[EMRo]

I agree with the general sentiment of this post but I don't think a polymath is necessarily one who is an 'expert' in multiple fields. It isn't as much about the learning and mastery as it is about the interconnections between disciplines.

I think of a polymath as one who is able to gain a level of expertise and understanding across several disciplines. The polymath then uses that knowledge to generate new insights and interesting innovations or even new fields of study between and across disciplines.

Check out the book 'Mastery' which is -- as you might guess -- about the process to attaining mastery in any subject. It delves into the history of the 'great masters' including Michaelangelo etc and discusses how they utilized cross-discipline thinking to take each of their crafts to new levels. Very cool stuff.