The differences between the modern world we live in and the days of yesteryear are quite significant. If we just notice differences in architecture, we can see that the way things were created, such as a modern chandelier and a traditional chandelier, the way an ancient Roman building is created versus one of modern times, or the changes between cabinets and the objects we keep around the house. These changes come about for practical reasons such as the tools and materials at hand, but also because of the mindset of the civilization which created it.
If we note the design of churches in previous times, we can see the way the priests wished to have their ideas represented. Paintings were designed as “icons”, symbols of the stories from the holy book that were meant to be worshipped as things from above by the people below. The Sistine Chapel, for instance, is a massive roof painted by Michaelangelo that creates the sensation of awe within the viewer.
In today’s world, we live a more fractured lifestyle, in which one dominate way of believing is not adhered to by everyone. We can see in the artwork of Picasso or Salvador Dali an ever-changing range of styles, as they hoped desperately to not repeat themselves all the time. Someone taking the stylistic risks that these artists took in ancient times would be laughed out of the city, if not burnt at the stake!
It’s often believed that in modern times, we’ve reached the most advanced way of thinking. This is certainly so in terms of the technology we utilize, it’s now simpler than ever to achieve any number of tasks that even as long as a hundred years ago would have taken weeks or months to achieve.
However, our understanding of the way our mind is attached to any sort of higher power has been massively decreased. Many would note this as a good thing, as the truth of no existence of a creator has been at last revealed. This outlook obviously has an impact on the way our lives are structured. With no conscious maker to please, many have turned to artificiality and consumerism as a way to attain satisfaction. Our trust in science has lessened the role of the church, and in the sense of community within the areas we live. Now a great number of our issues are solved by drugs, but the rate at which these chemicals are being consumed points to the possibility that the issues are not actually being solved.
While sensing a higher spiritual being may be impossible, it’s important that we don’t grow arrogant about being the most advanced race in history. There are still lessons to be learnt about what those before us have thought and how they lived their lives. By exploring the artwork, architecture and history of those who came before us, we can learn methods to improve our own ways of living in the world.
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