Expertise in one field does not carry over into other fields. But experts often think so. The narrower their field of knowledge the more likely they are to think so.
About this quote
- What does it mean?
- Experts in one area often wrongly assume their knowledge applies elsewhere, especially if their field is narrow.
- In plain terms
- Specialists often think they know other fields too, which is usually wrong.
- What can you take from it?
- Expertise does not automatically transfer across domains.
Where it applies
Putting it to work
Questions to consider
- When can knowledge transfer?
- How do we measure expertise?
Another view
It does not account for cases where skills do transfer effectively.
More from Robert A. Heinlein
Everything in excess! To enjoy the flavor of life, take big bites. Moderation is for monks.
Permalink to quote #82 Get a shot off fast. This upsets him long enough to let you make your second shot perfect.
Permalink to quote #84 Everybody lies about sex.
Permalink to quote #81
Related quotes
What's an expert? I read somewhere, that the more a man knows, the more he knows, he doesn't know. So I suppose one definition of an expert would be someone wh…
Malcolm ForbesMalcolm Forbes quote #44 I speak from ignorance. Who once learned much, but speaks from ignorance now.
Nathaniel TarnNathaniel Tarn quote #1 All that we know is still infinitely less than all that still remains unknown.
William HarveyWilliam Harvey quote #2