Very cool post. I'd call myself a pragmatic generalist.
Only a creative professional can go on for over 2000 well researched words and come to this conclusion:
The T-shaped model suggests that we are all generalists and specialists to some degree. ...The most wide-ranging generalist will usually have one or two favourite specialisms at which s/he excels; and even the most committed specialist will need some grasp of other disciplines if s/he wants to achieve recognition and rewards...
Kind of makes it a non-issue, doesn't it? He's suggesting that people will become whatever they have to in order to pay the bills...or end up starving to death. Yes, this concept does apply to travel writing...and every other profession in the known universe (except union laborers).
I think the more pertinent lesson is this: specialists traditionally make a LOT more money, but can become obsolete at the drop of a hat. "Generalists" (is that, really, even a word?) have much greater room to do what pleases them, albeit for less money.
"To me, ‘creative generalist or specialist?’ is a false dichotomy."
That's the line that resonated most with me. I'd like to think that being broad and deep is possible. ;)
Joined: 04-06-07
Found this very interesting post - http://www.wishfulthinking.co.uk/blog/2008/03/11/is-it-better-to-be-a-creative-generalist-or-a-specialist/ - via Liz's WriteToTravel Blog - http://writetotravel.blogspot.com/
Same concept could be applied to travel writing
Check it out and share your thoughts