Modern renaissance
Recent developments in communications and technology such as the Internet are accelerating the spread of information and potentially providing global access to a wealth of knowledge. This has caused some to liken the resultant knowledge-based society to the Renaissance that occurred centuries ago.
The explosion of knowledge and sudden importance of scholarship enabled a period of invention unseen for years prior. “Renaissance men” became idealized and developed followings that continue today.
It was thought that a Renaissance man should:
- Be able to defend himself with a variety of weapons, especially the sword
- Be able to play several musical instruments
- Be able to paint and output other works of art
- Be forever interested in advancing knowledge and science
- Be able to engage in debates regarding issues such as philosophy and ethics
- Be a skilled author and poet
The Renaissance man (also called a polymath) is considered to be someone who knows a great deal regarding a variety of topics and excels in multiple intellectual fields, particularly areas of both the arts and the sciences; someone who has broad intellectual interests.
A modern Renaissance person, in addition to the description and skills above, is also thought to need to be:
- Computer literate - attuned to IT developments and at home working and communicating via the Internet
- Mentally literate - appreciating the potential of the human brain, having knowledge of the multiplicity of intelligences, and actively developing accelerated learning techniques as well as creative and critical thinking skills
- Interpersonally aware - understanding the subtleties of interpersonal communications and being skilled in the interpretation of body language and other non-verbal cues
- Globally aware - having an appreciation for global links in communications, economics and ecosystems; being comfortable with different cultures and eschewing racism, sexism, religious persecution, homophobia, nationalism etc.
One of the things that drove Renaissance men in the past and continues to drive the polymaths of today is a persistent quest for knowledge, a perpetual state of learning and seeking to expand one’s mind. Even we don’t strive to the heights of men like Leonardo da Vinci our lives can be enriched by adopting this approach to learning.
Know something about everything and everything about something- T H HuxleyThe only thing that I know is that I know nothing- Socrates
Right now I am feeling kindaexcited and
hyper and
restless...
