April 14, 2017: International Moment of Laughter
April 14, 2017: International Moment of Laughter
Category: Uncategorized
April 29, 2016 is Arbor Day.
April 29, 2016 is Arbor Day.
“The best time to plant a tree was 20 years ago. The second best time is now.” -Chinese Proverb from Psychology Today
For more information visit Arborday.org.
Aretino quote: Let us love winter…
American flag symbolism they never taught you in school
American flag symbolism they never taught you in school
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America…”
There they stood, a motley crew, reciting the Pledge of Allegiance in the middle of a courtroom.
Sitting in the gallery, I was trying to see my parents in the group. I was 9 when my parents became naturalized citizens of the United States of America. The courtroom proceedings were the naturalization ceremony.
I remember my mom doing her American history homework in the weeks prior to the test. Then came the ceremony where the Oath of Allegiance makes citizenship official. Finally my favorite part, the party at our home afterwards decorated in red, white, and blue. All my family’s friends came and celebrated with us.
Being born in the United States, I was already a citizen. Living in America, was all I had ever known. So, it wasn’t foreign or strange to see my parents join me in citizenship. But, unlike for me, it was a very conscious decision on their part. I am thankful, since a lot of the reason they chose to become citizens was for me and my siblings. Of course, I didn’t fully appreciate that until I was a little older and really understood what that meant. I talk more about my pride in our country and what is was founded on in my Smithsonian magazine article.
In the month celebrating the independence of my country, I would like to spotlight the most meaningful symbol of it, the American flag.
If you are in the American military, you are likely well-educated on the flag and the flag code. For the average non-military citizen, we usually only know what we have seen in ceremonies, funerals, or sporting events. So, let me enlighten those of you like me, who don’t know about the lesser-known details of flag history, symbolism, and etiquette.
Just the (flag) facts
Fact 1. The flag of the United States of America has several nicknames. Although I am sure that you are aware of them, do you know how they came about? Here is the scoop:
- Stars and Stripes. If you imagine an aging Betsy Ross sitting by a fire sewing a flag, you are not unlike many Americans. However, there is some controversy surrounding who designed the first Stars and Stripes. There is no evidence that Betsy Ross created the design, only a story told by her grandson after she died. Another possibility is that it was created by Francis Hopkinson, a signer of the Declaration of Independence. He claims that he designed the flag and even billed Congress several times for the work. Another story has the design based on the Washington family coat of arms.
- Star-Spangled Banner. This nickname came, of course, from the poem ‘The Star-Spangled Banner’ written by Francis Scott Key and then put to the tune of an English song. The lyrics tell his sentiment after seeing the American flag flying victoriously over Fort McHenry following a battle he was sure was lost.
- Old Glory. The name Old Glory was coined by Captain William Driver on his ship the Charles Doggett. It is said that friends had presented the flag to him. When it was raised and unfurled in the wind for the first time he exclaimed, “Old Glory!” There is an expanded version of Captain William Driver and his touching relationship with his beloved flag that you can read at usflag.org.
Fact 2. Flag day is June 14 and celebrates the 1777 resolution by Continental Congress to adopt the flag.
Fact 3. The current flag (Displaying 50 stars and updated on July 4, 1960 with the addition of Hawaii) was designed by a 17 year old high school student for a school project. Robert G. Heft got a B- for the project because it lacked originality and “anybody could make the flag.” His teacher promised to raise the grade if he was able to get congress to accept the design. They did, and Robert got his A.
American flag symbolism and appearance
- Here is a tiny lesson in vexillology (study of flags – See? You learned something, didn’t you?). The upper hoist (left side because it is closest to the flagpole) quarter of the flag is the canton. In the American flag, it is blue with white stars representing a new constellation. I never knew this before and being an astronomy nut, I love it!
- The symbolism behind the colors of the flag:
• ‘Old Glory Red’ stands for hardiness and valor.
• White stands for purity and innocence. (I won’t do the white because you won’t see it.)
• ‘Old Glory Blue’ stands for vigilance, perseverance, and justice.
- The stars represent the heavens and man’s goals and aspirations.
- The stripes represent the rays of light from the sun.
- Gold fringe may be added bordering the flag for honorable enrichment only. It bears no significance.
