Renaissance

Re-discovery of Classical thought in Europe roughly 1400-1600. The present trend among historians is to discuss each so-called renaissance in more particular terms, e.g., the Italian Renaissance, the English Renaissance, etc. This terminology is particularly useful because it eliminates the need for fitting "The Renaissance" into a chronology that previously held that it was preceded by the Middle Ages and followed by the Reformation (and then Age of Enlightenment), which many believe to be inaccurate. The entire period is now often replaced by the term "Early-Modern".

Venkatesh Rao: A renaissance is basically a persistent non-dumb serendipity condition that resists easy mimetic virality. You have to earn entrance into the casino even if you’re exceptionally well-positioned.