My guest today, David Epstein, is one of the world's most gifted popularizers of science.

His first book, The Sports Team, examines the role of nature versus nurture in determining

who will excel in sports, and his second book range touts the benefits of being a generalist

in a world-overrun with specialists.

And if you're looking for real world support for Epstein's argument that it pays to be

a generalist, you need look no further than Epstein himself.

He's followed his passion in all sorts of different directions, from being an elite runner

in college to a scientist studying Arctic Flora, to a reboot as a writer for Sports Illustrated,

and now a New York Times best-selling science writer.

Welcome to People I Mostly Admire, with Steve Levitt.

I have a little problem today in interviewing David Epstein.

I agree with too many of his arguments.

For me, it's most fun to have on guests who I deeply admire, but with whom I also have

some disagreements.

I love the uncertainty, will my mind be changed, will the guests might be changed, or will

we agree to disagree?

Well, even if my mind won't be changed today, I know I'll learn a ton because David

Epstein seems to know something about it, just about everything.

I want to talk first about your more recent book entitled Ranged, Wide Generous, Triumph

in a Specialized World.

It was a New York Times best-seller, and I have to say, I think you out-glad-willed Malcolm

Gladwell with that book, which I mean as a compliment, although I'm not sure whether

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