- Have you ever seen a flag that appears to be backward? Likely on a military uniform sleeve or vehicle. There is a reason for it. The canton (blue quadrant) is intended to be on the leading edge with the field of stripes waving or blowing in the wind behind it, as if the person or vehicle is in motion. Interesting!
As you have likely seen on some occasion, a flag folding ceremony has specific steps taken to create the triangle shape we are all familiar with. But did you know that there is a reading and symbolism that goes along with the folding? I didn’t. I am embarrassed for not knowing it before, but at least I know it now! Here it is:
- The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
- The second fold is a symbol of our belief in eternal life.
- The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.
- The fourth fold represents our weaker nature; as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace, as well as in times of war, for His divine guidance.
- The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
- The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
- The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
- The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
- The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
- The 10th fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born.
- The 11th fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.
- The 12th fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost.When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”
American flag etiquette
The American Flag Code is the guideline for proper flag etiquette. There are no legal penalties for violation of any of the code. You are likely aware of most of the code through your observations and experience with the flag, but I have identified and bolded certain sections that you may not be familiar with.
- …the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.
- The flag should be hoisted briskly and lowered ceremoniously.
- …The flag represents a living country and is itself considered a living thing. Therefore, the lapel flag pin being a replica, should be worn on the left lapel near the heart.
- The flag should never be used as wearing apparel, bedding, or drapery… and for decoration in general. OK, I have to admit I have a shirt with a flag on it. It is small and tasteful (the flag, not the shirt! *wink*). I always knew it was frowned upon as clothing, but I thought it was just because it is usually is done in a less-than-stylish or cheap manner. Feeling a little ashamed… Also, how many parties have you been to with flag decorations and food made to resemble the flag? A lot.
- The flag should never be used for advertising purposes in any manner whatsoever. All I can think of is car dealerships. What else do you think of when you see a row of very large flags hoisted quite high alongside a highway. Perhaps, it is just my local environment. I don’t live super close to any military sites or national institutions.
How did you do?
Did you learn something new about the American flag? I learned quite a few things in my research. I am happy to know them and they only add to my respect and appreciation.
If you already knew everything here, I am impressed. I am guessing you have had some responsibility for the care or maintenance of the flag at some point in your life.
Let me know in the poll!
Resources
Flag at statesymbolsusa.org
Flag Code at legion.org
Flag Folding Ceremony at USflag.org
Flag Timeline at USHistory.org
History of American Flag at http://www.usa-flag-site.org/history/
Old Glory! at USflag.org
“The History Of…” The Flag of the United States: Table of Contents. Ed. Duane Streufert. N.p., n.d. Web. 02 June 2015.
The Pledge of Allegiance at USHistory.org
The Story Behind the Star Spangled Banner at Smithsonian.com
The Washington Window selbyabbey.org.uk
U.S. Flag Code at military.com
Wikipedia contributors. “Flag of the United States.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 31 May. 2015. Web. 2 Jun. 2015.
Wikipedia contributors. “Glossary of vexillology.” Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia, 29 May. 2015. Web. 3 Jun. 2015.
Angular momentum: 10 times it’s constantly around us
Angular momentum: 10 times it’s constantly around us
WEEE!
If you’ve never sat in a swivel chair and spun yourself around, I’m afraid I am going to have to ask you to turn in your “human card.” Extending your arms and legs to slow down and immediately pulling them in tight to speed up. Entertaining, right?
While we may not be as graceful as a trained ice skater, the principle is the same. Angular momentum. Plus who cares what we look like, it’s fun!
There are many things in the world that rotate, spin,and cartwheel, including the world itself. Therefore, I thought it would be a great topic for the month.
So let’s start at the beginning…
What is angular momentum?
Credit: By PanCiasteczko (Own work) [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
The easiest way to describe it is the momentum an object has when spinning or rotating around something.
It applies to many scenarios (shown on the right). A disk or ring. Solid or hollow. Centered or offset. All things spinny and rotatey. By spin I mean turn on an axis within the body. By rotate I mean turn about a point outside the body.
The most interesting aspect of angular momentum is that it is conserved. Meaning it will always stay constant for a closed system.
I won’t bog you down with a lot of math, but a basic formula will be helpful. It can be calculated:
Angular momentum = tangent velocity x radius x mass
Just as Newton’s first law states, objects in motion stay in motion. An object that is rotating will stay rotating. Just as an object that is not rotating will continue to not rotate, unless another force is applied of course.
