Rick,
I don't disagree with anything you say. However, I think it was Wells who said "the essence of civilization is specialization". The ability to focus is important. Architects don't make the paper for their blueprints, nor surgeons the instruments they use. Neither of them would see much value if offered the ability to do so. Seems a reasonable POV to me.
Regards
j.R
"... They ne'er cared for us
yet: suffer us to famish, and their store-houses
crammed with grain; make edicts for usury, to
support usurers; repeal daily any wholesome act
established against the rich, and provide more
piercing statutes daily, to chain up and restrain
the poor. If the wars eat us not up, they will; and
there's all the love they bear us."
-- Shakespeare: Coriolanus, Act 1, scene 1