--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Modernity is the ensemble of changes…" description: "\"Modernity is the ensemble of changes - intellectual, political, economic, social, cultural, technological, aesthetic - that have altered the world dras..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/236/george-scialabba-53818_17th-century_modernity-is-the-ensemble-of-changes-int_3159793.jpg" --- # Modernity is the ensemble of changes - intellectual… ![“Modernity is the ensemble of changes - intellectual, political, economic, social, cultural, technological, aesthetic - that have altered the world drastically since roughly the 17th century, until which time the world was, in the above respects, far less different from the world of any previous…” quote by George Scialabba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/236/george-scialabba-53818_17th-century_modernity-is-the-ensemble-of-changes-int_3159793.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/236/george-scialabba-53818_17th-century_modernity-is-the-ensemble-of-changes-int_3159793.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/236/george-scialabba-53818_17th-century_modernity-is-the-ensemble-of-changes-int_3159793.jpg) > “Modernity is the ensemble of changes - intellectual, political, economic, social, cultural, technological, aesthetic - that have altered the world drastically since roughly the 17th century, until which time the world was, in the above respects, far less different from the world of any previous epoch of recorded history than it is from the world of today. The modern predicament is the set of problems these changes have bequeathed us.” [George Scialabba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-scialabba/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Modernity describes sweeping changes since the 17th century that make today’s world vastly different from earlier eras, creating new problems. **In simple terms:** Modern changes bring new problems. Key Takeaway Recognize and address modern challenges. Themes history change society technology culture Mood reflective analytical Type philosophical critical When to use this quote - education - policy making - urban planning - media analysis Key Concepts modernity epochal shift problem framing Questions to Reflect On - How do you experience modern change? - What problems arise from rapid progress? A Different Perspective Modernity also brings opportunities, not just problems. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [17th century](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/17th-century/) [Aesthetic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/aesthetic/) [Altered](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/altered/) [Century](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/century/) [Change](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/change/) [Different](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/different/) [Economic](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/economic/) [Ensemble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ensemble/) [Epoch](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/epoch/) [History](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/history/) [Intellectual](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/intellectual/) [Modern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern/) [Modern Predicament](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modern-predicament-5706872/) [Modernity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modernity/) [Modernity Ensemble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/modernity-ensemble-5706871/) [Political](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/political/) [Predicaments](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/predicaments/) [Problem](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/problem/) [Social](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/social/) [Technological](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/technological/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Today](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today/) [Today Modern](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/today-modern-2604819/) [World](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/world/) ## Related quotes > [Fathers in today's modern families can be so many things.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/oliver-hudson/fathers-in-today-s-modern-families-can-be-so-many-things/) [Oliver Hudson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/oliver-hudson/) > [It's difficult being a midfielder in today's modern game.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andreas-pereira/it-s-difficult-being-a-midfielder-in-today-s-modern-game/) [Andreas Pereira](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andreas-pereira/) > [It's about having that nice balance. I think that's the answer to today's modern girl who is on the run. She's throwing on something…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/emilia-wickstead/it-s-about-having-that-nice-balance-i-think-that-s-the-answer-to/) [Emilia Wickstead](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/emilia-wickstead/) > [Order can arise from chaos without anyone or anything directing the process when unstable combinations of atoms perish and others persist. In the 17th…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-wilson/order-can-arise-from-chaos-without-anyone-or-anything-directing-the/) [Catherine Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-wilson/) > [Each of us have things and thoughts and descriptions of an amazing universe in our possession that kings in the 17th Century would have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kary-mullis/each-of-us-have-things-and-thoughts-and-descriptions-of-an-amazing/) [Kary Mullis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kary-mullis/) > [Technologically I live in the 17th century. I have a very simple cell phone. I say I live through the kindness of strangers, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/technologically-i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-have-a-very-simple-cell/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [You cannot gauge the intelligence of an American by talking with him; you must work with him. The American polishes and refines his way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/you-cannot-gauge-the-intelligence-of-an-american-by-talking-with-him/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [I'd share a pic if the digital camera battery wasn't as flat as 17th century Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-haynes/i-d-share-a-pic-if-the-digital-camera-battery-wasn-t-as-flat-as-17th/) [Simon Haynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-haynes/) > [I would love to do a period piece - in the 18th or 17th century. To me, it would be such an incredible challenge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-smart/i-would-love-to-do-a-period-piece-in-the-18th-or-17th-century-to-me/) [Amy Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-smart/) > [Yes, I would agree that America, just like Spain was in the 17th Century, is the main empire of the world and they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/yes-i-would-agree-that-america-just-like-spain-was-in-the-17th/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [I'm from Holland and the history of "Admiral" is something you would read about when you're at school. Nobody knows about these stories and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roel-reine/i-m-from-holland-and-the-history-of-admiral-is-something-you-would/) [Roel Reine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roel-reine/) > [“It combined corrupt simplicity with delicate ferocity, a curious variety of civilization; a tiger with a simper.