You touch many significant points from many directions. But your criteria to evaluate is lacking in definition. Dark Ages are considered dark from many perspectives. Looked at from one angle, yes, we're living in dark ages. Looked at from the viewpoint of science, we're more advanced than ever before. We're enlightened materially and prosperous in comfort. The criteria, which you positively did not consider, is happiness and fulfilment of the people living in the current arena. From this point of view, we are definitely in Dark Ages. People have things, but they're not happy. Lives are hollow and without purpose and more importantly, challenge. Technology has given us false hopes; Social Media is the worst culprit. It produces fake everything, to which the inquisitive young get hooked and the downhill slide starts in earnest. Depth of ideas is lost and superficiality reigns supreme.
In the Vedic period (2500-3200 BCE), in North-west India, people lived for fulfilment. There was no police, no military and no locks. I mention this as a reference point. If you want to live a non-violent spiritual life for self-realization, make sure your neighbors think like-wise. India didn't and they were invaded by neighbors 20 times, their temple-gold looted, their women raped. They rebuilt foolishly, to be invaded repeatedly.
Today, nations are materially advanced and technology has given them unprecedented military advantage. People live in fear. They know they can be wiped out in mere seconds without warning. Dark dark ages, indeed!
This post is very interesting and well thought out. To determine if we are in fact within a "Dark Age" we would need to agree on the exact meaning of the term. What are the basic factors or categories of measurement?
Even during the worst times there are always pockets of people who keep the past alive. Petrarch's "Dark Age" took place in western Europe. The Celtic Church of Ireland and Scotland kept writing, record keeping and Christianity alive for several centuries. The Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) had continued uninterrupted since before the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Al-Andalus (Spain), North Africa, Southwestern Asia and more were ruled by Islamic Califates that in several ways exceeded classical antiquity in science, philosophy and architecture.
I am not an expert, but I have studied Renaissance thought. I believe that Petrarch's "Dark Age" referred to the collapse of classical antiquity, i.e. the Greco-Roman world. Civilizations that had been leading lights in philosophy, science, engineering, trade, and so forth for over a millennium. Based upon his definition, I agree that western Europe had been in a “Dark Age" since the sixth century. Even so, the early Renaissance started before the "Black Death" and had been on going in certain areas of western Europe.
Petrarch, Dante, St. Albert and St. Thomas Aquinas certainly cannot be compared to thinkers in the sixth, seventh, and eighth centuries. Even if there were people of that caliber during those times, nothing of note remains. So, it is very unlikely that sophisticated thinkers during the "Dark Ages" had the tools or support to utilize their talents, if these people even existed, and there is no proof of anything we would consider to be refined civilization during those times.
Dark Ages? There are many different viewpoints. We have the perspective to be able look back and make judgments based on our current knowledge. The people living during those times are like ourselves. They wanted the best life for themselves and loved ones. That’s continuity. Events may have interfered but the basis premise remained.
100% this is Dark Ages part two. But the good news is that Enlightenment Part Two will follow. Humans will live in accord with nature, each other and not against. Sustainability, balance and justice for the planet and all life of the Earth will be the focus.
Upon examination of specific criteria, it may appear to some, and even many, that we are currently experiencing a resurgence of darkness. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that our media, whether consciously or subconsciously, influences the narrative without explicitly stating it. This influence stems from the fact that negative news garners higher viewership and revenue. Despite the numerous distressing events occurring globally, there are still numerous positive occurrences that receive insufficient attention due to the profit-driven nature of media, which prioritizes selling narratives.
You touch many significant points from many directions. But your criteria to evaluate is lacking in definition. Dark Ages are considered dark from many perspectives. Looked at from one angle, yes, we're living in dark ages. Looked at from the viewpoint of science, we're more advanced than ever before. We're enlightened materially and prosperous in comfort. The criteria, which you positively did not consider, is happiness and fulfilment of the people living in the current arena. From this point of view, we are definitely in Dark Ages. People have things, but they're not happy. Lives are hollow and without purpose and more importantly, challenge. Technology has given us false hopes; Social Media is the worst culprit. It produces fake everything, to which the inquisitive young get hooked and the downhill slide starts in earnest. Depth of ideas is lost and superficiality reigns supreme.
In the Vedic period (2500-3200 BCE), in North-west India, people lived for fulfilment. There was no police, no military and no locks. I mention this as a reference point. If you want to live a non-violent spiritual life for self-realization, make sure your neighbors think like-wise. India didn't and they were invaded by neighbors 20 times, their temple-gold looted, their women raped. They rebuilt foolishly, to be invaded repeatedly.
Today, nations are materially advanced and technology has given them unprecedented military advantage. People live in fear. They know they can be wiped out in mere seconds without warning. Dark dark ages, indeed!
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1dRpjBRXaFORM1LxuW08bWjeApTvilwdQxqMZmrhciuQ/mobilebasic
This post is very interesting and well thought out. To determine if we are in fact within a "Dark Age" we would need to agree on the exact meaning of the term. What are the basic factors or categories of measurement?
Even during the worst times there are always pockets of people who keep the past alive. Petrarch's "Dark Age" took place in western Europe. The Celtic Church of Ireland and Scotland kept writing, record keeping and Christianity alive for several centuries. The Byzantine Empire (Eastern Roman Empire) had continued uninterrupted since before the fall of the Western Roman Empire. Al-Andalus (Spain), North Africa, Southwestern Asia and more were ruled by Islamic Califates that in several ways exceeded classical antiquity in science, philosophy and architecture.
I am not an expert, but I have studied Renaissance thought. I believe that Petrarch's "Dark Age" referred to the collapse of classical antiquity, i.e. the Greco-Roman world. Civilizations that had been leading lights in philosophy, science, engineering, trade, and so forth for over a millennium. Based upon his definition, I agree that western Europe had been in a “Dark Age" since the sixth century. Even so, the early Renaissance started before the "Black Death" and had been on going in certain areas of western Europe.
Petrarch, Dante, St. Albert and St. Thomas Aquinas certainly cannot be compared to thinkers in the sixth, seventh, and eighth centuries. Even if there were people of that caliber during those times, nothing of note remains. So, it is very unlikely that sophisticated thinkers during the "Dark Ages" had the tools or support to utilize their talents, if these people even existed, and there is no proof of anything we would consider to be refined civilization during those times.
I would love to have further discussions on this topic and more. If you are interested in my thinking and perspective, you are welcome to visit https://ourfreedomcharters.com. You can also reach out to me at ourfreedomcharters@startmail.com.
Thank you.
Dark Ages? There are many different viewpoints. We have the perspective to be able look back and make judgments based on our current knowledge. The people living during those times are like ourselves. They wanted the best life for themselves and loved ones. That’s continuity. Events may have interfered but the basis premise remained.
Not yet.
Fascinating read, well researched.
100% this is Dark Ages part two. But the good news is that Enlightenment Part Two will follow. Humans will live in accord with nature, each other and not against. Sustainability, balance and justice for the planet and all life of the Earth will be the focus.
https://substack.com/@truthmaniacs/note/p-199647304?r=89ln31
Upon examination of specific criteria, it may appear to some, and even many, that we are currently experiencing a resurgence of darkness. However, it is crucial to acknowledge that our media, whether consciously or subconsciously, influences the narrative without explicitly stating it. This influence stems from the fact that negative news garners higher viewership and revenue. Despite the numerous distressing events occurring globally, there are still numerous positive occurrences that receive insufficient attention due to the profit-driven nature of media, which prioritizes selling narratives.
Note from Caspian Blue: Yes. Sadly Yes.