It is a common thing for a writer to go through a period of “writer’s block.”  This may be described as a time during which an attempt to create something is met with a lack of inspiration, a lack of motivation, or a sense of weariness.  Many times a writer will fall into a blank stare at a blank page, and add nothing to that page.  Even when there is already something in an author’s mind to say, the task of coming up with a good way to say it can be as daunting as actually getting it written down.

            But what I’m referring to by the term “reader’s block” is a very different thing.  For those among us who are well acquainted with modern novels, my use of this term is a bit different (yet not completely unrelated) from its use by David Markson in his 1996 work of the same title.  I also do not intend it to be taken to mean one of those episodes when the eyes follow along the words of a page while the mind wanders away from it.  Neither am I using it here to describe the tendency of many people to begin a book and never finish it, nor is it the implication that many readers simply mentally block out what they do not wish to see.

            I am using the term “reader’s block” here to describe a defeatist attitude with which many approach certain items of literature.  I occasionally find that people actually do not attempt to read some things which are important for them to know, most often using an excuse like: “I know I’ll never understand this anyway, because ___.”  The blank is then filled in with such statements as: “the writer uses a lot of big words,” or “there’s just too much there to muddle through,” or “that is only written for the experts and not for regular folks like me.”

            Therefore, as I am defining the phrase, it describes a mental block which many people place in their own way as an excuse for not attempting to read and understand something which they may perceive to be difficult, and therefore beyond their grasp.  Perhaps they simply do not wish to apply themselves, or maybe it’s just that they feel that they don’t have the mental capabilities to comprehend it.  This is usually followed by the implication that there will be a need for an interpreter if there will ever be any hope of understanding what is being said.

            I bring this up here because I state in my front page text that I hold two particular writings to be the most important ones for guiding me in how I am to live: the Christian Bible and the U. S. Constitution.  I refer to them as my two “documented models for life and action” and urge the reader to have “an authentic respect for the written standards.”  These are of course not the only important things to read, but I find that there are many who approach these and other books and writings with a shrug of their shoulders and a statement not unlike that of the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8:31, “How can I [understand], except some man should guide me?”

Did you go to school for that?

            To compensate for our self-imposed shortfalls, we allow others to make our minds up for us.  Rather than take the necessary time to make a conscious effort to read and understand these and other essential writings, it is often easier for us to gather “experts” and let them do their indoctrinating.  Our itching ears will then lead us into a naïveté that does not befit an intelligent being.  We become enamored by the titles before a name or the letters after it, and then let those become the qualifications for any person from whom we might seek help.  Our desire to define expertise in this way is now so ingrained that we often show great amazement when a person demonstrates that he or she understands something in a field other than the one which they are associated with by either employment or educational attainment.

            The term “polymath” describes a person who is knowledgeable in many differing fields of intellectual endeavor.  Some people prefer terms like “Renaissance man” or “classical man,” but terms like these are rarely used these days simply because those to whom they might apply are dwindling in number.  “Jack of all trades” would not be an applicable term here, because the complete saying follows it with “master of none;” we are talking here about those who have mastered multiple disciplines to some degree of competence.  Most polymaths are self-taught in several of their areas of study, having attained schooling in one or perhaps a few topics, but then gone on to apply themselves in other areas as well.  Many of the great scientists, clergymen, philosophers and writers of old were polymaths, and many are best remembered in history for things other than those in which they obtained college or university degrees (even though such degrees are not bad things to have).

            Those who are today’s polymaths tend not to be known for their diverse areas of achievement because of the modern, narrow view of our society that genuine expertise is of necessity limited to only one area.  We have become so captivated by the concept of the single-subject expert that when we encounter someone who actually has a degree in more than one field of study we generally are taken aback.  Therefore it tends to fall outside our consideration to attempt to become proficient in topics that differ from the one we consider our primary life’s work.

            So instead of allowing a mental wall to be built between yourself and the potential for furthering your own knowledge or perhaps learning a new skill, please give yourself a chance.  First of course, make sure that this is worthwhile for you; something that you can really see yourself wanting to learn and/or do.  Don’t become impatient, and don’t rush, but make the time and find the energy to move forward.  Start by reading some on-line forums and tutorials, watching videos, or checking out a book geared for basic level instruction.  You may also find that consulting with many people at several different levels within that field to get several perspectives will broaden your thinking (no, that does not necessarily have to be confusing).  “Official experts” or not, their advice may vary, and those who are also new to it can contribute from their perspective; because occasionally the advanced person can get too far ahead of you, whereas another “newbie” might just have a way of communicating that is more on your own level.

            Much of the time, the most daunting part of the task of learning a new thing is the specialized jargon that is used in that field; keeping your own glossary is a useful aid.  A good dictionary can help, even if it is not a specialized one for that subject.  When you come across a particularly resourceful person, you will usually see that he or she is just as eager to help you as you are to get the help.  If you hear conflicting opinions about something, try not to make up your mind too quickly; many people develop their opinions for good reasons, and if for the moment some people’s ideas may sound faulty, we need to keep them “on the shelf” in the back of our minds so that eventually we can ascertain why they came to their conclusions.

Please forgive me for the choice of words which follows