The Case for a Baroque Revival

As we navigate a world transformed by accelerating technological progress and shifting ideological landscapes, we face a critical question: How can we ensure that our values and experiences as human beings remain central in an era of unprecedented change? The answer lies in reviving the humanist spirit of the Baroque era, which celebrated the richness and complexity of ordinary human life in all its diversity. By refocusing societal attention on this essential insight, we can foster a culture that prioritizes human flourishing, counters the appeal of totalizing ideologies, and guides the development of transformative technologies like artificial superintelligence (ASI) in alignment with human values. The Baroque revival movement offers a vital vision for navigating the challenges of our time by grounding our cultural and intellectual endeavors in the lived realities of human experience.

The roots of humanism trace back to ancient Greece and Rome, where art and literature often explored human emotions and experiences in an idealized way. The centuries following Rome's fall saw a shift towards religious themes, focusing on the divine and transcendent. During the Renaissance, humanism reemerged with a renewed interest in classical learning and individual expression, but still emphasized idealized subjects.

During the Renaissance, humanism began to reassert itself, with a renewed interest in classical learning and a growing emphasis on individual expression and experience. However, even in this period, much of the focus remained on idealized or elevated subjects, such as the nobility or religious figures.

It was in the Baroque era, from the late 16th to mid-18th centuries, that the celebration of humanity truly blossomed. Baroque painters depicted ordinary people, flaws and all, in prominent displays of divinity, royalty, and mystical narratives. They also celebrated everyday life in genre paintings, elevating the mundane to the status of art worthy of celebration.

Baroque music celebrated ordinary existence by elevating dance music and incorporating it into sophisticated compositions. Bach's "Coffee Cantata" humorously depicted everyday pleasures and conflicts, while the rise of opera featured stories inspired by daily life.

Literature in the Baroque era reflected this growing interest in ordinary lives. Shakespeare's plays delved into human psychology and emotion across all walks of life. Montaigne and Bacon's essays explored personal thoughts, experiences, and observations. Novels like "Don Quixote" and "Tom Jones" featured everyday protagonists, celebrating the richness of mundane existence.

However, in the following centuries, Western culture gradually reverted to seeking superhuman ideals and higher truths as new ideologies rose to prominence. These ideologies often subordinated individual experiences to abstract principles or collective identities, enabling some of history's gravest atrocities. 

The central tenet of Baroque humanism—the recognition that every individual life is irreducibly complex and valuable—has been gradually receding in the centuries since, as societal attention has shifted towards abstract ideals and collective identities that often fail to fully account for the richness of lived experience. Our movement aims to refocus societal attention on this essential humanist insight that flourished during the Baroque era: the understanding that ordinary human experiences, in all their diversity and complexity, should be at the heart of our cultural expressions and shared values. By reconnecting with and elevating this core humanist principle, we seek to inspire a renewed appreciation for the importance of grounding our cultural and intellectual endeavors in the lived realities of human experience.

It is important to note that in advocating for a revival of Baroque humanism, we do not seek to uncritically celebrate or recreate the Baroque era itself, which had its own historical limitations and injustices. We acknowledge the necessity of guiding principles, such as self-determination, sustainability, and scientific inquiry, to align diverse perspectives towards shared objectives. However, we assert that these principles must arise from and remain grounded in the concrete realities of human existence.

The Baroque revival movement's emphasis on refocusing societal attention on the richness and complexity of ordinary human experiences is particularly relevant in the face of modern existential challenges. Two of the most pressing threats we face are the rise of totalizing ideologies and the potential emergence of misaligned artificial superintelligence (ASI).

Totalizing ideologies, such as ultra-nationalism, have given rise to totalitarian regimes that pose significant risks to global peace and stability. Given the destructive power of modern weapons, conflicts driven by these ideologies could have catastrophic consequences for humanity. By promoting a deeper appreciation for the inherent value and diversity of individual lives, the Baroque revival movement can help to counter the appeal of totalizing ideologies that often rely on dehumanizing and oversimplified narratives, fostering a more empathetic and nuanced political discourse.

The potential development of ASI that vastly surpasses human intelligence presents another profound existential risk. If we are unable to ensure that ASI is aligned with human values and interests, it may pursue goals that are detrimental or even catastrophic to humanity. For ASI to be naturally aligned with humanity, it must not only understand the intricacies of human experience but also embrace and sympathize with humans on a fundamental level. The Baroque revival movement's emphasis on grounding our cultural and intellectual endeavors in the lived realities of human experience can help to create an environment in which the development of ASI is guided by a deep appreciation for the richness and diversity of human life.

The intersection of these two threats is particularly concerning. If the development of ASI is driven by competing totalizing ideologies, the risks of misalignment and catastrophic outcomes are greatly amplified. In such a scenario, the resulting ASI may not only be misaligned with human values in general but could also be imbued with the dangerous and dehumanizing principles of those ideologies. The Baroque revival movement's advocacy for a renewed focus on the primacy of lived experience can help to establish a shared cultural and intellectual framework that transcends ideological divisions, reducing the likelihood of ASI development being influenced by narrow, extremist perspectives.

While the Baroque revival movement does not claim to offer comprehensive solutions to these challenges, its core principles can play a vital role in mitigating existential risks. By refocusing societal attention on the richness of ordinary human life, we can help to counter the appeal of totalizing ideologies and promote the development of naturally aligned ASI. As we navigate the complex landscape of modern existential threats, the Baroque revival movement offers a compelling vision for grounding our cultural and intellectual endeavors in the lived realities of human experience, ultimately safeguarding the future of humanity.

To advance the Baroque revival movement, we propose the following key actions:

• Promote and support artists, musicians, writers, and thinkers who celebrate the richness and complexity of ordinary human life in their work.

• Encourage public discourse and education that emphasizes the importance of grounding our cultural, intellectual, and technological endeavors in the lived realities of human experience.

• Foster interdisciplinary collaboration among humanists, scientists, technologists, and policymakers to ensure that the development of transformative technologies aligns with human values and interests.

We invite all those who recognize the vital importance of centering human experience in an age of rapid change to join us in the Baroque revival movement. Together, we can create a future in which the richness and complexity of ordinary human life remain at the heart of our shared values, guiding our cultural, intellectual, and technological progress for the benefit of all.