Tales of Technology: What would Benjamin Franklin think about the Internet?

The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette ^ | Sunday, January 18, 2004 | James H. Morris

[Willie Green]

In his best-selling book "Benjamin Franklin, An American Life," Walter Isaacson says Ben would be completely at home in the information age. Like many of us, he would be alternately amused, excited, appalled and outraged about how things are going.

[Willie Green]

Related thread: Benjamin Franklin: [honoring his 298th]

[ChadGore]

If Benjamin Franklin was operating his media empire (he owned a LOT of papers in all the colonies) in todays market, Microsoft would have bought him out a long time ago.

[blabs]

Ben Franklin On The Turkey As National Bird

"For my own part I wish the Bald Eagle had not been chosen the Representative of our Country. He is a Bird of bad moral Character. He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.

"With all this Injustice, he is never in good Case but like those among Men who live by Sharping & Robbing he is generally poor and often very lousy. Besides he is a rank Coward: The little King Bird not bigger than a Sparrow attacks him boldly and drives him out of the District. He is therefore by no means a proper Emblem for the brave and honest Cincinnati of America who have driven all the King birds from our Country....

"I am on this account not displeased that the Figure is not known as a Bald Eagle, but looks more like a Turkey. For the Truth the Turkey is in Comparison a much more respectable Bird, and withal a true original Native of America... He is besides, though a little vain & silly, a Bird of Courage, and would not hesitate to attack a Grenadier of the British Guards who should presume to invade his Farm Yard with a red Coat on."

[Burkeman1]

Ben Franklin lived and died during a time when just one man could literally know all of human accumulated knowledge within their lifetime is he so desired. He would be blown away by the internet and the shear amount of knowledge accumulated since then. But fundamental principles never change and he would be quite disturbed by the size and power of our federal government today and just about the total abandoning of the Constitution.

[Burkeman1]

He does not get his Living honestly. You may have seen him perched on some dead Tree near the River, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the Labour of the Fishing Hawk; and when that diligent Bird has at length taken a Fish, and is bearing it to his Nest for the Support of his Mate and young Ones, the Bald Eagle pursues him and takes it from him.

The Bald Eagle seems to act just like our Federal government.

[ChefKeith]

I'm thinking He would have pulled the plug on it.

I am glad that the turkey is not the National bird 'cause they taste much better that Bald Eagle does. (oops I guess I shouldn't have said that last part)

[Paul C. Jesup]

Are we talking about young 'wild oats' Benjamin Franklin?

Or old 'wise' Benjamin Franklin?

[Spruce]

No doubt, Ben would be a Freeper.

[Jaysun]

Like Jefferson, Franklin knew that inventions beget more of their kind. There's no question in my mind that Franklin knew that what was to come in America would be astounding and unimaginable. One of his most telling statements on the subject was delivered in 1788 by an 82 year old Franklin:

"I have long been impressed with....the conveniences of common living, and the invention and acquisition of new and useful utensils and instruments; so that I have sometimes wished it had been my destiny to be born two or three centuries hence. For invention and improvement are prolific and beget more of their kind. The present progress is rapid. Many of great importance, now unthought of, will before that period be produced; and then I might not only enjoy their advantages, but have my curiosity gratified in knowing what they are to be."

Franklin died two years later. His statement is striking to me and it almost makes me feel sad for the old gentleman. He knew that exciting things were to come, and although he longed to see some of them, he would inevitably die long before that was possible.

[glock rocks]

Turkey ain't barbeque, either.

[ChefKeith]

Turkey is deep fried!

[glock rocks]

Or smoked!

...though it's hard to keep lit.

[StriperSniper]

.

[quietolong]

He would have been downloading this

Jefferson and Liberty ~

http://audio.cdbaby.com/ramc/theitinerant-12.ram

It was common in the 18th & 19th centuries to add new words to popular tunes of the day. (In fact our national anthem takes its melody from a British drinking song, To Anacreon in Heaven.) This tune was originally known in Ireland as The Gobby-O. It got its latest title after a poem attributed to ornithologist-painter Alexander Wilson was added to the tune to turn it into Thomas Jefferson's 1800 presidential campaign song. We played an instrumental arrangement, but have included the words here.


The gloomy night before us flies, The reign of terror now is o'er;

Is gags, inquisitors, and spies, Its herds of harpies are no more!

Rejoice, Columbia's sons, rejoice! To tyrants never bend the knee,

But join with heart, and soul, and voice, For Jefferson and Liberty!

No lordling here, with gorging jaws shall wring from industry the food;

Nor fiery bigot's holy laws lay waste our fields and streets in blood!

Here strangers from a thousand shores compelled by tyranny to roam,

Shall find amidst abundant stores, a nobler and happier home.

Here Art shall lift her laurelled head, wealth, Industry, and Peace, divine;

And where dark, pathless forests spread, rich fields and lofty cities shine.

From Europe's wants and woes remote, a friendly waste of waves between,

Here plenty cheers the humblest cot, and smiles on every village green.

Here free as air, expanded space, to every soul and sect shall be --

That sacred privilege of our race -- The worship of the Deity.

Let foes to freedom dread the name; but should they touch the sacred tree,

Twice fifty thousands swords would flame for Jefferson and liberty.

From Georgia to Lake Champlain, from seas to Mississippi's shore,

Ye sons of freedom loud proclaim -- "The reign of terror is no more."

[CWOJackson]

From some of the histories I've read about Franklin he had a strong affection for young ladies.

I think he'd be getting carpal tunnel from cruising the net.