Re

People are often weary of doing things again. Sequels rarely measure up to the original. Ideas become trite. Reconciled relationships usually do not stayed reconciled. The cynic reminds us that experience usually trumps hope.

In truth, though, revision is the lifeblood of everything that is of quality. Artists, writers and performers mull over their work dozens of times until it is perfect. They understand that no one can create perfection the first time through. Whether it is Shakespeare, Mozart or Michelangelo, their work is filled with mistakes and reworking.

At the Academia in Florence, David stands as a masterpiece. People forget what the rest of the museum holds, though. To the left of David is a room filled with Michelangelo’s practice sculptures. Michelangelo would test things through on cheap plaster and measure distances. After several run-throughs on plaster, he would then move on to expensive marble. At the entrance to the Academia are some of his unfinished marble works. They are unfinished because he messed up. Even with careful practice, precise measurements and a massive amount genius, he faltered and wasted very expensive pieces of marble. The greatest ever still fucked up just like the rest of us.

Those that become too confident and stop revising are the ones that truly fail. We see it in the “classic” director and the sell-out band. Their new work is never as good as their older stuff. It is because they believe the hype, surround themselves with sycophants and stop going back.

Before Jamestown, there was failed Roanoke. Our Constitution had the Articles of Confederation, not to mention twenty-seven amendments. The Wright brothers spent four years crashing gliders before being credited with inventing the airplane and they kept working after that. And for those who would like a sport analogy- without rebounds, no team can win a basketball game.

The correction is a wonderful thing, really. We can all start anew in a world of forgiveness and second chances. We can all have a renaissance.

Adding a “Re” can make things even better.