Mar 5 2011: Very interesting observation, of course its due to the the very "closed" education systems in practice today. In the latter stages of High School you are forced to pick a very limited amount of subjects (at least in Australia anyway) and these subjects must satisfy prerequisites for the University Course you desire to attend. So right from about the age of 15 most students are restricted from pursuing all of their interests in an official academic way, of course you may pursue such interests in you free time but now with 4 year Bachelor Degree Courses as well as further postgraduate research required to be able to participate in most technical professions, its easy to see way we have a lack of polymaths in modern society. The ability and enthusiasm is there for numerous individuals but they just aren't being given the form of education they require to reach their potential.
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A comment on Conversation: Where Did All the Polymaths Go?