After the forefathers of the Enlightenment left their mark on civilization, a slow yet distinct procession toward equality began. This procession, even then, had in its sights many important outcomes which were not necessarily articulated in its primary purpose, namely: political equality, economic mobility, and classless societies. Considering that this period was no more than 300 years ago, one can see how our world is still shaped by this transfer of ideology, and remains under the same laws of its implementation. This entry is intended to highlight some of the effects of this school of thought as they exist in the form of it that has reached the early 21st century (2000-2024 precisely).

Enlightenment era ideology and philosophy became known for its ability to inspire revolt coming from those who supported it - directed obviously at those who opposed it. As secular logic began to enter into the upper castes of Europe (the educated, the politically represented, the bourgeoisie, and even the clergy), a social change started to form, and become necessary. By the time of the French Revolution, the masses of Europe were well aware of the ways by which they had been rendered politically obsolete by feudal lords, aristocrats and clergymen, whom decided the government and its members directly. This imbalance of power was more than enough for the young idealists and affected classes to band together: “Liberté, égalité, fraternité.” Along with material concerns, such as discrepancies between pay and taxation, the revolution occurred and the government was thus decided by the people for the people.

I will pause here and explain to the reader that this entry is in some ways theoretical; based on facts, combining assumptions. Back to the subject: while there were some setbacks, the revolutions which took place in the wake of the Enlightenment had manifested a government and a way of life that was unquestionably designed as a response to those of the preceding.

Aside from representation and the general paradigm shift, a massively influential, if not the most important, development of the post-Enlightenment, post-revolution time period was the new approach to city planning. Prior to this era, European cities were divided and spaced regarding class differences. There was the king with his court, the bourgeoisie and business owner in a more affluent and cleaner section of the city, the artisans and craftsman in a humbler yet live-able partition, and of course the laborer, and certainly the agrarian, living in dirtier and more earthly settings. The higher the class, the easier access to political and cultural activities. In fact, the only activity which shared itself to differing classes was that of Churchly gathering. By the time of the 19th century this started to change. Shopping outlets began to extend into the spheres of the lower classes, apartment complexes began to appear for the sake of housing a surplus in population as well as for providing access to those who wished to participate in an expanding economy. They also provided access to cultural activities for those who wished to understand them.

I will cite here the figure of Ludwig van Beethoven and compare him analogously to the mid 20th century rockstars the Doors to express how the arts were one of the first doorways which helped to further dissolve the class society. Now that the lower classes were becoming more educated and more communicable with the activities of upper class life in Europe, it became possible for new forms of employment to provide them with their livelihood - namely music in this case. The “van” in van Beethoven indicates a class background distinct from the one behind the “von” in, for example, Helene von Breuning, the woman who helped to grow his musical talent while away from his troubled home life. “Van” contrasts with “von” in that it is used by commoners, where “von” is used by the nobility. The figure of Beethoven, noted for his failed romances with continually prejudiced upper class women, was formed out of turmoil, typified by emotional disruption; his music characterized by a balance between fury and sadness. These traits, which accurately describe Beethoven, could very easily be found in an analyst’s notes on a young man led into the life of crime - an important feature to note in the post-Enlightenment world: for the first time in Europe we see a hero made not from his gallantry in war, but from his ability to navigate a perilous and emerging economic environment.

Assuming this line of development evolves through history, I’m going to jump forward to the mid 20th century and point out another significant shift, which takes place in the realm of American popular music. Indicating the ushering out of jazz vocalists, there emerges at the forefront of pop culture the rock singer. With bands like the Doors reaching icon status for their roughly grim western character, their lead man claiming to be a poet inspired by genius instead of a songwriter, we see a new social status parallel to that of Beethoven the commoner communicated through the modern archetype of the rock n roll musician. These are men who presented themselves as adepts in knowledge of the underbelly of urban America, who overindulged in illicit drugs, who eventually died form this lifestyle, entering into the public sphere on equal or perhaps greater footing than anyone else. Everything about the presence of rock n roll was at once fully engaging and outrightly defiant, constantly the center of attention as well as in a constant state of protest against regimes and traditional values. No doubt one of the most wide-spanning revolutions that has ever existed due to its place in the era of television and radio. Additionally, its appeal doesn’t seem to fade with time.

Fast forward again to the current day - early 21st century - and zoom in on the culture of the financial world as an attempt to notice the coming-full-circle of Enlightenment ideology, the conclusion of its ambitions, a conclusion quite similar to the state which inspired its revolt in the first place: the parallax of criminality and social stature. Although it doesn’t happen in every office or by each employee, it can be wagered to say that some of the most expensive criminals exist in this most powerful symbol of liberty. In this industry we see once again the elite personage of a society participating in actions which quite literally rob the public of their value and quite figuratively, by way of a cultural attitude and hierarchy, displace the aspirant’s significance in favor of members who pull along with them the aforementioned criminal appeal of pop culture. Essentially, the aspect of criminal tendency makes a business proposal more enticing, a person more interesting. Although they aren’t personally a criminal, carrying the image of promoting or provoking a criminal response makes the Wall Street actor that much more appealing. It’s almost a culture of rap-battling, a measurement of who has the most “street cred,” albeit only rhetorical in nature. The criminal verbal exchange brings with it an almost timeless and priceless value within the financing machine, a commodity which is so rarefied and so totally imbued with status - through and through - that its presence acts as some kind of godliness to be obeyed. Is everyone a Madoff?: hell no! But do they sorta pretend to be?: sure thing. Maybe I know a little bit about it because I’m a New Yorker, but it should be evident to anyone. If you aren’t versed in the cultural attitude of the stock market, I’m not going to enlighten you, but the norm is observable.

Any thoughts?