Contemporary Polymaths – Who is Nathan Myhrvold?

Nathan Myhrvold’s Wikipedia entry says that he was born in 1959, in Seattle, Washington but was raised in Santa Monica. He graduated from high school in 1974 and at the age of 14 went to college - studying mathematics, geophysics and space physics at UCLA and then mathematical economics and applied maths at Princeton. His doctoral dissertation titled "Vistas in curved space-time quantum field theory” was followed by a postdoctoral fellowship at Cambridge working under Stephen Hawking. That is extraordinary, but not necessarily polymathic.

Myhrvold left Cambridge to cofound Dynamical Systems Research Inc. (DSR), which was bought by Microsoft in 1986. He then worked at Microsoft for 13 years, led the development of many early initiatives in areas like artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and multimedia. and became the company's first chief technology officer in 1996.

Again, ground-breaking … but is he a polymath? During a conversation with ChatGPT we also find out that Nathan Myhrvold - entrepreneur, scientist, author and inventor – is also known for his contributions to food science, paleontology (he has co-authored research papers on dinosaurs suggesting that some dinosaurs snapped their tails like whips and positing theories of mating behavior), disease control and climate science. He is also a prize-winning nature photographer and barbecue world champion. So, now he gets even more interesting.

Nathan Myhrvold  and dinosaurs …

Myhrvold is a passionate chef and food scientist, and co-authored the influential Modernist Cuisine: The Art and Science of Cooking in 2011, a massive, scientifically rigorous cookbook series that explores the science behind cooking techniques, and set a new standard for scientific rigor in cooking. His in-depth understanding of chemistry, physics, and microbiology enabled him to innovate in cooking techniques, and his books have been celebrated for their innovative recipes, cutting-edge techniques, and deep dives into food science.

Beyond recipes, the Modernist Cuisine series is known for its visually stunning photography, much of which was produced by Myhrvold himself using advanced photographic techniques. His role as a food photographer in the Modernist Cuisine books illustrates his proficiency in visual arts, as he uses advanced photographic techniques to showcase food in ways rarely seen in traditional culinary photography.

Nathan Myhrvold’s career reflects an unusual blend of high technology, scientific curiosity, and culinary artistry, making him a unique figure at the intersection of science, technology, and creative expression. Myhrvold holds hundreds of patents himself, spanning fields from cooking technology to nuclear reactor design, and even methods to manage mosquito populations to reduce the spread of malaria.

So yes, Myhrvold is widely considered a polymath. His deep expertise across multiple fields demonstrates his ability to master diverse disciplines, a hallmark of polymathy. This combination of scientific knowledge, technical skill, and artistic creativity makes him one of the modern examples of a true polymath, contributing meaningfully to multiple disciplines and industries. And Nathan Myhrvold’s journey as a polymath offers several valuable lessons, especially for anyone looking to cultivate knowledge across multiple fields.

Follow Your Curiosity, Even If It Leads in Different Directions: Myhrvold’s pursuits—from theoretical physics to high-tech software development, and later into culinary arts—show the power of embracing diverse interests. Rather than focusing narrowly on one area, he has continually followed what piqued his curiosity.

Modernist Cuisine is filled with novel solutions to culinary challenges, many of which stem from Myhrvold’s background in physics and engineering. His approach to cooking involved unconventional techniques like freeze-drying, ultrasonics, and centrifuging, which require thinking beyond traditional culinary methods. This mindset of exploring unconventional solutions transfers directly to tech. Whether it’s rethinking infrastructure, algorithms, or patents, his inventive approach to problem-solving in the kitchen likely translates into innovative technological solutions, enabling him to approach tech problems from fresh, interdisciplinary angles.

Allow yourself to explore new fields without immediate pressure to be an expert. Begin by reading, experimenting, or taking courses in areas you’re curious about, even if they’re unrelated to your main career.

Learn Deeply, Not Just Widely: Myhrvold’s contributions reflect not just breadth, but also depth in each area. He doesn’t just dabble; he becomes highly knowledgeable, be it in patent law, cooking science, or software development.

Aim to build a foundation in any new field you enter, understanding not just "what" but "why" and "how." Seek out foundational books, courses, or mentors in each field to gain a strong grasp of core principles.

Embrace the Intersection of Fields: Much of Myhrvold’s impact stems from combining knowledge across fields, such as applying scientific principles to cooking in Modernist Cuisine or using software concepts in physical sciences. By connecting the dots, he created innovative solutions and new ways of thinking.

The creation of Modernist Cuisine required expertise in many areas—culinary science, chemistry, physics, photography, publishing, and more. Myhrvold’s ability to bridge these fields and work collaboratively with experts reflects his capacity to integrate diverse knowledge bases.

