Investing principles applied to life: Curiosity. Learning.
If you draw a line from Leonardo da Vinci through Ada Lovelace to Steve Jobs, a story carrying a message appears.
There’s something special about the history of the personal computer. Like many innovations, it’s layered with dozens of people collectively building on top of each other. But the modern computer is more than just the sum of its myriad pieces.
Beneath the layers of incredible technology lies a testament to the power of two separate fields coming together, science and art—complementing and pushing each other further in ways that would have been impossible without one another.
By pairing two unrelated disciplines, unbelievable achievement can happen.
Leonardo da Vinci
While Leonardo da Vinci is best known for his exceptional ability to paint, his artistic works wouldn’t have been possible without the influence of science. He conducted detailed studies of plants, animals, and geological formations, leading to remarkable advancements in biology and geology. His notebooks, a demonstration of his holistic approach to knowledge, reveal detailed observations and sketches, making them artistic pieces in their own right.
Through a deep understanding of his studies, da Vinci enhanced his artistic expression, and vice versa. Whether he knew it or not, he was able to merge art and science, excelling in both fields in ways that complemented each other.
Da Vinci's ability to unite his interests not only shaped his own legacy but also laid the foundation for future generations to explore the interconnectedness of disciplines.
Ada Lovelace
In 1842-43, some 320 years after da Vinci’s death, Ada Lovelace wrote her famous notes on the “Analytical Engine”—a mechanical computer design by Charles Babbage. These notes included an algorithm considered to be the first computer program ever written, creating the groundwork for modern computing and programming languages.
But Ada wasn’t only working the analytical left side of her brain, as her science-passionate mother wanted her to.
Inspired by her father's poetic imagination, Ada Lovelace cultivated a love for art, alongside mathematics and logic, giving her a unique mindset of 'poetical science,' as described by author Walter Isaacson.
Ada's understanding of mathematics and her artistic creativity led her to envision the potential of Charles Babbage's Analytical Engine-computer beyond mere calculations. It would be another hundred years before the first computer, the ENIAC, was invented. However, as early as the 1840s, when the computer was nothing more than an imaginary concept, Ada recognized that this machine could process not only numbers but also symbols, music, and language.
Ada's visionary insights and her ability to bridge the worlds of science and art were a prophecy of things to come.
Steve Jobs
Technology alone wasn’t enough—humans wanted more. That’s the conclusion Steve Jobs came to after co-founding Apple Inc. in 1976 alongside Steve Wozniak and Ronald Wayne. Technological products had to be seamlessly integrated with beautiful design. Products should not only function flawlessly but also delight users aesthetically.
Jobs played a crucial role in developing some of Apple's most iconic products, such as the iPhone, iPad, and Macintosh computers. These devices were not merely gadgets but rather expressions of artistry and functionality combined.
The focus on merging technology and design elevated Apple's products to a new standard and set them apart, while also influencing the entire technology industry.
Walter Isaacson writes in his book “The Innovators”: “I was struck by how the truest creativity of the digital age came from those who were able to connect the arts and sciences.”
Steve Jobs was such a man, standing at the very intersection of these domains.
To end
This essay has revealed the power of uniting science and art—mathematics and poetry, technology and design. But the real inspiration lies in the pending potential of bringing together our own two seemingly unrelated sets of skills, regardless of fields or domains.
Tim Ferriss calls this being a 'specialized generalist.' It's where you pair two valuable skills that are rarely seen together—but are more valuable together, like the way artist Banksy combines painting with social commentary.
Competing in a single-skill field is hard. Being a top painter, writer, accountant, photographer, psychologist, you name it, is incredibly difficult. While it's not a universally adopted goal to be the best, even being in the top 20% is still challenging. However, once you combine two skills, you'll set yourself apart. The formerly overcrowded competition is now significantly less crowded, or better yet, you've escaped the competition altogether.