I think that is the point even if it's overdone. Many people do think the renaissance and enlightenment were smooth upward transitions when in reality they were periods of profound political and social turmoil.

While I do think the enlightenment was mostly a step forward, it wasn't all light any more than the dark ages were all dark.

This is something we should keep in mind as we enter the real information age whose transformations and upheavals we have barely started to feel. We haven't seen anything yet.