Multidimentional Humans

Lately, I've been contemplating the word "multidimensional" in relation to a human being. Why don't we use it more often? The term suggests a beautiful diversity within one personality, a complexity that seems missing in our general understanding of people.

It's so much easier to fit someone into a checkbox: profession, family status, nationality. This simplification makes initial perceptions easier, often leading to tribalism.

But easier does not mean wiser, nor sustainable in the long term. This reductive view of complex humans does not serve us well, especially now, in the Age of AI, when we are finally defining or at least redefining what it means to be human.

The concept of intrahuman complexity is far from new. The 19th century, a period rich in self-reflective classics, produced two meaningful pieces that I wish to draw upon while philosophizing about the multidimensional nature of human beings.

“I contain multitudes”

One of America's most influential poets, Walt Whitman, penned the seminal 1855 poem "Song of Myself" from his collection Leaves of Grass.

Whitman writes,

Do I contradict myself?

Very well then I contradict myself,

(I am large, I contain multitudes.).

Isn't it just marvelous? Interestingly, Whitman’s "Song of Myself" was initially deemed "trashy, profane & obscene" upon its publication. Yet now, this famous line has become a quintessential expression of the beautiful, desperate contradiction of being human in our digital age.

"Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions"

Another literary exploration of human complexity comes from Edwin A. Abbott, an English schoolmaster, theologian, and Anglican priest. His satirical novella, "Flatland: A Romance of Many Dimensions," depicts the lives of geometric figures in a two-dimensional world. What's the tale about?

In the quirky, geometric world of Flatland, A. Square lives in a society where the number of sides you have dictates your status. Circles reign supreme, revered and influential. Women, mere line segments, are viewed with a mix of danger and disdain.

A. Square, an unassuming character, explains how these shapes recognize each other by feeling their sides, adhering to the strictest of social norms. His orderly world is thrown into chaos when he dreams of Lineland, a bizarre one-dimensional realm populated by points and lines. The king cannot even begin to understand the concept of more than one dimension.

Then, a Sphere from Spaceland, a three-dimensional universe, pays A. Square a visit. Initially baffled, A. Square is soon whisked away to Spaceland, where he sees the glaring limitations of his two-dimensional existence and becomes mesmerized by the concept of a third dimension.

Mesmerized. Enthralled. What lies beyond? Overflowing with wonder and newfound understanding, he even begins to ponder the possibility of a fourth dimension. However, upon his return to Flatland, his attempts to share these groundbreaking revelations are met with disbelief and hostility.

Terrified, the authorities imprison him. Left to contemplate the vast, unseen worlds beyond his comprehension, A. Square reflects on the oppressive constraints of his society and the boundless possibilities that lie just out of reach.

Sounds familiar? The story can be read from different perspectives, but today I am interested in two.

Why Multidimentional Humans?

Firstly, as a polymathy exponent, I instantly reflect on the fate of a polymath in our (seemingly) one-dimensional, hyper-specialized society. Employers increasingly demand multi-skilled personnel, yet presenting a versatile resume or recounting a protean career often leaves people baffled, unable to grasp such professional complexity.

Why seemingly one-dimensional? Because it is not, and we know it very well. But it's just so comfortable to think linearly.

A polymath is a multidimensional being in every sense, embodying the fusion of diverse skills, knowledge, and perspectives. Unlike a specialist who explores in depth a single field, a polymath traverses multiple disciplines, weaving together insights from science, art, philosophy, and beyond. This breadth of knowledge allows them to approach problems holistically, seeing connections and patterns that others might miss.

"Flatland" reflects with amazing accuracy how a polymath feels in a monomathic (hyper-specialized) environment. I bet polymaths will enjoy reading this novella!

Secondly, from a humanistic perspective, "Flatland" is an allegory for adopting a multidimensional view of humanity and knowledge. A. Square begins in a world where thinking is confined to two dimensions, much like how traditional education or rigid societal norms can limit human potential.

This flat existence symbolizes a lack of depth in understanding, where individuals are categorized simplistically by their shapes and societal roles, like to the modern-day checkbox approach to human identity (profession, family status, nationality).

The advent of multimodal AI, and later AGI, will transform many aspects of our lives, compelling us to redefine what it means to be human.

If we persist in "minimizing" human nature to a limited one-dimensional view, ignoring our naturally multifaceted potential — the polymath capacity ingrained by our evolution — it will become increasingly difficult to keep pace with new technology.

This is not merely a philosophical question of whether to become multidimensional or not.

We ARE inherently multidimensional beings.

We just need to recognize this truth and act accordingly.

As part of the paradigm shift we need, it’s essential to adopt the polymath mindset.

Stay tuned for my upcoming book, "The Future of Work in the Age of AI: The Shift to the Polymath Mindset."