but I think your analysis is slightly flawed... first off the renaissance was not solely due to the invention of the printing press, but was due in large part to the increasing wealth due to the flowering of maritime trade.

And as to your second point, Machiavelli wrote 'The Prince' primarily as a resume- a way for him to advertise his expertice and be hired as an adviser to the 'princes' of the numerous city states in the region... the same has been speculated abut Sun Tzu and 'the art of war'

and as for your third point, the 'collapse of the wavefunction' and Everett's 'many worlds' interpretation of quantum mechanics seem to be equally valid, but as of now there is no empirical way of determining which is, in fact, true...

these are not meant as criticisms, just my opinions... i found your post very insiteful, and it raised man valid questions for discussion... keep it up...