Medieval Times immensely shaped European culture. One aspect of medieval influence was that of the renaissance era. The renaissance was a time of rebirth, which allowed European nations to focus on democracy as well as gain an understanding of humanism, self-awareness and exact science (Penn State, n.d.). All of these traits are strongly represented in leadership today. The renaissance taught us what it means to be a good leader and how to revolutionize industries while using creativity and positivity.
Elkann, (2016) explained that the renaissance has impacted our current culture by creating a space to be “good, beautiful and healthy”. He speaks about these being qualities that we actively search for in leadership. The good represents being ethical and positive. It is important for leaders to consider how they treat people rather than refer back to a Machiavellian way. The beautiful reflects innovation. We live in a time characterized by innovation. This can be seen in art and technology, much like the renaissance. People are focused on using their unique talents to expand people’s world view and ways of doing things. Finally, the importance of being healthy. People are at the forefront of understanding the need for respect and to create a world that provides opportunities for everyone and wants to put everyone’s well-being above all. Just like the renaissance people are longing to bring out the best in our world and people.
Many scholars believe that we have entered the second renaissance. Although the renaissance was known as an era of beauty and innovation there was also a struggle to get there. People began challenging the way things were governed and the vast inequality that was apparent throughout Europe (Calhoun, 2016). This is now currently being revisited as people globally are starting to recognize the inequality in the world. This can be seen in government, wealth, and basic human rights (Calhoun, 2016). We are noticing a trend that people are taking any measures they can to ensure peace in their lifetime. They wish for technological and environmental innovation as well as equality for all. Scholars therefore believe that this era in history has the ability to be one of the best or worst (Goldin & Kutarna, 2016). With the mass recognition of inequality yet advancements in innovation we have the ability to come together to create the second renaissance.
The renaissance was defined by beauty and innovation. It was an era that allowed people to create, express and strive for a better world. This was not met with immediate ease but the population sat in this discomfort and fought for a better life. Because of this we were able to see a cultural shift that shaped Europe today. We are now facing a similar time of innovation and struggle. People want equality and people want to live a life of good, beauty, and health. Right now we are on the verge of shaping the second renaissance, which will hopefully positively impact our future global culture.
References:
Calhoun, C. (2016). Are we really living in the age of the second Renaissance? Retrieved November 20th, 2019 from https://www.newstatesman.com/culture/books/2016/06/are-we-really-living-age-second-renaissance.
Elkann, L. (2016). What lessons on leadership can we learn from the Renaissance? Retrieved November 20th, 2019 from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2016/06/what-lessons-on-leadership-can-we-learn-from-the-renaissance/
Goldin, I. & Kutarna, C. (2016). Are We Living in a New Renaissance? Retrieved November 20th, 2019 from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-we-living-in-a-new-renaissance/.
Penn State (n.d.). Medieval Influence. Retrieved November 20th, 2019 from https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2008449/modules/items/27027020.
Hi Tia,
What a beautifully written post, your explanation of how we are currently in the midst of a modern day renaissances was inspiring and enlightening. Your citation and comment about what defined this period in history, “a time of rebirth, understanding humanism, and self-awareness” (Penn State, n.d.), and that we are now in a modern renaissance, sparked my interest. Being an artist at heart the renaissance although harsh times was a period of creativity and inspiration. What drove these masterpieces of the renaissance, creative geniuses, Ancient Aliens? This time period was very tumultuous that was “marked by historic milestones and discoveries, but there was also wrenching upheaval” (Golden & Kutama, 2016). We are also experiencing an upheaval with people demanding a change in the historical political ineptness of our government, but at the same time those who held onto that power for so long are manipulating the masses for their own self survival and not for the good of the people. The world is smaller thanks to technology and the global market place that was opened significantly 500 years ago by water travel and the discovery of new lands.
Stephanie Storey has a blog titled Oil and Marble where she clearly identifies 10 significant comparable areas that is eye opening to this fact of a new renaissance is accruing now. In this blog she speaks about “democratization of information, dirty politics, Nationalism versus globalism, alternative facts and fake news, Me-centered culture, idealism of the past, fame obsessed, joining of art and science, hubs of creativity, and an explosion of invention, March 2017). It is so clear reading this blog that we are in a renaissance. There is also a book by Ian Golden and Chris Kutana called “Age of Discovery where they more completely go into detail and compare the trials and tribulations of the renaissance times with events occurring today and how this turmoil “forces humanity to give its best just when the stakes are highest” (2017). Being a creative optimistic I believe that although it is scary and uncomfortable amazing things of beauty and innovation will arise out if this time.
References
Goldin, I. & Kutarna, C. (2016). Are We Living in a New Renaissance? Retrieved November 20th, 2019 from https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-we-living-in-a-new-renaissance/.
Goldin, I. (2017); Age of Discovery retrieved https://iangoldin.org/books/age-of-discovery/
Penn State (n.d.). Medieval Influence. Retrieved November 20th, 2019 from https://psu.instructure.com/courses/2008449/modules/items/27027020.
Storey, S. March 2017; 10 Ways our World is Like the Renaissance, Oil and Marble. Retrieved from https://oilandmarble.com/2017/03/06/10-ways-our-world-is-like-the-renaissance/