Are you a well rounded individual? (From a quote by Robert Heinlein)

I've never planed an invasion, but I've played a lot of war games! (like that counts) I've never died gallantly, but I guess that's something you only get the chance to do once. I can design a building, or build a wall, but I wouldn't be fantastic at it. They'd only be functional. *** daver, how did you learn to butcher a hog?

somehow I read that as "butcher a dog" at first. Not so good wiht the diaper thing. Dunno that I'd die gallantly, and doubt that I'd fight efficiently unless I was planning rather than doing. My sonnet might not be good but it'd probably scan properly. I can definitely program a computer and solve equations and analyze things. I think I could design a shed.

I know when to hold them, when to fold them, and when to simply walk away. I think I could lead a horse to water, but I do not think I could make it drink...thats about it.

15 out of 21. Given my pacifist tendencies, I would say the choices are a tad skewed, but maybe that's just me.

Most of these I haven't tried. I checked the ones that I think I could do well enough to get by if the need arose. (E.g. I believe I could frob a makeshift splint for a simple fracture until I or the victim could get to a doctor for a proper job.) Simple equations only, please--no diffEQ. But I cook a damn tasty meal!

I don't know how efficiently I can really fight (it's been a long time). I'm not a very good programmer but if it is a reasonably straightforward task, I could do it. I could set a bone, but I wouldn't be very pleased about it (i.e. if there was anyone else around I'd ask them to). I could plan an invasion -- I'm not certain I could plan a =successful= invasion, though. :)
I know how to butcher half hogs... I had 11 half pigs in my (parents') kitchen once.
I never tried conning a ship bigger than a speedboat, but I can drive one of those.

I can cook a tasty meal, write a sonnet, balance accounts, cooperate, give orders, take orders, act alone, analyze a new problem, solve equations, program a computer (to a limited extent). Some things, I probably could do, but would refuse on moral grounds (such as butchering a hog, or planning an invasion). Some I could do but would refuse to demonstrate on "yuck, no thanks" grounds (such as changing a diaper or pitching manure). Some I could do in a bind, but not necessarily well (set a bone, comfort the dying). Some I could patently not do (design a building, conn a ship -- whatever that means). Some of the options don't really mean much to me (what does "fight efficiently" mean? The words "efficient" and "fight" just do not work together for me). P.S. exactly how are we supposed to know if we could "die gallantly" or not?? has anyone here tried it? :)

Specialization is for insects

jack of all trades, master of none.

I think I can do everything if I've the necessity (you haven't specified if I can do it right, only if I can do it, isn't?)

You didn't say if we have to be able to do these things WELL. Anyone can do something badly. I wrote a decent sonnet in high school - it even got into Pathways. I can cooperate, but often I choose not to.

I am a Renaissance Man, like my ancestors before me :)

I chose all, but it's a matter of degree! I can plan and build a cabin, but not a skyscraper. I can butcher a hog, although maybe not neatly. I can set a bone "as a Girl Scout" so the person doesn't die, but it won't be as pretty as a doctor's. Some I'm great at - computer programming, cooking, acting alone, balancing books. I can sail a small boat, but probably not an aircraft carrier :) Diapers? In my sleep ;) And I've pitched more manure than I care to remember.

You didn't ask if I could do them well.

I don't see what all the fighting and killing has to do with being well-rounded. Unless one meant "well-rounded butt-hole".

Can't do seven of them.

I don't know that I could die gallantly, haven't tried yet. Anything that requires specific training (conning a ship, designing a house, prgramming a computer) I can't do, but could do minimally if given some training. So no, I am not a well rounded individual by Heinlein's terms.***BadtzMaru: the ability to fight and kill doesn't make one an butt-hole, it makes one able to defends one's self.

How can you say whether or not you can die gallantly?

act alone, and die gallantly

Heinlein was a reactionary bastard with a small-minded and parochial view of the world that didn't extend too far past the end of his nose.

But maybe I'm just opinionated.

Heh.. plan an invasion of what?? ;)

Lots of things in here which I can't do, but could do -- the distinction is that I know where to find out how to do it, and can learn easily. That suffices, in my book.

These choices were taken from a quote by Robert Heinlein (the one that ends "Specialization is for insects.")
I think they're a very eclectic mix of human skills, but I don't feel that knowing them all makes you "well-rounded" any more than not knowing one precludes you from being "well-rounded".
**milktree: I've never butchered a hog. I've butchered smaller things and I'm good at going from big chunks of meat to edible pieces...That's one of the ones that I'm "fairly certain that I could do".
**reality: "I do not think that word means what you think it means."

moderately well rounded. some I could attempt, but the result wouldn't be worth it. **mute: Heinlein was a product of his times. he was jingoistic, but that is kind of to be expected. a lot of his focus was on self reliance. basically, you should be capable of doing anything that is needed, you shouldn't count on others doing it for you. it is a decent attitude, but he carried it to extremes at times. **Daver- I thought it meant male oriented and warlike... Webster's says "extreme chauvinism or nationalism marked especially by a belligerent foreign policy", very similar. it is true of Heinlein, just not in the way I was using it.

I'm The Man

Most of these I'm extrapolating on, having never tried. Some of them I won't do well (e.g., give orders, build a wall...)

I guess I'm nicely rounded, but not well rounded.

Wow, I'm very well rounded. I checked all but six.

Whoops, I've done one more of these now, so I get to check it off. I still won't check things (pitch manure is the most popular of these) which I could do, but haven't.

I'm a little more round than I'd like. I wish I was a little flatter in some areas.