Introducing Season 2: ON Benjamin Franklin with Walter Isaacson

Summary

Podcast Summary: ON CRISPR – Introducing Season 2: ON Benjamin Franklin with Walter Isaacson

Podcast: ON CRISPR: The Story of Jennifer Doudna with Walter Isaacson
Episode: Introducing Season 2: ON Benjamin Franklin
Date: August 22, 2024
Host: Evan Ratliff
Guest: Walter Isaacson

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Overview

This special preview episode pivots from the scientific breakthroughs of Jennifer Doudna (Season 1, CRISPR) to the multifaceted genius of Benjamin Franklin, the subject of Season 2. Journalist Evan Ratliff and acclaimed biographer Walter Isaacson set the stage for a deep exploration of Franklin’s life, myth, inventions, political influence, and enduring relevance. The conversation highlights Franklin’s self-made mythos, historical achievements, and the complexities often glossed over in standard biographies.

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Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. The American Spirit of Franklin (00:01–00:09)

• Opening with a Quote:
  Walter Isaacson recites:
  "Any trampling over my rights makes my blood boil exceedingly. That's how you know I'm an American."
  — Benjamin Franklin (00:01)

• Contextual Framing:
  Evan Ratliff notes these are Franklin’s words, tying individual rights to an enduring American ethos.

2. Public Perception vs. Historical Reality (00:09–00:25)

• Breaking the Stereotypes:
  Isaacson and Ratliff challenge the "doddering dude flying a kite" image, emphasizing that Franklin’s electricity experiments were among the era’s most significant discoveries.

• Franklin’s Self-Generated Myth:
  "One of Franklin's greatest inventions is the character of Ben Franklin. I mean, he was never early to bed and early to rise type person."
  — Walter Isaacson (00:25)

3. Franklin's Many Facets (00:35–01:13)

• Season Theme Introduction:
  Ratliff positions Franklin as a figure "desperate to be dusted off from history," poised for re-appraisal.

• Business Acumen & Scientific Innovation:
  Isaacson highlights Franklin’s media empire and science:

  • "His media empire makes him the most successful self made business person in America." (00:52)
  • Franklin mapping the Gulf Stream almost identically to current NASA depictions.

• Franklin’s Hedonistic Side:
  "He loves leading the good life, even playing chess while he's in the bathtub with one of his mistresses."
  — Walter Isaacson (01:07)

4. Inventor, Writer, Celebrity, and Symbol (01:13–01:45)

• Franklin’s Roles:

  • As creator of Poor Richard and newspapers (01:16–01:18).
  • As a scientist who questioned old dogmas ("They would consecrate the bells of churches... but the lightning kept striking church steeples, and Franklin said, maybe we should try some other theory of it." — Isaacson, 01:23).

• International Celebrity:

  • "Crowds turn out and women start wearing their hair in what was called the coiffure à la Franklin."
    — Walter Isaacson (01:38)

5. Political Influence and the Founding Documents (01:45–01:59)

• Founding Father Status:
  Franklin’s unique involvement in all four foundational documents of the U.S.

• Morally Complex Life:
  Ratliff and Isaacson introduce less comfortable elements—Franklin’s illegitimate son, shifting political allegiances.

6. Franklin’s Legacy and Character (02:07–02:22)

• A Life of Influence:
  Living to 84, Franklin became "the sage of Philadelphia" — admired for bringing people together and embodying democratic spirit.

7. The Heart of Democracy & Voluntary Leadership (02:22–02:38)

• A Memorable Reflection:
  "The only other person who could have possibly been the first president would have been Benjamin Franklin. But he's too old and wants Washington to do it voluntarily. Forsaking power is at the heart of what a democracy is."
  — Walter Isaacson (02:22)

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Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

• Self-invention:
  "One of Franklin's greatest inventions is the character of Ben Franklin."
  — Walter Isaacson (00:25)

• Scientific Daring:
  "Maybe we should try some other theory of [lightning]."
  — Walter Isaacson (01:23)

• Cultural Influence:
  "Women start wearing their hair in what was called the coiffure à la Franklin."
  — Walter Isaacson (01:38)

• Leadership by Example:
  "Forsaking power is at the heart of what a democracy is."
  — Walter Isaacson (02:22)

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Structure and Tone

• The conversation is playful, fast-paced, and rich in anecdote, blending Isaacson's storytelling skill with Ratliff's probing questions.
• Both speakers push listeners to reconsider Franklin not just as a Founding Father, but as a multi-layered, modern figure whose choices, contradictions, and appetite for self-promotion remain relevant.

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Recommended Listening Points

• 00:01 — Opening Franklin quote (American rights)
• 00:25 — The strategic self-invention of Franklin
• 00:52 — Franklin as a business magnate and scientist
• 01:16 — Franklin's creative output as writer, inventor, scientist
• 01:38 — Franklin’s international celebrity status
• 01:48 — Franklin’s pivotal political contributions
• 02:07 — Reflection on Franklin’s latter years and legacy
• 02:22 — Discussion of democratic leadership

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Final Note

This episode is an enticing primer for the upcoming season, promising a fresh, multidimensional portrait of Benjamin Franklin. With Isaacson’s insight and Ratliff’s journalistic curiosity, listeners are set to uncover both neglected corners and enduring wisdom from Franklin’s long, electric life.

