https://pjmedia.com/michaelledeen/2011/10/22/the-special-relationship-between-doom-and-creativity/feed/PJ Media is a leading news site covering culture, politics, faith, homeland security, and more. Our reporters and columnists provide original, in-depth analysis from a variety of perspectives.en-usWed, 10 Jun 2026 01:40:52 -0400<![CDATA[My new book, Virgil&#8217;s Golden Egg and Other Neapolitan Miracles, investigates why Neapolitans are so creative, and have been for centuries.  It&#8217;s a world&#8217;s record, I think.  The Florentine Renaissance was amazing, too, but it was largely over after two and a half centuries.  The Golden Age of Periclean Athens was less than one hundred years, as was the American &#8220;Truly Greatest Generation&#8221; of the War, the Constitution, and the consolidation of the state.  What accounts for explosions of creativity?  And what keeps it going?]]>Sat, 22 Oct 2011 12:14:42 -0400<![CDATA[Michael Ledeen]]>https://pjmedia.com/michael-ledeen/2011/10/22/the-special-relationship-between-doom-and-creativity-n187403