The Problem with Specialization

While specialization is generally more efficient, it also has its problems. These are the primary problems I see occurring throughout industry, history, and society.

1) Specialization is Boring:

It is incredibly boring to stick with one narrow

range. This applies mostly to industrial specialization ― mass production. Standing there doing the same thing all the time drives a person crazy. When Henry Ford introduced it he had to pay each worker twice the average wage to keep his factories going.

2) Specialization Reduces Creativity:

Creativity is the applying of new patterns to a set of objects. If you are specializing then you are not being exposed to new patterns as every relevant pattern has already been tried. one would have to branch out to others sets of ideas to find new patterns to try. This branching is generalizing, not specializing.

3) Specialization Reduces System Fluidity:

Imagine if everyone in an engineering office each spoke different languages. They wouldn't be able to work together at all and the entire system stops. This is what specialization creates. Each field has its own jargon and ways of thinking that hinder the movement throughout the system. Highly inefficient as any movement has to go through several people, wastes time, and makes anything one person does affect them only indirectly. This indirectness decreases motivation and the need to do something correctly.