What does it mean to be a 21st century Renaissance woman? In a world in which easy labels proliferate and categorization is key, this one harks back to another time. One in which wide-ranging knowledge rather than specialism was revered. The notion of the Renaissance man, epitomised by Leonardo da Vinci, is rooted in a passion for learning across disciplines – a desire to gain a glimpse of the vast complexity of the world in all its breath-taking, bewildering bounty.
I have struggled with this natural tendency to generalism all my life. It has lead me to work in fields as diverse as neuroscience research; IT recruitment, teaching and now journalism, across three continents, in five different countries. The path of a generalist is not an easy one – the ideal of the ’rounded man’, like so many other things, is a relic of days gone by. But it does provide those of us who stubbornly persist on such a path with a richness of experience and wealth of insights for which few substitutes suffice.
With this in mind, let me tell you a bit about my blog, Souwie on… I draw my inspiration from people – real, amazing, diverse, funny, brave, difficult people. Activists, politicians, entrepreneurs and academics are all featured here. As a freelance journalist I am inspired by the diversity and dynamism, the power and the progress of Life. All those I interview and write about here inspire me with their knowledge, passion and compassion. I think of these people as real experts in the sense that they have unique, first-hand knowledge and experience of issues that affect all of us. They have ‘skin in the game’.
Stay with me for the journey. I promise to keep you informed on all manner of subject, often current, sometimes profound, always interesting. Souwie on … aims to both enlighten and inspire! Ask questions, comment on what you like and what you don’t like too. Debate and discussion are the spice of life and Souwie on… thrives on them!