Romanticism - also known as the Romantic era or movement - emerged in late 18th-century Europe as a profound response to the rationalism of the Enlightenment and the growing mechanization ushered in by the Industrial Revolution. More than a mere artistic trend, Romanticism was a sweeping cultural and intellectual force that reshaped literature, art, music, and philosophy.
At its core, Romanticism celebrated the individual - his subjectivity, imagination, and emotional depth. In contrast to the Enlightenment's emphasis on logic, order, and empirical reason, Romantic thinkers and artists turned toward intuition, personal experience, and the mysterious dimensions of existence. To them, reason alone seemed limited-even sterile-when weighed against the richness of human emotion and creative insight. Nature, in the Romantic view, was not simply a backdrop or a resource to be harnessed; it was a living, spiritual presence infused with meaning.
Crucially, Romanticism did not seek to reject reason, but to restore balance - reaffirming the human spirit and the value of wonder in an increasingly mechanized and disenchanted world. Its legacy lives on in the enduring power of art to stir the heart, challenge the intellect, and awaken the soul to life's deeper mysteries.
In the 21st century, a new intellectual current is gaining momentum: "Scientific Neo-Romanticism". Building on the foundations of 19th-century Scientific Romanticism, this modern evolution places greater emphasis on consciousness, spirituality, and the notion of informational reality. It reflects the profound impact of emerging technologies-computers, artificial intelligence, and quantum computation-on how we perceive the universe and our place within it.
A compelling example of this new wave can be found in digital media. The YouTube channel Designed World features short films that capture the aesthetic and philosophical spirit of Scientific Neo-Romanticism. Many of these videos draw inspiration from the work of Dr. S. V. Chekanov, particularly his 2024 book "The Designed World of Information: Unveiling the Incredible Realm Beyond". In this visionary text, Chekanov explores the interplay between information, meaning, and reality through a romantic-scientific lens. The video stories based on this book were accompanying by an Australian composer Scott Buckley, who released his library tracks under the cinematic Creative Commons.
Are we witnessing the dawn of a new romantic era in science? Perhaps it's too early to say. Yet one thing is increasingly evident: the spirit of Scientific Neo-Romanticism resonates with a deep and growing longing - for meaning in this information reality, for wonder, and for a more profound sense of connection in a world increasingly shaped by data and code.
In this age of accelerating knowledge, Scientific Neo-Romanticism reminds us that the most transformative discoveries are not only measured-they are deeply felt. Through art, and scientific thought, this emerging movement invites us to rediscover the awe that first ignited human curiosity and the desire to understand the cosmos through science.
It is, in every sense, a truly romantic journey.
by T.Markom (editor)