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Episode promo transitions and advertisements begin after 02:38 and are not covered in this summary.

Transcript

[Walter Isaacson]

Any trampling over my rights makes my blood boil exceedingly. That's how you know I'm an American.

[Evan Ratliff]

Those are the words of Benjamin Franklin.

[Walter Isaacson]

We think of him as a doddering dude flying a kite in the rain. But those electricity experiments are the most important scientific discoveries of the time.

[Evan Ratliff]

But maybe the reason we have misunderstood this most fascinating founding father for so long was Franklin himself.

[Walter Isaacson]

One of Franklin's greatest inventions is the character of Ben Franklin. I mean, he was never early to bed and early to rise type person.

[Evan Ratliff]

Hi, I'm Evan Ratliff. Last season, in my conversations with Epic biographer Walter Isaacson, we tackled the ingenuity of Elon Musk. This time, we're diving into the story of Benjamin Franklin, another genius with even more facets and possibly more relevance, who's desperate to be dusted off from history.

[Walter Isaacson]

His media empire makes him the most successful self made business person in America. And if you see the chart he makes of the Gulf Stream, it's remarkably similar to the one that's now on the NASA website. He loves leading the good life, even playing chess while he's in the bathtub with one of his mistresses.

[Evan Ratliff]

Benjamin Franklin is so many things. A writer and printer.

[Walter Isaacson]

He created poor Richard.

[Evan Ratliff]

He created newspapers, a scientist, and inventories whose work is still in use today.

[Walter Isaacson]

They would consecrate the bells of churches to ward off the lightning, but the lightning kept striking church steeples, and Franklin said, maybe we should try some other theory of it.

[Evan Ratliff]

An unlikely celebrity at home and abroad.

[Walter Isaacson]

Crowds turn out and women start wearing their hair in what was called the coiffure a la Franklin.

[Evan Ratliff]

But perhaps more importantly, a key architect of a new nation.

[Walter Isaacson]

Franklin was the only one of the founders who was involved in all four of the great founding documents of America.

[Evan Ratliff]

But there are parts of his story that history books like to skip over.

[Walter Isaacson]

Everybody's wondering, what side is he going to be on? And before he can announce it, he has to have a meeting with his illegitimate son.

[Evan Ratliff]

But by the end of his very long life, he lives to be 84 years old. He had earned near universal love as the sage of Philadelphia, and maybe more importantly, a man uniquely gifted at bringing people together. And without rival in his devotion to democracy.

[Walter Isaacson]

The only other person who could have possibly been the first president would have been Benjamin Franklin. But he's too old and wants Washington to do it voluntarily. Forsaking power is at the heart of what a democracy is.

[Evan Ratliff]

Listen to On Benjamin Franklin with Walter Isaacson on America's number one podcast network, iHeart. Open your free iHeart app and search on Benjamin Franklin and start listening.

[Narrator (Graves County promo)]

The murder of an 18 year old girl in Graves County, Kentucky went unsolved for years until a local housewife, a journalist and a handful of girls came forward with a story.

[Local Resident (Graves County promo)]

America, y' all better wake the hell up. Bad things happens to good people in small towns.

[Narrator (Graves County promo)]

Listen to Graves county on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts and to binge the entire season ad free. Subscribe to Lava for Good plus on Apple Podcasts.

[Alena Sada]

Sacred Scandal is back, the hit true crime podcast that uncovers hidden truths and shattered faith. For 19 years, Alena Sada was a nun for the Legion of Christ. This season she's telling her story.

[Alena Sada (younger)]

When I first joined the Legion of Christ, I felt chosen. I was 19 years old when Marcia Almasel, the leader of the Legionaries, looked me in the eye and told me I had a calling.

[Alena Sada]

Surviving meant hiding. Escaping. Took courage. Risking everything to tell her truth. Listen to Sacred the Many Secrets of Martial Maciel on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you get your podcasts.

[Narrator (Chinatown Sting promo)]

In early 1988, federal agents raced to track down the gang they suspect of importing millions of dollars worth of heroin into New York from Asia.

[Walter Isaacson]

Had 30 agents ready to go with shotguns and rifles and you name it.

[Narrator (Graves County promo)]

Five, six white people pushed me in the car.

[Evan Ratliff]

I'm going, what?

[Local Resident (Graves County promo)]

Basically your stay at home moms were picking up these large amounts of heroin. All you gotta do is receive the package. Don't have to open it, just accept it. She was very upset, crying. Once I saw the gun, I tried to take his hand and I saw the flash of light.

[Narrator (Chinatown Sting promo)]

Listen to the Chinatown sting on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts, or anywhere you get your podcasts.

[Evan Ratliff]

This is an iHeart podcast.