The Power of Not Specializing: Embracing a Life of Range

In a world that constantly urges us to specialize—to become the best in one narrow field—I have chosen a different path. I walk the road of range, diving deeply into different areas rather than confining myself to a single domain.

This philosophy is reflected in my bookstore, Global Language Reads. When people ask, “What is your specialty?” my answer is simple: The specialty is not being specialized. The store is a reflection of broad curiosity, an exploration of the world’s abundance of knowledge across languages, cultures, and disciplines.

Why limit ourselves to one subject when the world offers an infinite web of ideas to explore? Being a scientist and a teacher, a writer and a bookseller, I find connections between biology and literature, law and environmental advocacy, history and philosophy. This approach isn’t about surface-level dabbling—it’s about diving deep into multiple fields and allowing them to inform each other.

David Epstein’s book Range: Why Generalists Triumph in a Specialized World makes a compelling case for this mindset. He argues that the most innovative thinkers are those who draw from diverse experiences, synthesizing knowledge across domains. The book is an excellent read for anyone questioning the modern obsession with hyper-specialization and looking for inspiration to embrace intellectual versatility.

So, if you’re someone who feels pulled in many directions, know that having range is not a weakness—it’s a strength. The world needs specialists, but it also needs those who can see the bigger picture, make unexpected connections, and keep the spirit of curiosity alive.