but I have other things to do." Time management is crucial. For example, I don't watch TV—we haven't had one at home for 20 years—which frees up a lot of time. I make the most of idle moments by reading on my phone. I have curated timelines on Facebook and LinkedIn filled with brilliant minds. And whenever I'm waiting, cooking, or commuting I listen to podcasts.
I optimise my time for learning and am constantly engaged in it. I read very quickly and in three languages, which allows me to gain a wide perspective through international connections across different fields and nations. I have strong ties to Asia, America, and Europe. I value people's insights—not just through reading but by understanding what real people think—and I'm fortunate to have very good polymathic friends. This web of collective consciousness—through information, people, books, audio content, and AI—constantly surrounds me. I'm always immersed in it, and it feels natural.
But admittedly, I have a trick to avoid feeling overwhelmed: it's all about attention. It may sound boastful, but I have an excellent focus which I attribute to practicing meditation for 30 years. Using a technique from Sahaja Yoga, I keep my attention centred, literally at the top of my head. This skill allows me to maintain focus in whatever I do.
Because of this ability, I don't feel overwhelmed and can absorb large amounts of information. Additionally, I have a good family, many close friends, and a stable life situation—though I faced challenges when I was younger, everything is now settled and beautiful—which provides me with stability. This grounding is essential for constant exploration.
If a futurist who is familiar with the foresight tools wanted to broaden their horizon, what are the three key areas where they could gradually build their knowledge?
Firstly, complexity science is essential—at least the basics. Understanding complexity is crucial because it provides insights into how interconnected systems operate. It helps you grasp the nuanced relationships within systems, which is vital for anticipating future trends and challenges.
Secondly, a solid knowledge of history, particularly world history—not just European history—is a must. Delving deep into global historical contexts allows you to understand the patterns and forces that have shaped our world. It took me at least five years to study history thoroughly, but it's incredibly relevant. Ever wonder why Yuval Noah Harari, a historian ventured into futures? Once you grasp the breadth of world history, you naturally become curious about the future and how past patterns might unfold.
Thirdly, an understanding of art, including the history of art and music, is absolutely essential because of its profound impact on society. Art deeply influences our collective understanding and shapes our thinking in ways we often aren't aware of. I recall a fascinating BBC series called “How Art Made the World” that explores how art has impacted major themes like love, death, and life itself. I'm not an artist by profession, however, having been a dancer for many years and having a sister who is an opera singer has shown me firsthand the powerful influence of the arts.
These three disciplines complexity science, history, and art help you understand how different elements are connected, where trends may be heading, and how you can make an impact. For example, there are multidisciplinary projects that communicate scientific concepts through art, effectively conveying complex content to wider audiences.
If you haven't focused on these areas yet, I highly recommend exploring them. When I began writing my first book on the history of learning, I realised I couldn't proceed without a deeper understanding of history. I needed to comprehend the interconnections—why a unique school emerged in a particular century and environment, what events led to its development, and so on. Recognising this gap, I set the book aside and dedicated several years to immersing myself in world history through lectures and extensive reading. Many of the books in my collection were acquired specifically for this research.
You've mentioned that traditional schooling can diminish curiosity and impact personal development. Can you elaborate on how the education system affects our natural curiosity and how individuals can rediscover their curiosity later in life?
Yes, this happens because school often kills curiosity, which is well-proven and understood. Methodologically, I can explain why it occurs. Imagine a teacher with 25 children in a class. If each child asks a question and the teacher spends one minute answering, that's 25 minutes gone. There's no time left to cover new material, review old lessons, or engage in planned activities. So, in the way education is structured today, encouraging questions isn't feasible. Typically, by the second grade, children stop asking questions. By the time they reach the 11th grade, their curiosity has significantly dwindled; they're not asking anything because there's no time, no encouragement, and they've lost interest.
Recovering from this suppression of curiosity takes many years. From my perspective, school can be a significant trauma. While some people say they’ve learnt some valuable things, it's traumatic in the sense that your entire being is moulded by the system. Whatever your innate interests or talents are, nobody seems interested; you have to conform to become a standard product for the industry. It takes years to recover from this. In my experience, especially in career consulting, I see that people usually start becoming who they truly are around the age of 40. Many call it a midlife crisis, but it's not a crisis—it's the realisation that you are so much more than the "small industrial animal" society tries to compress us into.
So, when people emerge from this trauma and start being themselves, the curiosity they develop at this stage is actually their natural curiosity—it was just suppressed. It's not something that suddenly appears out of nowhere; it's what you were as a child, perhaps even before kindergarten or school, before the system suppressed it. Now, you are unfolding and reconnecting with your true self.
Thank you so much, Aksinya, for sharing your insights and experiences. It's been a truly fascinating conversation, and I'm sure our readers will find it incredibly inspiring.
After our conversation, I have asked Aksinya to share some recommendations from her extensive book library and YouTube playlist. Here is the list she kindly compiled:
BBC Jim Al Khalili I highly recommend the brilliant polymathic scientist, Jim Al-Khalili!
I’ve never seen anyone explain highly complex matters so effortlessly, with such love, passion, and clarity - you’ll enjoy every moment. His documentaries are an excellent foundation for those with a humanities background who want to start grasping the fundamentals of science.
Here is a list of books I recommend, that opens doors into new dimensions of understanding, showing how disciplines intersect to shape our knowledge.
For Good and Evil: The Impact of Taxes on the Course of Civilization by Charles Adams, which brings a unique historical and economic perspective to the role of taxes.
The Master and His Emissary: The Divided Brain and the Making of the Western World by Iain McGilchrist examines the relationship between the brain’s hemispheres, merging neuroscience, philosophy, and cultural studies.
Behave: The Biology of Humans at Our Best and Worst by Robert Sapolsky explores human behaviour through biology, psychology, genetics, and sociology.
Astrophysics for People in a Hurry by Neil deGrasse Tyson. An accessible introduction to astrophysics that connects with philosophy, cosmology, and human curiosity.
Freakonomics: A Rogue Economist Explores the Hidden Side of Everything by Steven D. Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner uses economics to delve into societal behaviours, mixing sociology, psychology, and criminology.
The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee connects genetics with history, sociology, and psychology to show the cultural implications of biological discoveries.
The Structure of Scientific Revolutions by Thomas S. Kuhn. A classic work that blends history, philosophy, and science to explain how paradigm shifts occur in scientific thought.
About Aksinya Staar:
Aksinya is a Future of Work strategist, author, and advisor based in Vienna. She wrote the popular book "WHY POLYMATHS?" and is known as a thought leader in polymathy, a field dedicated to the study of multispecialists. With over 20 years of experience in talent acquisition, management, and development, combined with her intensive engagement in AI Ethics, Aksinya offers a novel outlook on the future of work. Her broad, multidisciplinary approach brings innovative ideas and techniques to leadership and workplace practices. Her new book is called "Future of Work: From Industrial to Polymath Mindset."
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