The classic demonstration of this is a spinning ice skater. When she draws her arms inward, she is decreasing her radius. Since her mass remains the same and angular momentum is always constant, the tangent velocity must go up. She spins faster.
Nancy Kerrigan (USA) performs a scratch spin at the end of her freeskate at the 1994 Lillehammer games. Credit: Power Forward
What is the Coriolis effect?
Essentially, this effect causes objects to appear to curve as they travel across Earth. The Earth rotates faster at the equator than it does at the poles because the Earth is wider at the equator.
Just imagine an object on the equator of a globe and one near the top of the globe. Give the globe a spin and it is easy to see the object at the equator is moving faster.
In the northern hemisphere, objects appear to deflect to the right. In the southern hemisphere, it appears to deflect to the left.
If this is confusing think of this example. Say you are riding a bike holding a ball. You want to toss the ball into a resting basket as you ride past it. Do you throw the ball when you are right next to the basket? No. The ball will land beyond the basket in the direction of your travel. It will appear deflected because of the difference in speed between you and the basket.
With northern hemisphere wind, high-pressure systems from near the equator will pass low-pressure systems from the north pole on the right. This results in the counter-clockwise rotation, as can be seen in northern hemisphere hurricanes.
Of course, the Coriolis effect is for large scale systems. When other forces of notable magnitude are added to the system, it complicates things and the results may differ.
10 instances of angular momentum
1. Tops
Let’s start at the beginning. As young scientists, I mean children, we have all played with a top. Turning it, seeing how long it would spin, trying it out on different surfaces.
We weren’t aware that we were performing physics experiments, we were just having fun. We didn’t stop to think we were adding more torque to the system by turning it harder or seeing how the friction between the tip and the floor slowed it down over time. That sneaky science just hid right underneath our noses.
2. Toilets and Tubs
Another curiosity we entertained in our childhood. Every kid loves toilet stuff. We were mesmerized about why water drained swirling in a particular direction.
The Coriolis effect is often cited causing a counter-clockwise swirl north of the equator and a clockwise swirl south of the equator. Truth be told, the scale of a sink, toilet, or tub are too small for the Coriolis effect to really have much influence in the draining.
The water temperature variations, friction from the sides of the vessel, and the initial turbulence of the fluid all play a much larger role in the direction of the swirl. If these elements are all constant, then the Coriolis effect may be the most dominant.
3. Football
A lot of people dream of being the big star of the team, the quarterback. Although it may be less and less with recent findings on subsequent concussions and the permanent brain damage it can lead to.
Regardless, a great quarterback needs to know how to throw the football. A good throw requires a tight spiral on the ball. The tighter the spiral, the more aerodynamically and precise the flight of the ball. All thanks to angular momentum.
4. Darts, Rifles, and other trajectory activities
The same principle applies here as in the case of football.
The rotation of the dart, bullet, or arrow will stabilize its flight. This is because the object wants to maintain its angular momentum. So it will head in a straight path. Since these activities are all about precision and accuracy, that would be the skill to master.
Just imagine if you perfected this shot? What a hotshot!
5. Helicopters
Even if you know nothing about helicopters they are easy to identify with their large rotors on top.
However, the motion involves a lot more than just the top rotor. If only the top rotor spins and the system were to maintain its angular momentum, the body of the helicopter would spin in the opposite direction.
To prevent this unstable, not to mention unsafe, scenario the tail rotor is added. It counteracts the spin of the body to keep the entire aircraft stable.
6. Tornadoes, Hurricanes, Dust Devils, Waterspouts
The size of these weather phenomena affects their intensity because they conserve their angular momentum. This means that if the rotating body decreases its radius, its angular velocity will increase. Just like the ice skater.
Because of the scale of these systems, the Coriolis effect is applicable. As the high pressure rushes to the low pressure it will be deflected slightly. This causes the spiral. Based on the image to the right, this storm must be in the southern hemisphere because it appears to rotate clockwise.
7. The Sun, the moon, and the stars
Spinning and rotating. They all do both as they hurtle through space. Although some believe the moon doesn’t spin because it always shows us the same face. It just coincidentally takes about the same time (~27 days) for it to orbit the Earth as it does to spin on its own axis.
