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A Second Renaissance

I lay on the hard ground, feeling my body getting stiffer with every second. As I stared up

at the paper above me, I tried to make sense of the indecipherable scribbles I had made on it. I

glanced around, and saw that the other kids seemed to be struggling as much as I was. With a

soft sigh, I reached back up and continued to draw. My third-grade class was in the middle of a

lesson about the Renaissance, and we were drawing on papers taped to the bottom of our desks,

attempting to replicate how Michelangelo painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. As my

colored pencil broke yet again, I found it difficult to believe that this was at all similar to

Michelangelo’s experience. This project, along with a brief description of Leonardo da Vinci,

was the extent of my learning about the Renaissance in school.

Years later, I walked into my living room while a documentary about the Renaissance

was playing on the TV. After watching a few minutes of detailed descriptions of Leonardo da

Vinci and Michelangelo’s works, I realized that people rarely look at the big picture when

talking about the Renaissance, like why the Renaissance happened. Why were people suddenly

obsessed with art? Why did artists want to simulate ancient Greek and Roman culture? Why did

the Renaissance occur when it did, instead of a few hundred years before or after? Why was this

explosion of art centered in Europe? To me, these seemed like crucial aspects of the Renaissance

that were left out of most discussions.

Furthermore, how do we know that we are not in a second Renaissance right now? After

all, it seems unlikely that most people living in the Renaissance would realize that anything

special was happening. Could we be in the middle of another cultural explosion and just not

know it? Modern technology allows us to instantly share information with people across the

world, and we have access to art from almost any time period. With this constant exposure to

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different varieties of art, it seems that we could be in another period of “rebirth”. These thoughts

led me to ask the question: What factors cause societies to go through periods of rapid cultural

growth like the Renaissance, and are we currently in a second Renaissance?

In order to answer this question, one must first have some background knowledge about

the Renaissance. While there was no specific start or end to the Renaissance, most historians

agree that it spanned from the 14th century to the 17th century. During this period, Europe

experienced a cultural awakening; there was rapid expansion of art, science, and social values.

Suddenly, an emphasis was placed on developing the whole mind, rather than what is required

for one’s trade. Artists like Leonardo da Vinci and Michelangelo became examples of the

“perfect man”, skilled across a wide variety of areas and always striving to learn. Scholars

became enthralled in the past and attempted to replicate the societies of Ancient Greece and

Rome (Gilbert).

Looking back on the Renaissance, many people view it as almost utopic, and it is easy to

assume that social stability is what allowed the period to be so innovative. In reality, the world

was anything but settled; disease, war, and religious tension were all rampant in Europe during

this time. England and France were constantly fighting in what became known as the Hundred

Years’ War, which made life very difficult for many citizens. The two countries, despite their

cultural and philosophical “rebirth”, were locked in an endless fight over land and power; in The

History of the Renaissance World, Susan Bauer writes that, “The will to war had outlived four

kings, two treaties, and the bubonic plague; no matter how impoverished both countries were,

they would continue to fight” (523). In addition to England and France, Italy, often considered

the center of the Renaissance, was involved in extended war and internal political conflict,

including “constantly shifting alliances and treacherous diplomatic dealings” (“The High

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Renaissance”). In addition to war, the start of the Renaissance was coincident with the Black

Death. According to some historians, the plague may have even caused the Renaissance:

“Widespread death eroded the strict hereditary class divisions that had, for centuries, bound

peasants to land owned by local lords” (Woodville). This marked the end of feudalism and gave

commoners the ability to make a better life for themselves and their children. Wages skyrocketed

due to the lack of available workers, and suddenly the quality of life for the lower class was

much better. Commoners now had the resources to enjoy and take part in the arts (Woodville).

This suggests that events that cause massive upheaval, like war and disease, are what allow for

periods of widespread cultural growth like the Renaissance; despite an age of turmoil and

political disunity, philosophy, art, and science were all able to advance expeditiously.

