Please read entirely even after I mention the hated word “Kanye.” Kanye has been going on interviews lately talking about how he wants to branch into other forms of bringing joy to people beyond music by applying some of the same methods he uses in production/writing. He talks about how he’s been hitting a wall, because in modern society everyone is taught to stay in their own area - don’t step on people’s toes. Basically, he sees himself as a renaissance man and wants to apply his talents elsewhere.
There are examples of people in history like Benjamin Franklin who were accomplished in multiple areas. This has me wondering. Is what Kanye saying correct about people discouraging others to achieve? When did this change in thinking occur?
I understand that we need to continue specializing in things, but if someone can innovate one area of society, why wouldn’t people give them a chance in another? I suspect it has to do with greed and ego, but they reflect those qualities back onto Kanye to somehow discredit him. Curious what you guys think and if you can come up with a modern day Renaissance Man beside Elon Musk.
To address your question - I believe those who are unable to elevate themselves above others by intellect or creating do so by bringing others down. It’s basic psychology of mankind to cure their own insecurities by insulting or discounting their fellow man.
Those who understand it’s not the innovator and competition to fear but rather the simple, complacent man, tend to embrace purveyors in one field to transfer to other fields. Yet, those who are unable to adapt to change will be strong advocates of static ways. I think it was Darwin who stated it’s not the strongest, smartest, most athletic animals that survive but those that are most adaptable to change.
Finally, renaissance men of contemporary times? Sir Richard Branson, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Dr Dre, Oprah, Sean Parker, to name a few.
So you’re asking why people would want to quash someone’s aspirations of being a Renaissance Man? Because it’s just easier to be a hater than an innovator.
Just ask my friend Blake McCallister. He’ll tell you all you need to know about the haterade. But Kan-yeezy don’t care about no haters.
Today, it is more difficult to come up with new ideas that impact diverse areas of society, since there is usually someone else who specializes in any specific area and who would likely think of those ideas first. It would be conceivable, for instance, for Kanye to have lived 200 years ago and sit in his basement experimenting with 1000 different filaments to invent a light bulb. However, today, Kanye would have to master all kinds of scientific disciplines before even attempting to improve any common product of engineering.
With that being said, once in a while, there is a technological catalyst that breaks down this knowledge saturation and enables people to innovate in new or different fields. The discovery of electricity was one such catalyst, and so was the internet. These catalysts enables people to attempt things that no one had before, thus giving rise to “renaissance people”.
In addition, certain rules do not apply to people of extraordinary wealth. For instance, Bill Gates, due to his great wealth, could simultaneously fund breakthroughs in medicine, engineering, space exploration, philanthropy and other fields. He could then be considered a “renaissance man”, with the side note that his achievements could ultimately still be attributed to specialization in the field of personal computing, the original source of his extraordinary means. Perhaps Kanye could similarly use his significant wealth to affect various areas of society, indirectly achieving diverse “renaissance” status through success in a specific field.
Brian May - Mathmatician, physicist, lead guitarist of Queen.
Viggo Mortensen - actor, poet, composer, singer, photographer and painter.
F. Story Musgrave - decorated Marine, mathematician, surgeon and National Heart Institute fellow, professor of physiology and biophysics, and astronaut.
Depends on how you define a renaissance man. Does the individual have to experience equal success in all fields to be considered one?
Can Kanye be considered a Renaissance man only if he achieves similar success in Science/Math/Technology etc as he has in music?
I think the term renaissance man doesn’t apply in today’s world because back then people were stupid and anyone with half a brain was able to invent multiple products spanning multiple industries. Elon Musk is just a pioneer in science. I bet he writes terrible music and would never make it in the NFL…
I don’t think we need to restrict the “renaissance” definition to science. For instance, if you are an astronaut, professional athlete, best selling author and pornstar, I would say you are a renaissance man.
The sketchy part for me is if your achievements are based on existing fame and wealth, and not just talent. For instance, Kanye could, regardless of talent, instantly become successful as a DJ, painter, philanthropist or fashion designer, solely because his fame and wealth would support his success in those fields.
Ahhnold Shwarzenegger: Bodybuilder, economist, entrepreneur (his businesses made him a millionaire well before he became an), actor, politician, philanthropist.
Claude Shannon: Mathematician, father of modern electronics (“invented” binary code, homemade the first portable computer ever), geneticist, investment manager (outperformed Buffett!).
kanye is a moron. i watched kimmel last night and that dude blabbered for 20 minutes about nothing that made sense. marrying kim k was the worst decision he could of made for his mental well being
Can’t believe it takes 20 posts to mention the original renaissance man, Leonardo da Vinci: painter, sculptor, architect, musician, mathematician, engineer, inventor, anatomist, geologist, cartographer, botanist, and writer!