When matter comes in close proximity in the universe, it starts to converge thanks to gravity. As things move towards each other they begin to rotate. The matter continues to assemble, and due to their initial motion and the fact that nothing stops that motion (except for the gravity of the other items in proximity) they continue to rotate or spin.
(See Related: Beyond the basics of the Sun: 10 things you didn’t know)
So, from clusters in the universe to galaxies. Within galaxies, the clusters turn into solar systems. Within solar systems, the clusters turn into planets. Within planetary orbits, the clusters turn into moons. All of them maintaining their spin from the very beginning. Neat!
8. Subatomic particles
If you know something about physics, you have heard about the property of spin in the smallest things known to man, subatomic particles. But scientists are quick to point out that although these particles do have angular momentum and magnetic fields, they do not actually spin even though that is what they call it.
On a quantum level, angular momentum occurs without the rotation or spinning. This is just one of the many things on a quantum level that intuition will not help you to understand. From what I understand scientists say this because the magnetic field for electrons indicate it would need to be rotating faster than the speed of light. We all know that is the point where physicists call foul.
9. Gyroscopes
They seem to be magic and defy the laws of gravity.
But however cool they appear, their angular momentum has been put to good use in industry. It is used to help identify orientation and motion. Planes, Segways, virtual reality are just a few examples using these ingenious devices.
10. Universe?
While we don’t really know if this is the case, there has been interesting work done looking into this. This was done by looking at the spin of galaxies. It appears that there is a small (7%) preference for counter-clockwise spin in the northern sky of the Milky Way.
But the question is, What would the universe be spinning relative to? We may never know, but it is fun to think about.
(See Related: Do you wonder if there is life beyond Earth? Consider the Drake equation)
Surrounded by angular momentum
On a regular basis, I don’t think about this kind of stuff. But when I stumble upon images of a gyroscope or an ice skater, it still fills me with delight. Another article of mine will discuss this delight.
(See Related: Mikhail Baryshnikov: Wisdom from the master of turns)
This is why science is so awesome. I love when the laws of physics prove that our intuition isn’t always spot on. Humbling and amazing. Fact is stranger than fiction, as can be seen on reality television. Actually that was a bad example, reality television is all fiction and is not at all amazing.
The fact remains we are constantly surrounded by the constant of angular momentum. Did you get the pun in the title? Bonus points if you did.
Maybe next time you see an example at play, you will put a little more thought into how it all works. That is what I am here to do, put a little inspiration into your life.
If you like what you read, please subscribe to the newsletter or share with a friend. If you have comments, I would love to hear from you on my social media channels.
Resources
Conservation of Angular Momentum from University of Tennessee Knoxville
Coriolis effect from National Geographic
Fact or Fiction?: South of the Equator Toilets Flush and Tornadoes Spin in the Opposite Direction from Scientific American
How to Throw a Spiral from Active
Hurricanes from University of Alasksa Fairbanks
NASA EcoAlert: “Earth’s Spin Axis Took a Massive Swing -Drifting Twice as Fast as Before” from The Daily Galaxy
Was the universe born spinning? from Physics World
What exactly is the ‘spin’ of subatomic particles such as electrons and protons? Does it have any physical significance, analogous to the spin of a planet? from Scientific American
What IS Angular Momentum? from Youtube
What is “spin” in particle physics? Why is it different from just ordinary rotation? from Ask a Mathematician at
What is the Coriolis effect? from SciJinks at NASA
Why does everything in the universe spin? from Youtube
Last week (Apr.18-Apr.24)
Last week (Apr.18-Apr.24)
Artificial intelligence helps diagnose cancer from Popular Science
How the FBI uses facial recognition technology to fight crime from Newsweek
5 ways to experience flow and get crazy productive from Forbes
Happy couples accentuate the positive from Scientific American
Can physicists ever prove the multiverse is real? from Smithsonian Magazine
A model for higher education where all learning counts from Marketplace
Hubble catches a star blowing a bubble from Popular Science
8 stunning photo galleries of our precious planet from Wired
Possible light flash from black hole collision spotted from Scientific American
Don’t heed the haters: Albert Einstein’s wonderful letter of support to Marie Curie in the midst of scandal from Brain Pickings
How to identify any language at a glance from This Week
A lot of pressure…
About
About
The Thinking Muse is a magazine covering culture, science, and curiosities of every kind. Just as the Greek Muses whispered inspiration for the arts and sciences, the mission of The Thinking Muse is to provide inspiration. Inspiration for introverts, nerds, and smarty-pants.
