Tho there is a reason generals run armies and specialist is a grade above private.

Sean,

Consider putting the notion in the context of Stephen Jay Gould’s “Punctuated equilibrium.” The equilibrium stage selects for complexity and specialization, as every possible niche and resource is being filled and used. Which sets the stage for the punctuation, as all the participants become ever more adapted to narrow talents and abilities, so that when particular necessary resources, whether energy or space, start to run low, or are otherwise disrupted, many lack the skills to adapt, so adaptability becomes what is selected, in the punctuation phase. These are not necessarily polymaths, in the sense of have a broad range of developed talents, but can be flexible enough to adapt to changing circumstance.

The fact remains that each of us is a very finite amount of abilities and we adjust them accordingly. The best generalists are children, as they have the broadest options open to them, like stem cells. We adult cells get washed out in the occasional reset.