Of course, extensive change cannot be the only cause of Renaissance-like cultural

growth. There must be other requirements, or else there would have been hundreds of

Renaissances throughout history. One characteristic that separated the Renaissance from other

time periods was the invention of the printing press. Books, once a rarity, were now able to be

produced by the thousands, and eventually millions. Whereas previously only noblemen and

scholars could collect manuscripts, reading became a possibility for all classes, and self-

education became viable (Gilbert). In an interview with Dr. Henrike Lange, a professor of art

history at UC Berkeley, she stated that, “While the average person may have not realized they

were in the middle of a period of artistic rebirth, they definitely would have realized that the

world was better off than the years before.” She elaborated that this period was a time of great

social and cultural awakening, but that not everyone would have realized it. The printing press

allowed more people to participate in the arts than ever before, causing widespread appreciation

for art and science and helping social advocates to spread their message. As more and more

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people were able to share their opinions with the world, a new set of ideals rose. These ideals

included a renewed emphasis on learning and a reverent view of Ancient Greece and Rome

(“The High Renaissance”). However, people did not always come to an agreement on the perfect

world. For example, when Martin Luther argued for church reform, he created a split in religion,

further dividing the people. Whether or not it created a consensus, the development of the

printing press connected the world and allowed for the transfer of ideas and philosophies,

sparking a wave of globalization unlike any seen before.

Arguably the most important part of the Renaissance was the development of free

thought and the departure from universally accepted “truths”. During this time period, many of

Europe’s ideological beliefs were turned upside-down. Each discovery inspired someone else to

investigate a new area, and a self-feeding loop of discovery began. In the late 15th century, the

New World was discovered, along with new trade routes. The “known world” turned out to be

less than half of the entire world, completely changing people’s outlook on life. In the early 16th

century Copernicus developed his theory of a “sun-centered cosmos” (Goldin and Kutarna).

People were now told that not only was the earth not the center of the universe, but also the earth

was not actually standing still. Galileo built off of these ideas and meticulously observed planets

and stars, while Kepler determined that planets orbit the Sun in an elliptical shape (“The

Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution”). Around the same time, studies of biology showed

people that the heart was simply a pump, rather than the location of the soul, a revolutionary

concept to many (Goldin and Kutarna). As these new ideas developed, they were quickly spread

throughout the world. People’s views of commonly accepted ideas began to change, and they

began to think for themselves. This is the essence of the Renaissance; an era when people

developed into thinkers, reasoners, and philosophers.

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Although it is impossible to know exactly what caused the Renaissance to happen,

several key factors were instrumental in its development. Disease and political insecurity opened

way for an era of change. New technology, like the printing press, allowed for the easy exchange

of ideas. Artists, philosophers, and scientists paved the way for the others to follow.

Examining today’s society, it seems that we have many of the same circumstances that

led to the Renaissance. Carbon pollution and waning resources are completely changing our

society, driving companies to come up with innovative “green” designs for machines. According

to the American Chemical Society, carbon dioxide concentration has risen more in the past two

decades than in any previous millenium (“What Are the Greenhouse Gas Changes”). If pollution

continues at the rate it is going, the effects of global warming will wreak havoc on the

environment. We are being forced to abandon coal and oil as the primary source of energy, and it

is likely that many people will need to reduce their reliance on modern technology as the world

transfers to alternative power. This change is coming none too soon; the effects of global

warming are already starting to hit the world. The number of natural disasters has increased in

recent decades, and the higher temperatures seem to cause “longer heat waves, prolonged periods

of drought and storms packed with additional moisture” (Alexander). In addition to climate

change, the world is becoming increasingly urban. Ian Goldin and Chris Kutarna, authors of Age

of Discovery, claim that “humanity’s shift into cities, begun some 10,000 years ago by our

Neolithic ancestors, crossed the halfway mark in our own lifetimes.” While it is very difficult to

see now, it is possible that these current global trends of urbanization and global warming are

causing our society to enter a second Renaissance, with even more widespread advancement.

In addition, technological discoveries have sparked a new wave of globalization; social

media now connects almost two and a half billion people from across the world (“Social Media

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101”). This rapid transfer of information allows for a new song or picture to be instantly seen by

millions of people from across the world. The world is smaller now than ever before; many

young musicians are launching their careers from YouTube and Soundcloud, and emerging

artists have been able to gain traction in the art community through posting on Instagram. Like

the printing press, the Internet has allowed for the spread of new ideas. Social media is being

used as a platform for social change, and it seems to be working. The world seems to be slowly

moving towards a consensus on many social issues, like an increasing acceptance of minorities

and the LGBT community. Just like during the Renaissance, people are developing new social

ideals. In today’s world, the ideal person is a problem solver, open to new experiences and

unfamiliar cultures.

