Don’t Box Yourself In

Moravec’s paradox: machines and humans frequently have opposite strengths and weaknesses.
Our greatest strength is the exact opposite of narrow specialization. It is the ability to integrate broadly.

These insights are invaluable in the era of AI.

By a stroke of luck, I never confined myself to a single specialization like many of my peers.

I have programmed in both interpreted and compiled languages, developed user interfaces, backend logic, and managed databases. I’ve gathered customer requirements as a business analyst and architected solutions.

With this diverse experience, I also ventured into sales support and even tried my hand at running a startup.

That wide exposure became my secret weapon. It gave me context others missed, and the confidence to connect dots across technology, business, and people.

It’s what helped me consult for the Indian government on e-governance initiatives and eventually grow into a CTO role.

The future belongs to integrators. Don’t box yourself in. Build a range of skills. That’s how you stay human in the age of machines.

# About the Book

Range by David Epstein argues that in a world obsessed with early specialization, generalists who explore widely and connect ideas across fields often rise to the top. Drawing from sports, science, and technology, Epstein shows how breadth fosters creativity and adaptability in complex environments. It’s a book that celebrates curiosity and cross-disciplinary thinking.

Buy the book: https://amzn.to/47TUPe7

This is part of 100 Ideas That Shaped Me from Books I Read

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