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/it-combined-corrupt-simplicity-with-delicate-ferocity-a-curious/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [Perhaps people need to understand some history here. Rene Descartes, in the late 16th, early 17th century, postulated that body, mind, physicality and spirituality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/perhaps-people-need-to-understand-some-history-here-rene-descartes-in/) [Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/) > [With Brexit, and I think the extraordinary strain it's put on our constitution and our representative democracy, I do sometimes feel like I'm in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-morgan/with-brexit-and-i-think-the-extraordinary-strain-it-s-put-on-our/) [Nicky Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-morgan/) > [Recently I was reading somewhere or other an Italian curio-dealer who attempted to sell a 17th century crucifix to J.P. Morgan. Inside it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/recently-i-was-reading-somewhere-or-other-an-italian-curio-dealer-who/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) ## More by George Scialabba > [The more powerful a person or institution is, the more transparent - open to public inspection or oversight - its activities should be. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-scialabba/the-more-powerful-a-person-or-institution-is-the-more-transparent/) [George Scialabba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-scialabba/) > [The quality of leaders matters less than the quality of citizens.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-scialabba/the-quality-of-leaders-matters-less-than-the-quality-of-citizens/) [George Scialabba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-scialabba/) > [What is enthralling and illuminating about The Metaphysical Club is its portraits of individuals and their milieus. Menand is wonderfully deft at evoking a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-scialabba/what-is-enthralling-and-illuminating-about-the-metaphysical-club-is/) [George Scialabba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-scialabba/) > [When you're a hammer, everything looks like a nail; and when you're a left-wing sorehead, everything is an occasion to damn the rich.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-scialabba/when-you-re-a-hammer-everything-looks-like-a-nail-and-when-you-re-a/) [George Scialabba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-scialabba/) > [Perhaps imagination is only intelligence having fun.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-scialabba/perhaps-imagination-is-only-intelligence-having-fun/) [George Scialabba](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-scialabba/) [Explore all 6 George Scialabba quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-scialabba/) ## More 17th century quotes > [Recently I was reading somewhere or other an Italian curio-dealer who attempted to sell a 17th century crucifix to J.P. Morgan. Inside it was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/george-orwell/recently-i-was-reading-somewhere-or-other-an-italian-curio-dealer-who/) [George Orwell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/george-orwell/) > [With Brexit, and I think the extraordinary strain it's put on our constitution and our representative democracy, I do sometimes feel like I'm in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nicky-morgan/with-brexit-and-i-think-the-extraordinary-strain-it-s-put-on-our/) [Nicky Morgan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nicky-morgan/) > [Perhaps people need to understand some history here. Rene Descartes, in the late 16th, early 17th century, postulated that body, mind, physicality and spirituality…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-mitchell/perhaps-people-need-to-understand-some-history-here-rene-descartes-in/) [Edgar Mitchell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-mitchell/) > [“It combined corrupt simplicity with delicate ferocity, a curious variety of civilization; a tiger with a simper.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/victor-hugo/it-combined-corrupt-simplicity-with-delicate-ferocity-a-curious/) [Victor Hugo](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/victor-hugo/) > [I'm from Holland and the history of "Admiral" is something you would read about when you're at school. Nobody knows about these stories and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/roel-reine/i-m-from-holland-and-the-history-of-admiral-is-something-you-would/) [Roel Reine](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/roel-reine/) > [Yes, I would agree that America, just like Spain was in the 17th Century, is the main empire of the world and they are…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/viggo-mortensen/yes-i-would-agree-that-america-just-like-spain-was-in-the-17th/) [Viggo Mortensen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/viggo-mortensen/) > [I would love to do a period piece - in the 18th or 17th century. To me, it would be such an incredible challenge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-smart/i-would-love-to-do-a-period-piece-in-the-18th-or-17th-century-to-me/) [Amy Smart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-smart/) > [I'd share a pic if the digital camera battery wasn't as flat as 17th century Earth.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/simon-haynes/i-d-share-a-pic-if-the-digital-camera-battery-wasn-t-as-flat-as-17th/) [Simon Haynes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/simon-haynes/) > [You cannot gauge the intelligence of an American by talking with him; you must work with him. The American polishes and refines his way…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/eric-hoffer/you-cannot-gauge-the-intelligence-of-an-american-by-talking-with-him/) [Eric Hoffer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/eric-hoffer/) > [Technologically I live in the 17th century. I have a very simple cell phone. I say I live through the kindness of strangers, because…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iris-apfel/technologically-i-live-in-the-17th-century-i-have-a-very-simple-cell/) [Iris Apfel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iris-apfel/) > [Each of us have things and thoughts and descriptions of an amazing universe in our possession that kings in the 17th Century would have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kary-mullis/each-of-us-have-things-and-thoughts-and-descriptions-of-an-amazing/) [Kary Mullis](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kary-mullis/) > [Order can arise from chaos without anyone or anything directing the process when unstable combinations of atoms perish and others persist. In the 17th…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/catherine-wilson/order-can-arise-from-chaos-without-anyone-or-anything-directing-the/) [Catherine Wilson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/catherine-wilson/) > [The data, however, do indicate that Christians who see Jews through a 17th-century lens, believing that most are thoroughly religious, are thoroughly wrong.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/marvin-olasky/the-data-however-do-indicate-that-christians-who-see-jews-through-a/) [Marvin Olasky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/marvin-olasky/) > [The technologies for the alternative energy sources exists today. The economics are compelling. The public health is compelling. Why would we maintain a focus…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-f-kennedy-jr/the-technologies-for-the-alternative-energy-sources-exists-today-the/) [Robert F. Kennedy, Jr](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-f-kennedy-jr/) > [Religion is a practical discipline and in the 17th century in the West, we turned it onto a head trip. But it's like dancing,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karen-armstrong/religion-is-a-practical-discipline-and-in-the-17th-century-in-the/) [Karen Armstrong](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karen-armstrong/) [Browse all 43 17th century quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/17th-century/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Modernity is the ensemble of changes - intellectual, political, economic, social, cultural, technological, aesthetic - that have altered the world drastically since roughly the 17th century, until which time the world was, in the above respects, far less different from the world of any previous epoch of recorded history than it is from the world of today. 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