The Enlightenment wasn't confined to dusty libraries and royal courts. Its revolutionary ideas flourished in vibrant gathering places, where minds met and conversations ignited. So, where *would* people gather to talk during the Enlightenment?
Think coffeehouses, buzzing hubs of intellectual exchange. For a penny, you could sip exotic brews and debate politics, philosophy, and the latest scientific discoveries. Salons, often hosted by influential women, provided a more refined atmosphere for discussing art, literature, and social reforms. Universities, of course, remained crucial centers of learning and debate, although sometimes resistant to radical new ideas.
Don't forget Masonic lodges, which, despite their secrecy, fostered a spirit of rational inquiry and brotherhood. And even public gardens and squares served as informal meeting spots, where ideas could be shared and debated amongst the populace. These spaces, both grand and humble, were the fertile ground where Enlightenment ideals took root and blossomed, shaping the modern world.
