Romanticism or Modernistic?

Throughout our DigiCiv class, we have touched on various aspect of world history - some are pleasant, interesting, exciting, fascinating, and fun; while others are less so.  Two topics that we have discussed have particularly been interesting to me: Romanticism and Modernism.  But what are they, really?

Romanticism was an "Artistic movement emerging from Germany emphasizing appreciation of nature, creativity, individualism, imagination, and beauty (as a response to Enlightenment rationalism and intellectualism). Romanticism idealized the past, reinforced nationalism, and explored the darker part of the human psyche"

Romanticism touched on art, architecture, literature, fashion, as well as the individuals' attitudes, ideas, ideals, and hopes.  Sometimes, Romanticism was a great boon to society (such as in art), and other times, it was horribly damaging (such as to families).  Romanticism brought out the best and the worst in all areas that it touched.

Andrew DeWitt wrote in his blog "3 Stages of Faith and the Victorian Era, Modernism, and Today," "People had a grandiose view of the future and were optimistic that society would continue to progress.  Romanticism especially espoused this idea since it focused on the sublime, and imagination.  Imagination of a better world, purer, and more connected with nature."  Reaction against Enlightenment values of rationality and progress and mass consumer culture, evident in the arts from a rejection of realism and an emphasis on formalism and radicalism."

Almost directly on Romanticism's heels, Modernism showed up on the scene. 

Modernism is a "Reaction against Enlightenment values of rationality and progress and mass consumer culture, evident in the arts from a rejection of realism and an emphasis on formalism and radicalism."

Modernism - to me anyway - is full of wierd art, self-centeredness,  strange thoughts,  & wild-haired philosophers.  This is the era of books like 1984, Catch 22, and James Joyce's unreadable books. 

On the scale of "I like it" to "I don't like it" - I go with pieces-parts of everything - just the stuff I like.  I find I don't dislike anything, totally - nor do I like much of anything totally.  (Maybe I'm a mutt - a little bit of everything!)

All in all, I guess I am just not a trend setter - I'm more of the type of person who looks, watches, hesitates, considers, dreams, talks about, and FINALLY will dip my toes into the newest trend - - just before it passes beyond "current"!  Then, of course, by the time I am fully into it, I am already "behind the times"! 

What to do!!  What is next?!  How do I know before it's too late?!