Extending an Online Olive Branch Between Digital Demographics

Dear Digital Immigrant,

An Introduction
I realize that I am addressing an audience that may not recognize their own identity, so I will begin by introducing myself: I am a digital native. I was born into technology and can’t remember a world without it. I’m fluent in Adobe Illustrator, thrive on Instagram, and can navigate Google better than the streets of my own hometown.

You, on the other hand, may be a digital immigrant: someone who didn’t grow up with a keyboard at your fingertips. Memes are a foreign dialect to you. The term VSCO girl may not exist in your vocabulary. You probably reminisce about the days where face-to-face interactions exceeded those on FaceTime, and understand how to use an actual, physical map...

I might actually be jealous of that last part. 

Ad Scriptum

Ad fontes. This Latin expression, meaning "back to the sources," was a major theme during the Renaissance. Scholars, artists, and influential thinkers looked back to the Greeks and the Romans for inspiration in their perspective fields. In a recent discussion with a few classmates of mine, we determined the theme of ad fontes was the driving force that led to other Renaissance themes, such as humanism.

As important as the theme of ad fontes was to the Renaissance, we felt it had an even greater impact on the Reformation. Indeed, the concept of going back to the sources sparked the whole movement. Without the foundation of ad fontes, there would have been no Protestant Reformation. In this way, the Renaissance ultimately brought about the Reformation.

Braving the Wilderness: The Quest to Expand Man's Horizons

“For God, Glory, and Gold!“

Upon hearing the excitement of the great natural resources, outlandish rumors, and vast uncharted territory in North America, many European countries sought out their own expedition to discover and claim the ‘New World’ for themselves. It was the Age of Discovery; it was the Renaissance; it was the chance to change the world.

During our salon, my classmates and I were able to identify ‘New Worlds’—worlds that weren’t focused on discovering the unfamiliar terrain, but the sphere of the 'unknown' during the Renaissance, Reformation, and other eras throughout history.

A Renaissance in Me

A rebirth. A renewal. A reform.
Changing. Beginning. Enlightening.
Such is a renaissance.

I feel like I can relate to this time period quite a bit. I bet that some things during the time of the Renaissance felt uncomfortable for those who were experiencing them. They were used to seeing things and processing things in a certain manner, and then little by little those comfortable ways were changing. I have felt like this in my life as well. I have felt things shifting and changing in my life as I mature and enter new phases of learning and growing. Often, some of these things feel uncomfortable. They are opportunities to stretch and apply myself in ways that I never have before.  Some of these things come through school, others through family life and personal relationships.

Just like the historical Italian Renaissance, often I do not recognize my growth and change as important - except in retrospect. When I reflect on my life 5 years ago, I can almost tangibly feel the emotions and struggles that I was experiencing - I had just left the country, traveled halfway across the world, and found myself deep in a culture that I knew nothing about.

My first day in Peru, November 2014

Writing For The Lute 101

Rhythm. Beats. Music.

One of the best ways to express our emotions and ideas is through music.

During the 14th century, the Renaissance period was a time where society “rebirthed” the ancient Greek and Rome culture. Not only did the people rediscover the virtues of classical philosophy, art, and literature, they were able to rebirth themselves through music as well.

To help me feel that rediscovery, I followed the rules of composition used during the Renaissance period and transcribed “Row, Row, Row, Your Boat” into a commonly used tablature written for the lute.

"Row, Row, Row, Your Boat" in classical lute tablature form. By no means is this 100% accurate.

It’s quite different from modern composition!

Old Fashioned and Over the Hill

I haven't always listened to what most people would consider to be popular music. In fact, I rarely listen to music written within the last 15 years. When I was younger, the only music worth its salt in my opinion was classic rock. While my friends were listening to Justin Bieber, Maroon 5, and Miley Cyrus, I was listening to Van Halen, Jimi Hendrix, or Pink Floyd. In my fourth grade class my teacher gave out the assignment to write about on of our life heroes. While most of my classmates chose to write about some of the world's greatest leaders (Ghandi, Washington, etc.) I wrote about Led Zeppelin's Jimmy Page.