Finally, the modern age has a huge emphasis on discovery. Every year, scientists discover

ground-breaking information about the world we live in. On September 14, 2015, scientists at the

LIGO lab observed gravitational waves for the first time, finally confirming Albert Einstein’s

prediction (“What Are Gravitational Waves?”). In an interview with Dr. Andrew Minor, a

professor at UC Berkeley, he described several more recent advances in science and engineering.

Every day, researchers make progress on developing gene therapy. 3D printing, once seen as a

longshot, has been widely implemented across a variety of fields. “The rate of discoveries has

really been taking off in recent years,” Dr. Minor stated. This period of rapid discovery has many

parallels with the Renaissance, and has caused people like Ian Goldin and Chris Kutarna, authors

of Age of Discovery, to claim we are in the middle of a second Renaissance. The whole world is

becoming more educated, more adept at problem solving, and that can only be a good sign.

Ultimately, we cannot tell if we are in a period of rebirth like Renaissance. It is only

looking back on history that we will be able to distinguish whether or not we are in the middle of

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a second Renaissance. However, what we can tell gives us very good signs. Technology is

advancing at a speed never before seen, and as we are becoming increasingly connected, we are

developing a new world culture. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter what we call this period. Some

people say it is a second Renaissance, while others call it a Technological Revolution. In the end,

all that matters is that our world is on the brink of something great, a transition into a new epoch

of technology and into a better world.

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Works Cited

Alexander, Kurtis. “Natural Disasters an Increasing Reality.” San Francisco Chronicle, 3

Oct. 2018, www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/Natural-disasters-an-increasing-reality-

13261537.php. Accessed 10 Mar. 2019.

Bauer, Susan W. The History of the Renaissance World: from the Rediscovery of

Aristotle to the Conquest of Constantinople. W.W. Norton & Company, 2013.

Gilbert, Neal W. "Renaissance." Encyclopedia of Philosophy, edited by Donald M.

Borchert, 2nd ed., vol. 8, Macmillan Reference USA, 2006, pp. 421-428. Student

Resources In Context,

http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3446801746/SUIC?u=wal55317&sid=SUIC&xid

=aebda57d. Accessed 7 Feb. 2019.

Goldin, Ian, and Chris Kutarna. “Are We Living in a New Renaissance?” Scientific

American, 24 May 2016, www.scientificamerican.com/article/are-we-living-in-a-new-

renaissance/. Accessed 10 Mar. 2019.

"The High Renaissance in Italy." Arts and Humanities Through the Eras, edited by

Edward I. Bleiberg, et al., vol. 4: Renaissance Europe 1300-1600, Gale, 2005, pp. 386-

398. Student Resources In Context,

http://link.galegroup.com/apps/doc/CX3427400767/SUIC?u=wal55317&sid=SUIC&xid

=9d627805. Accessed 7 Feb. 2019.

Lange, Henrike. Personal Interview. 11 March 2019.

Minor, Andrew. Personal Interview. 8 March 2019.

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“The Renaissance and the Scientific Revolution: The Age of Growth.” Debating Science,

University of Massachusetts, 19 Nov. 2012, blogs.umass.edu/p139ell/2012/11/19/the-

renaissance-and-the-scientific-revolution/. Accessed 10 Mar. 2019.

“Social Media 101.” University Communications and Public Affairs, UC San Diego,

ucpa.ucsd.edu/resources/social/social-101/. Accessed 10 Mar. 2019.

“What Are Gravitational Waves?” LIGO Lab | Caltech, Caltech,

www.ligo.caltech.edu/page/what-are-gw. Accessed 11 Mar. 2019.

“What Are the Greenhouse Gas Changes since the Industrial Revolution?” American Chemical

Society,

www.acs.org/content/acs/en/climatescience/greenhousegases/industrialrevolution.html.

Accessed 11 Mar. 2019.

Woodville, Louisa. “The Black Death.” Khan Academy, Khan Academy,

www.khanacademy.org/humanities/renaissance-reformation/late-gothic-italy/beginners-

guide-late-gothic/a/the-black-death. Accessed 10 Mar. 2019.