From KATHRYN with many thanks:
This video was immensely inspiring, but verges on
overwhelming for me personally. I have these thoughts and desires as well on
how to use art to lift up and inspire society for the better. But how to impart
this as a party of one? Does it start local? I also wonder if Italy still
follows the architectural codes from the Renaissance, and if these codes are
universal and timeless.
It feels to me that our current society has a lack of
ambition and understanding of what it will really take to heal our world, and
that we need a ‘mission’ again as was implemented in the Renaissance. But who
specifically had this vision, and who will step up to the plate now to lead the
new Renaissance? It’s interesting thinking about the idea of approaching
advertising in a new way to not just sell, but inspire a new code of
responsible, sustainable living. Perhaps it is the modern day artists’
responsibility to adjust their messaging in their technological media
platforms. It can start small and catch on like wildfire.
COMMENT and REPLY
This is my wishful thinking, but as a teacher and father of two millennial young women, I draw succor from hearing more and more young people expressing distaste for the current state of affairs, with a split-screen video script in front of their eyes when they think about the future and their role: technology and progress on one side; simplicity of life and ethical values on the other.
Will the millennials be able to reconcile those visions?
My generation has failed miserably at this task.
Hey Kathryn,
ReplyDeleteYou've opened pandoras box with your response! The complicated inner-workings of technology in our everyday lives compared to the simplicity of pre-existing societies are overwhelming. My response might seem far fetched but I think that the new Renaissance is developing and applying technology in new ways we never thought could be. The purpose of most technological advances were in order to make some aspect of our lives simpler. The creation of the telephone, refrigerators, the internet were all new methods of simplifying everyday life. Although most people don't seem to relate the Renaissance to technology I believe they are simply inter-connected. We have studied previous societies and have learned and tried to improve upon their ideas. We've tried to invent a new way of life where technology assisted in the simplification of everyday life. However, we've created unintended complications with technological advancements and are still working to correct those issues. If we can sort out some of the complications we've created then yes I believe technology can serve its purpose of simplification, modernity, and agility in our new way of life.
I agree with your point on technology and its implications for everyday life. I do, however, think that the way we use it is pushing us backwards because it is changing what it means to be human.
DeleteMelissa,
DeleteI have to agree that some technology is pushing us backwards. I am amazed that at parties, guests sometimes choose to interact with their cell phones instead of each other. I remember at the last family party, there was a table of cousins who hadn't seen each other in a year, yet, everyone of them was looking at their phones instead of talking to each other. Even in school, there is almost a withdrawal when the students are told they need to hand their phones in to the teacher.
Another technology that is literally changing what it means to be human is the Artificial Intelligence of a computer that adapts by gets smarter, based on how it's used. Also, the robots that are now being used in Japan, are ticketing agents for some airlines. Creepy!
Hi Melissa,
DeleteI definitely agree that technology is pushing us backwards. For example, kids now a days stays in doors and use their iPads, phones, laptops instead of appreciating the outdoors. It bizarre how technology has progressed and changed our lives significantly.
Hi Melissa, I completely agree, that technology plays important role in our society. I hope, that it's role will be positive and we will see more educational technology, that will allow people to break free from social or economical issues, that would not allow them to live up to their potential in the past.
DeleteKathryn,
ReplyDeleteThe road to change begins with a single step. Why couldn't it be you who begins the new Renaissance? I don't know that your generation lacks ambition, I've seen many college students protesting various issues they feel compelled to support. How impressive was the Parkland High School students, who took it upon themselves to take on the gun laws? They had the desire for change and went after it with a vengeance. It takes desire to want to see the change in the world. I believe you would figure out how to do the rest.
I don't believe that any generation lacks ambition. Most generations have been steadfast in evolutionary technology and improvement to their way of life and this generation is no exception. I totally agree that younger and younger students are becoming more politically charged because they are facing issues they care about and are able to send their message around the world. It's quite inspiring how innovative and young the next generation is!
DeleteOf course, everything exists. But there can always be more. I wish there was more political engagement in school. I was disappointed for example at how few of my classmates went to the walk out this past spring to protest guns and school shootings.
DeleteGreat response! I hadn't thought about how advertising plays into all of this but it makes sense. I think that technology could also play a part in starting a new Renaissance.
ReplyDeleteI have come to a new focus: taking it to the streets. I feel there is a danger/trap in saving one’s activism purely for their internet identity. So we bring back the age old approach of street theatre. I have been presenting my living statue version of Lady Justice at political marches and protests for the past few years and have found that platform the most successful in effecting immediate change. Right there in the present moment, human to human, without veil or lonely box entrapping us into thinking We aren’t indeed One.
ReplyDeleteHi Kathryn, I find what you said about the lack of ambition and understanding of what needs to be done in our society very sad and very true. Although you speak about someone stepping up and leading a new renaissance I find it very hard to believe one person or even a group of people can stand up and fight the ignorance and unwillingness for a peaceful more beautiful world that plagues our society today.
ReplyDeleteKathryn,
ReplyDeleteIt is true that we all need a mission. I feel that a lot of the kids today don't know about purpose. They don't have a purpose. I was there myself once; I didn't really know what I could do with my future. My only wish back then was for me to have proper guidance, just like people did in the Renaissance. Nowadays, we're simply too focused on our to truly share something like a goal or mission.
Kathryn, I think that the generation before us were focused on achieving "comfortable" life. Now it's up to us to be able to find bigger, more ambitious mission and stay inspired.
ReplyDeleteNowadays I see a lot of young people, who open new businesses, start political movements and so much more. It is really exiting to see my generation to be inspired to think unconventionally and find their true calling.
I strongly disagree with you when you say “our current society has a lack of ambition and understanding….”. I do believe that our current world has great ambition and has accomplished a lot since Renaissance. For example, the technology we had today is much more advanced than before and is still evolving. We continue to explore and try to improve our lives.
ReplyDeleteMaybe it's not that our society has a lack of ambition and understanding but with the internet, people who lack ambition and understanding are given a voice.
DeleteI mean we all have different point of views so there's no rights and wrongs.
DeleteI think your right that the next Rennaisance will come with the internet but I don't think it's right now. There is so much toxicity on the internet because a lot of people have the mind set that they can say whatever they want with no reprecussions. I hope there will come a time where a majority of people will see the internet as a tool for improving society and not just a place to rave and insult with leisure. I think a new platform will have to be created that is not like Twitter and Facebook where it's free reign. I think there has to be a platform that's purpose is the betterment of society.
ReplyDeleteI like her response because I was feeling the same way when I was watching the video. This is not something you see in today's society. Art doesn't impact the society like it was before in the old days.
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts, Kathryn. Your thought has once crossed my mind too. In our society, the majority of people are focusing on personal goals or achievements. We need a revolution or a mission to unify our path to make this world a better place.
ReplyDeleteArt I believe does not have the same impact as before. But perhaps technology is the new art and we must learn to understand it as one although one may not like it.
ReplyDelete