Posted
by Dan Ewert : 7/28/2004 12:00:00 PM (Archive Link)
The Devolution of the Renaissance Man
This is a fun editorial… actually, wait… no this is supposed to be an actual news story in the Chicago Sun-Times Lifestyles section. It’s by Mike Thomas. He declares John Kerry to be a Renaissance Man and compares him to such luminaries as Leonardo Da Vinci, Benjamin Franklin, and ummm… P. Diddy, aka Puff Daddy, aka Puffy, aka Sean “Puffy” Combs. That certainly makes for an interesting grouping. He bases this on how Kerry’s interests and skills are so numerous and varied. Now let’s look at the comparisons a little more closely using the article’s own descriptions:
Da Vinci was a painter, sculptor, scientist, mathematician, and inventor.
Franklin was a printer, inventor, “electrical engineer,” physicist, writer, and founder of libraries and fire departments.
Diddy is a Grammy-winning rap artist, an excellent businessman, a clothes designer, a self-made millionaire, and a Broadway performer.
Kerry is a motorcycle rider, a small plane pilot, a guy who went to college, a guy who plays hockey, a good skier and snowboarder (except, I guess, when those “son of a bitch” Secret Service guys get in his way), a hunter (of deer on his belly with a shotgun… huh?!), and a guitar player.
Notice a difference? The first three guys used their extraordinary abilities (even, grudgingly, P. Diddy who’s at least a great businessman and self-made millionaire) to produce artistic works and/or knowledge for mankind. Kerry has used his abilities to become skilled at recreational activities. According to Thomas, this qualifies Kerry for the pantheon of greatness.
I also really like this line: “Kerry is, however, perfectly willing to flex his polymath chops, to demonstrate his accomplishment in several disparate disciplines before cameras and crowds. To, for instance, … campaign for the nation's highest office while simultaneously tending to senatorial duties” Uh-huh. Isn’t this the same Senator Kerry who has missed 80% of the Senate votes this year while he’s been out campaigning? “Tending” to senatorial duties? Sure… tending to them very poorly.