Take a look around and engage with the content by browsing, reading, or voting in a poll. I would love it if you would subscribe for weekly issues or connect/share on social media. But whatever you do, come away from your visit ready to act on your inspiration. Explore, create, and nurture your ideas to make your life and the world the best it can be.
Franzi Schneider-Krumpus
Who is behind The Thinking Muse?
My name is Franzi Schneider-Krumpus and I am the creator of The Thinking Muse. You know how there are people who are in love with the idea of love? Well, I am inspired by inspiration. I get such a rush when I encounter a new flash of insight that I want to share that thrill with you.
I love to learn, but know that I will always be a work-in-process. I am curious, practical, straight-talking, anxiety-ridden, and extremely fortunate to have the life that I do. I am a wife, mother, and homemaker living in Minneapolis.
My favorite things include puzzles, science -especially cosmology, museums, travel, books, dance team, food -both making and eating it, and reading paperback mysteries.
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The Age of Romanticism
The Age of Romanticism
Love. Spirit. Emotion. Soul. All very colorful and strong words. They’re intangible, yet we insist that they exist. We know they are there, not because we can see them or touch them, but because we feel them inside of us, guiding our decisions and making us see the world in a different light. They aren’t practical or sensible, yet so often it’s encouraged to “follow your heart”. Why is this? Why is today’s society so quick to cling to emotion and instinct? Should we?
What was Romanticism?
The roots of how we think of things like emotion and love are in something called the Romantic age, or the Romantic era. It was a period in literature and philosophy from the late 18th century to the mid 19th century that stressed the idea of romanticism. Romanticism was essentially a reaction against the philosophy of the Enlightenment, which is explained in an earlier article.
(See Related: What was the Enlightenment?)
The Enlightenment was founded on the principles of human reason and sensible deduction, while the Romantic age stressed the importance of emotion and feelings. To the Romantics, the Enlightenment felt cold, mechanical, and impersonal. They believed that when someone disregards emotion, they lose part of what makes them human.
Rousseau and the Beginning of Romanticism
Jean-Jacques Rousseau is often considered the father of Romanticism. His political ideas on the “state of nature” and democracy were in line with his Enlightenment contemporaries, but many of his other philosophies would go on to inspire a new age of thinking. He believed that people are born pure and moral, but are corrupted by society. True morality, Rousseau believed, isn’t found through reasoning, but gifted at birth. He wrote of his idea of the “noble savage”, which held that a savage without civilization is more noble in heart because he is not exposed to the selfishness and greed of society. He admired the naïvety of the child, because only a simple and uncorrupted mind can truly understand what is fair and righteous. This was very different from other Enlightenment thinkers, who believed that morality should stem from human reason and experience. Still, Rousseau held onto his ideas. What is so important to realize about Rousseau and the Romantics is that in an age of rapid technological advancement and fantastic machines that made lives easier and people richer, Rousseau instead admired the child, in all its simplicity and naïveness.
Goethe and the Spread of Romanticism
While the Enlightenment was a movement of literature, science, and technology, Romanticism was a movement of literature, art, and music. After Rousseau, possibly the most important romantic writer was Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. Goethe was a German writer whose most influential works were The Sorrows of Young Werther and Faust. The former was a story of a young man named Werther who fell in love with a married woman named Charlotte. Because of the social structures of the day, the love between Werther and Charlotte was impossible, and overtaken by grief, Werther commits suicide. Goethe directs all of the reader’s sympathies to young Werther, who followed his heart over his brain. The book was extremely popular all over Europe. Faust was the story of a scholar who sells his soul to the devil for knowledge and pleasure. Strong emotions play out in the story, and many things go wrong for the scholar. Although Goethe is arguably the most famous romantic author, he criticized the Romantic movement as ridiculous and didn’t consider himself as a member of it. Regardless, the impact of his writings became irreversible.
