As a student of the physics program in the college I eventually obtained my degree from (not in physics, to the dismay of my advisor), I observed my fellow students in the department and lamented "Can they not see beyond the boundaries of this discipline?" Each seemed completely absorbed in the topic at hand. Other subjects were merely requirements to be tolerated as necessary for graduation, mere distractions from Physics.

How was it possible that Art, Music, Literature, and Philosophy held nothing for them? What brand of blinkers did they wear on their minds to leave them entirely unaware of the incredible sweep of knowledge available to them and the promise that it held?

Many experiences in the intervening years have made me question the deconstructivist nature of so many fields of study, that same nature my peers fell victim to. Each experience brings dismay as I reflect on the history of discovery and innovation that we have inherited. Does no one see the danger? Surely I must not be the only human being alive enough to see trouble in our future.

Is it deconstructivism I fear? No, not in and of itself; rather I fear the isolation that it brings forth, craftily hiding in its shadow.

I surmised early in my college days that creativity was catalyzed by wide-ranging scholarship. In my experience creative individuals are those we mistakenly term "dabblers." Their deep and intricate knowledge of a specific subject coexists with an understanding of many other topics. They are aware, not only of that which lies beyond their specialty, but of the connections between otherwise unrelated fields of study and their own. They are not isolated.

It has been theorized that all new inventions are merely new combinations of old ideas. Although this idea didn't serve the U. S. Patent office very well when it decided, nearly one hundred years ago, that everything had been invented, there is still merit in the theory.

Fundamental discoveries are still made about the basic nature of matter and being. These discoveries, however, don't keep the Patent Office busy. Creativity does. Individuals who have allowed themselves to see beyond the boundaries to where new possiblities lie in wait keep us moving forward. New combinations of old discoveries made by people whose awareness allows them to make the connections.

The world needs more Renaissance Men.