This collaborative, interdisciplinary approach is highly relevant to tech innovation, which often involves bringing together experts from various domains. His experience managing diverse teams and synthesizing different fields of knowledge likely improves his ability to lead technology projects that require cross-functional expertise, such as complex software development or patent management at Intellectual Ventures.

Look for ways to integrate knowledge from different areas. For example, if you’re interested in both psychology and technology, think about how they could overlap—like in user experience design or artificial intelligence.

Cultivate Intellectual Flexibility: Myhrvold’s willingness to jump from high technology to culinary arts shows intellectual flexibility. This openness to change, and comfort with shifting between different ways of thinking, is essential for polymathy.

Myhrvold’s work in food and photography emphasizes the sensory and aesthetic experiences alongside scientific principles. In Modernist Cuisine, he balances scientific detail with the artistry of cooking, creating a user-centric experience for chefs and readers.

Myhrvold’s understanding of how to create experiences that are not only functional but also aesthetically engaging could influence user interface (UI) and user experience (UX) design in tech products, making them more intuitive and enjoyable for users.

Practice switching your mindset. Challenge yourself to solve problems using different perspectives or approaches. This can involve studying topics outside your comfort zone, or even trying creative hobbies that exercise a different part of your brain.

Invest Time in Both Creation and Exploration: Myhrvold devotes himself not only to learning but also to creating—whether it’s patents, inventions, or a groundbreaking cookbook. His career reflects a balance of exploring new ideas and producing impactful work.

Set aside time to experiment and “create” in each field. This could be through projects, writing, teaching, or building something tangible. The act of creating can deepen your understanding and reveal new insights.

Value the Scientific Method in Any Field: Myhrvold brings a scientific rigor to every area he explores, treating culinary arts, for instance, as a science to be tested and understood. This analytical approach allows him to break down complex concepts and develop new techniques.

By rigorously applying the scientific method, Myhrvold is able to demystify and explain why certain techniques work. This approach challenges traditional practices, inviting questions and further exploration. Questioning assumptions, testing hypotheses, and iterating on results are essential to progress, and Myhrvold’s scientific discipline reinforces these methods. This approach helps ensure that technological advancements are robust, validated, and based on empirical evidence.

Try using a systematic approach to learning, no matter the subject. Test assumptions, experiment, and seek evidence-based answers. Even in creative fields, having a structured approach can help you gain mastery more effectively.

Foster a Lifelong Learning Mindset: Myhrvold exemplifies a commitment to lifelong learning, consistently seeking new knowledge and skills. This mindset fuels his ability to tackle complex problems and innovate in unexpected ways.

Treat learning as a continual journey. Aim to read regularly, stay up-to-date with research or advancements in multiple fields, and periodically refresh your skills in each area you’re interested in.

Stay Open to Risk and Innovation: Myhrvold left a secure position at Microsoft to launch Intellectual Ventures, and later took risks in publishing Modernist Cuisine, a hugely ambitious and expensive project. His willingness to take risks led to groundbreaking achievements.

Don’t be afraid to pursue projects that may seem risky or unconventional. Challenge yourself to go beyond what’s safe or typical in your work, as these pursuits often lead to the most valuable experiences and insights.

Use Your Knowledge to Make an Impact: Myhrvold hasn’t just acquired knowledge for its own sake; he’s used it to tackle real-world problems, from patents that support inventors to innovations in public health.

Aim to apply what you learn in ways that benefit others. Think about how your knowledge and skills could solve problems or inspire positive change, even on a small scale.

Surround Yourself with Knowledgeable People: Myhrvold has worked alongside innovators and thinkers, from Stephen Hawking to the world’s top chefs. These associations have likely fueled his growth and helped him pursue diverse interests.

Seek out communities or networks in each area you’re interested in. Collaborating with others helps you learn faster and can spark new ideas and projects that you might not have pursued alone.

A polymathic approach doesn’t mean you need to achieve expertise in every area immediately. Rather, it’s about embracing curiosity, learning deeply, and finding ways to weave together knowledge from different fields to make unique and meaningful contributions.

The example of Nathan Myhrvold highlights how a polymathic approach creates a feedback loop between diverse skills, where insights from one field inform and deepen work in others. So in Myhrvold’s case expertise in cooking and photography (or for that matter, paleontology, disease control and/or climate science) doesn’t just make him versatile; it enhances his tech work by encouraging creativity, precision, and a deep appreciation for the interplay between aesthetics and functionality. These skills help him approach technology with a distinctive, multifaceted perspective that is both user-focused and scientifically rigorous.