Part III: The Renaissance Men

September 15th, 2011

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In the fall of 1727 Ben Franklin assembled a group of men. They shared a spirit of inquiry and a desire to improve themselves, their community, and one another. This organization prospered for nearly four decades and was known as the Junto. With few exceptions, the members of the group were practical men: entrepreneurs, merchants, and businessmen. Some were married. Some single. Some had children. Others not. And only a few had much formal education.

What they did bring to the group was a burning curiosity to learn about the world. They also brought varying backgrounds, interests, and passions. They knew much of many different things.

To become a member, four questions had to be answered:
1. “Do you have disrespect for any current member?” (No)
2. “Do you love mankind in general regardless of religion or profession?” (Yes)
3. “Do you feel people should ever be punished because of their opinions or mode of worship?” (No)
4. “Do you love and pursue truth for its own sake?” (Yes)

The Junto thrived. It was both an inquiry group and a mutual aid society through which members could borrow books and educate themselves, borrow money to support their business endeavors, and help one another. Mutual respect and support were foundational values, rooted in the core of each individual.

Everyone was required to contribute. There were no selfish bastards allowed here. And while membership could have easily grown very large, old Benny Boy limited the group size, and suggested instead that individuals form their own like-minded groups.

In order to succeed, he believed that to it’s core, intimacy and true long-lasting friendship were required. Only then would the strongest sense of brotherhood and intellectual honesty prevail.

I’ve always believed in the power of the individual. The ability for men to do extraordinary things. But I’ve also believed in something that I think is far greater than the individual. The power that results when an army of individuals do extraordinary things together.

I’ve always been disappointed by the way the media seems to glorify sole individuals over their teams of individuals. You see it a lot in Boston. Particularly with regards to startups. Young, brash entrepreneurs being glorified in the spotlight as the leaders of tomorrow.

I can always tell a real winner from a real loser by the way individuals acknowledge their teams of men and women. With the emergence of Twitter and other public boasting platforms, it often times helps to amplify where individuals stand: are they for the people? Or for themselves?

And so I present to you a challenge.

I’m calling for a new age of entrepreneurs and businessmen and women in the city of Boston.

People to run this town.

And I’m looking for the best of the best.

And while I could say I am just beginning, anyone who knows me well knows that I have laid a few tracks of my own over the past eight years. And as this plan unrolls, I believe it will bring a smile to your face.

Back in the day, there were people who excelled across a wide range of talents. Like old Benny Boy. And men like Leonardo Da Vinci, Leon Battista, Thomas Jefferson, Michelangelo, Galileo, and Isaac Newton. Men whose names are remembered for the ages.

Men who excelled in art, and science, and music, and business. Men who people loved for their curiosity. Men who people loved because they wanted to build.

Killer, monster, murderers. In the greatest sense of the word. Work ethic to the max.

Well educated, athletic, articulate, gentlemen. And women of course. The type of people with potential to excel across anything they attempt. The type of people who grab life by the horns and pile drive it into the heavens. The type of people who make you proud. Who make you better by inspiring you. Who allow you to believe in something. And who make you say… I want to BE them.

I’m talking about Renaissance Men.

A new day is upon you in the city of Boston my friends. Welcome home.

http://therenaissancemen.com/