A human being should be able to change a diaper, plan an invasion, butcher a hog, conn a ship, design a building, write a sonnet, balance accounts, build a wall, set a bone, comfort the dying, take orders, give orders, cooperate, act alone, solve equations, analyze a new problem, pitch manure, program a computer, cook a tasty meal, fight efficiently, die gallantly. Specialization is for insects.
Robert A. Heinlein
What would you include if you were writing this sentence yourself, for someone living today?
CC
who responded,
Write a love letter,
Iron a shirt,
Amuse a child,
Format a Word Document,
Mix a gin gimlet,
Fill out a tax form,
Kiss,
but above all,
Google.
I would add,
ReplyDeleteChange a flat tire,
read a map,
do the laundry,
polish the silver,
paint a still life,
speak a second language,
give a speech,
conduct a funeral for a pet.
I second the "read a map" element.
ReplyDeleteYou guys are making me feel inadequate.
ReplyDeleteWell, on counting, I can do more than half of those (if you count doing a funeral for a human rather than a pet.) So I feel a bit better....
And, yes, I can read a map.
Can I add:
cook a meal
sew a button back on
drive a car
send (and receive) an email
wash your hands properly
learn to play a musical instrument,
ReplyDeletecry when necessary,
don't be afraid to fail,
experience unbridled joy at least once,
not be afraid to be silent.
I hope that CC's list is copyright, otherwise it will probably be part of Google's advertising within the week.
ReplyDeleteGoodness, what an advertising career you have missed. Perhaps law school is a good complement for the other skills.
I'm just giving credit where credit is due.
ReplyDeleteIMHO, the next best thing to knowing how to do something is knowing how to find out how to do it.
Used properly, Google is the most efficient means to that end.
CC
The Heinlein quote has been a favorite of mine since I first read that book as a teen. I love the updates as well.
ReplyDelete