You seem to think you’re disagreeing with me, but you’re not. There was certainly a rejection of the present-day traditions, as I’ve already said. The difference between the Renaissance and Modernism as art movements, though, is that during the Renaissance there was an emphasis on looking to the past as inspiration, while during Modernism there was an emphasis on breaking with the past, including contemporary traditions, to “make it new.” There were exceptions, but the exceptions don’t negate the rule. One can find this or that aspect in which my claims “aren’t true,” but that misses the forest for the trees. The absence of pine trees doesn’t mean there’s not a forest.

The Modern Era that arose after the Renaissance was certainly individualistic, but the Postmodern Era that arise after Modernism is simultaneously radically individualistic and collectivist in nature — the latter due to the former, in many ways. Thinkers like Lyotard are in part responsible for that. We have to look beyond Post-(Script)-Modernist thinkers. There’s a new way of thinking out there that’s extremely radical, but will only arise when the current ways of thinking have reached full decadence. I’m pretty sure we’re already at the decadent level, but clearly the breakdown isn’t yet complete.