Examples of Romanticism
Romantic poets like William Wordsworth and Lord Byron wrote poems about idyllic beauty and the power of emotion. Romantic art would often depict scenes of nature, such as the famous Wanderer above the Sea Fog. Others would show people in exaggerated and strong poses to depict drama and emotion. Musical composers like Beethoven, Chopin, Tchaikovsky, and Sousa all contributed to the Romantic genre of music, which was characterized by dramatic and colorful melodies. To get an idea of how influential the Romantic movement was for music, just remember the famed first four notes of Beethoven’s “Symphony No. 5”, the main tune of Tchaikovsky’s “Nutcracker”, or Sousa’s “Stars and Stripes Forever”.
Radicals and Revolutionaries
The Romantic age also had profound effects on the political world. Groups of people struggling for independence were seen as true Romantics because of their heartfelt struggle against the odds. The greatest example of this was movement for Greek independence from the Ottoman Empire, which was achieved with aid from the British. In 1848, there were revolutions and struggles for freedom all across Europe. Most of them were unsuccessful, but it was a sign that Romanticism had really resonated with Europeans, and the movement had become more than just books and poems. The failure of these revolutions was one of the major reasons for the rise of realism in the 1850s, which, ironically, could be blamed for the demise of romanticism.
How Did the Romantic Age End?
The age of the Romantics, if not ended by the realism of the late 19th century, definitely stopped after WWI. After WWI in the 1920s and 1930s, something called the “Age of Anxiety” set in in Europe. Despite all of the great optimism for the future before the war, Europe had not only been destroyed, but been destroyed by the very ideas they thought would bring them to a great future. One of these ideas was Romanticism, and another was the Enlightenment. People didn’t know what to believe in anymore, because everything that they had believed in before led up to the most horrific war in recent memory. A period of philosophical uneasiness (“Age of Anxiety”) would continue until after WWII.
The Enlightenment and Romanticism in America
Both of these primarily European events occurred when the US was in its impressionable youth. Benjamin Franklin, Thomas Jefferson, and John Adams, just to name a few, were all disciples of the Enlightenment. As mentioned in my last article, it’s no coincidence that the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution hold many ideas core to the Enlightenment. If it weren’t for the enlightened leaders of the revolution, it’s quite possible that the United States would’ve taken much longer to become independent. As Romanticism became popular in Europe, it did in the US too. American Transcendentalism, a spiritual movement inspired by Romanticism, gained popularity in the US. Poets Edgar Allan Poe and Walt Whitman were at the forefront of American Romanticism, and have contributed greatly to the literary identity of the country. These two movements shaped early America and continue to have vast influence on its society today.
The Enlightenment Versus Romanticism
The Enlightenment and the Romantic age are unarguably the two most impactful European ideological trends of the 18th and 19th centuries. They are fundamentally very different, and in some ways complete opposites of each other. They both changed the very way that generations thought of life, and both resonate strongly to this day. But which one has more influence on today’s society? The case could be made for both, of course. On one hand the Enlightenment introduced the world to modern scientific practices and led to extremely influential inventions. It’s still thought of as impressive when someone can thoroughly think something through using reasoning, and to be a skeptic. But, it’s also still encouraged today to “follow your heart”, and many people believe in destiny and the power of determination. “If you believe it you can do it”. The kind of mentality that seems mainstream in modern society is very reminiscent of Romantic thought. Without the lens of history, it’s difficult to make grand statements about today’s world, but I personally think that the modern era is one leaning towards Romanticism.
When you hear about these two movements, you might think about which one you belong to. That can be very difficult though. Both have appealing and unappealing factors. Imagine two people, one embodying everything about the Enlightenment, and the other everything about Romanticism. Neither one of them seems very suitable to lead a balanced life. When you think about yourself, don’t think that these two things are black and white. It’s not heart versus mind or reason versus romance. Both need to be mixed to make good decisions. Instead of radicalizing on one side, most people would agree that it is better to be enlightened without being inhumane, and to be romantic without being unreasonable.
Thank you so much for reading, and if you haven’t already, check out my earlier post on the Enlightenment. This article will bring an end to the month of August, and I hope you’ve enjoyed it.
Author: The content of this article was conceived of and created by Paul Schneider-Krumpus for The Thinking Muse.
Resources
“Internet History Sourcebooks.” Internet History Sourcebooks. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2016. <http://sourcebooks.fordham.edu/mod/modsbook15.asp>.
Palmer, R. R., and Joel Colton. A History of the Modern World. New York: Knopf, 1971. Print.
“Romanticism.” Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2016.
“Romanticism.” Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 28 Aug. 2016.
