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Blink 3 of 8 - The 5 AM Club
by Robin Sharma
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Age of Discovery summary
Ian Goldin, Chris Kutarna
Navigating the Risks and Rewards of Our New Renaissance
18 mins
Brief summary
'Age of Discovery' by Ian Goldin and Chris Kutarna is a historical and cultural analysis that highlights the similarities between the Renaissance and the present era. It outlines the challenges and opportunities of our time, emphasizing the importance of resilience and innovation in tackling global problems.
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Age of Discovery
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We are living in a modern Renaissance, but it’s not all pretty.
Just about everyone has heard of Leonardo Da Vinci and Michelangelo. These famous artists created some of history’s most iconic masterpieces, and millions stand in line every year to see their work, which are landmarks of the incredible achievements of the Renaissance.
But what exactly was the Renaissance?
It was a period from about 1450 to 1550 during which supreme achievements of scientific and artistic genius were made. But it also had a dark side.
The term Renaissance itself is controversial as it suggests something that is universally good. But in reality, the idea of “Renaissance Europe” was crafted by nineteenth-century European historians as a way to fortify the standing of European nations. This concept of European cultural superiority was then used to justify nineteenth-century European imperialism and colonialism across the globe.
Despite the innovations made during this period by the likes of astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus, theologian Martin Luther and explorer Christopher Columbus, the Renaissance was also a time of great destruction and suffering. Diseases like smallpox were spread across oceans, practically exterminating the Aztecs, Incas and other Native Americans.
Just like the Renaissance of the fifteenth century, our current New Renaissance has also been a time of great growth. The New Renaissance could be said to have started in 1990 with the fall of the Berlin Wall and the end of the Cold War. Commercial internet service began, and China stepped back into the world economy.
The world suddenly felt very different, and historical data backs up that sensation. For example, the World Trade Organization or WTO, formed in 1995, is a powerful symbol of international economic advancement, cooperation and a radically different historical period. Today it numbers 161 members, representing every major economy in the world.
However, just like the Renaissance of centuries past, this progress comes with a hefty bill. Just consider the catastrophic toll 30 years of unprecedented growth have had on the environment.
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What is Age of Discovery about?
Age of Discovery (2016) looks back at the European Renaissance of 500 years ago to draw parallels with contemporary times. These blinks delve into the good and the bad while providing a deep historical context that has much to teach us about the “New Renaissance” we’re currently experiencing.
Who should read Age of Discovery?
- Innovators, futurists and historians
- Civil servants of all stripes
- Students in search of a historical context that helps explain the current social and economic environment
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