Dreams and Machinations by Emma

Dreams and Machinations by Emma - February 2016 Scholarship Essay

When someone asks me a question similar to the given prompt – something like, “what famous person would you most like to meet?” or “what historical figure do you most admire?” – my mind goes immediately to those we see as geniuses. Einstein is usually my first thought, followed by Tesla, because it would be incredible to see and interact with someone whose mind bubbles over with such innovation and curiosity, and the drive to act on those things, in person. How would they act? What would be their favorite conversation topic? Would they be good conversationalists, or would their own thoughts distract them? It would be fascinating, in so many respects, to have dinner with any of these people.
But what does one talk about with such a person? Many people who have made such great contributions to civilization have rather focused interests, most of the time on things that many of us don’t even possess the context necessary to understand. (Were we taught in physics class the level of understanding that it would take to even have a casual conversation with Einstein about the theories at the forefront of his mind and work?) The famous person may have a wealth of intriguing information, but what contributions to the conversation could the one being asked the question of who to meet make? Yes, one wants to meet this person, but what do you do in the meeting? I, personally, don’t trust myself to be able to hold a meaningful conversation with many of the geniuses that are my kneejerk reaction to want to meet. So people like Einstein, Tesla, Edison, Curie – they are out.
But I still want to interact with someone who changed the world in a massive way. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime, revolutionizing experience. So much could be learned just from observing how they act and speak. This is why, if I could have dinner with any historical figure, I would choose Leonardo da Vinci.
Da Vinci was an artist, yes, and an inventor, but he was also a scientist and an architect and a musician and a cartographer and… The list seems endless. He was what is known as a Renaissance man, brimming with curiosity and genius. He gave us many beautiful works of art, so famous that you can probably name several without me even mentioning one, and designed inventions similar to helicopters and tanks several centuries before they became reality. He studied anatomy and physiology, botany and zoology, geology and aeronautics. He used this knowledge to improve his art, and his artistic knowledge and perspective influenced his scientific studies. One could have a conversation with da Vinci about virtually anything. Our perspectives on the same subjects he studied are so different and so more knowledgeable due to the centuries separating them that no matter what one knew, one could still hold a conversation that would doubtlessly interest him. Even if one knew nothing about any of these subjects, or was too star-struck by his mere presence to speak, da Vinci would be fascinated enough by the design of the presumable setting of a modern restaurant and by these tiny computers full of infinite information called “phones” that one wouldn’t have to worry about him getting bored. One would be able to avoid the embarrassment of not having anything to talk about with this historical figure one wants so much to meet.
So that takes care of the nagging worry about being boring that would plague anyone eating dinner with a famed historical figure. Now, the inevitable question, doubtless the actual point of this essay: What would I, personally, stand to get out of meeting Leo da Vinci? That phrasing is selfish, but it’s accurate. Da Vinci isn’t going to get much out of me, nothing more than he gets from any other interactions with the dozens of comparatively unremarkable people he encounters every day. I think the main thing that I would get out of this dinner, the main reason I chose da Vinci, would be discussing his creative processes.
As a creator myself, I’m fascinated by how others go about the business of creating. Where does their inspiration come from? What do they think of their ideas, when they first pop into their heads? How long do they have to act on an idea, before they lose interest or begin to hate it? How do they follow through with their ideas, choosing which ones to bring to reality and making it happen? Da Vinci seems like an incredible person to discuss this kind of thing with. His interests and accomplishments are so incredibly genius and diverse, he doubtless has many, many creative processes going at the same time. I would love to find out how da Vinci thinks – both as an opportunity to possibly find new methods to try with my own creative process, and out of sheer curiosity and fascination. (I’m kind of a psychology person too, so I would love to see how da Vinci’s brain worked.)
In my opinion, Leonardo da Vinci is one of the most fascinating historical figures of all time. I would love to interact with him, if only for a short time, and I believe he would somewhat enjoy it too. It would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for us both.