A Human Being should...

“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 Anson Heinlein

The trouble with this Heinlein quote is that only RAH himself could come close to being such a renaissance man as to be capable of all these things. I can do a few of these things, and if no one else was available, I might manage a few that are beyond what I have yet done in my aged state. On the other hand that quote is a great, aspirational, romantic view of the 20th century renaissance man's capabilities.

I mention this here because this quote used to be on my personal stationery way back when. I remembered that, and mentioned it to Sue, who is now typesetting me another set for Father's day. It is so good to be loved by capable people.