ON CRISPR: The Story of Jennifer Doudna with Walter Isaacson

Season 2: ON BENJAMIN FRANKLIN Episode 1: Ingenuity

Host: Evan Ratliff
Guest: Walter Isaacson
Release Date: August 29, 2024

Episode Overview

This episode explores the multifaceted genius of Benjamin Franklin and how his relentless ingenuity in science, business, and politics shaped both his life and the national character of the United States. Through an in-depth interview, renowned biographer Walter Isaacson discusses Franklin’s early curiosity, lifelong dedication to experimentation and learning, and his enduring legacy. The episode illustrates how Franklin’s scientific mindset influenced not only his inventions but also his political diplomacy, constitutional thinking, and approach to imperfection.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why Benjamin Franklin? The Genesis of Isaacson’s Biography

• After writing about Kissinger and realpolitik, Isaacson sought to find the roots of America's balance between idealism and realism. He found Franklin epitomized both qualities.
  • Quote: "He is both the ultimate realist and the ultimate idealist." (05:49, Isaacson)
• Franklin’s application of scientific thinking to governance, diplomacy, and business drove Isaacson’s interest.

2. Early Life: The Making of a Polymath

• Franklin’s background as the 10th son of a Puritan immigrant and his early designation as a "tithe to the Lord" led to his father’s initial plan to send him to Harvard, later reconsidered due to Franklin’s irreverence and independent streak.
• His resourcefulness in youth manifested as a leader among peers, even devising swimming innovations.
  • Quote: "He was always a spunky lad... invented ways to do swimming, including paddles and flippers." (08:29, Isaacson)
• Lack of formal education sharpened his drive for autodidactic learning.

3. Curiosity as a Defining Trait

• Franklin’s insatiable curiosity led him to pursue answers independently, spanning history, science, meteorology, and even eclipses.
  • Quote: "It's that insatiable curiosity... almost created when he was denied the right to go to college." (09:17, Isaacson)

4. The Enlightenment and Practical Science

• Franklin’s approach contrasted with theoretical scientists like Newton; he valued practical application over pure theory.
  • Example: Experiments on heat absorption of different cloth colors and real-world inventions like the Franklin stove and bifocals.
  • Quote: "As a practical person, you don't need to know the theory of gravity to know that if you let go of a piece of crockery it'll fall to the floor and break." (10:26, Isaacson)

5. Lightning Rod and International Fame

• Franklin’s most famous scientific achievement was the lightning rod, which saved countless lives and conferred celebrity status in France and beyond.
  • He methodically hypothesized, tested, and documented the similarity between electricity and lightning, inspiring others to carry out his experiment in France first.
  • Quote: "Let the experiment be made." (20:44, Isaacson, on Franklin’s scientific rigor)
• His fame as a scientist paved the way for his success as a diplomat.

6. Altruism Over Profit

• Despite inventing lucrative devices (e.g., the lightning rod, stove), Franklin deliberately avoided patenting them, believing inventions should serve civic good.
  • Quote: "We should be happy to put things back in the river of history." (23:12, Isaacson)

7. The Turkey vs. the Eagle

• Franklin jested about preferring the turkey over the bald eagle as America’s symbol, viewing the turkey as a "more practical" and less pretentious animal—a reflection of his humility and sense of humor.
  • Quote: "...the turkey reminds us, you know, we're a little bit silly, we shouldn't take ourselves too seriously." (24:39, Isaacson)

8. Scientific Mindset Shapes Political Philosophy

• Franklin’s lifelong experimentation paralleled his evolving political thought. His willingness to accept mistakes and revise beliefs was central to both his science and statesmanship.

  • Quote: "That scientific method... is the essence of democracy." (34:25, Isaacson)

• He advocated for a Constitution open to revision, voicing skepticism about achieving perfection.

  • Quote: "A half truth is a whole lie." (25:37, Isaacson quoting Franklin)

• At the Constitutional Convention, he argued for embracing imperfection and compromise:

  • Quote: "I confess that I do not entirely approve this Constitution at present. But... the older I get, the more I realize that I’m wrong at times." (35:41, paraphrased by Isaacson)

9. Example of Iterative Inquiry: The Gulf Stream

• Even while returning from diplomatic missions, Franklin investigated ocean currents, measuring water temperature to chart the Gulf Stream—his chart closely matches modern NASA data.

  • Quote: "If you see the chart he makes, it’s remarkably similar to the one that’s now on the NASA website." (37:04, Isaacson)

• Franklin’s legacy included setting up structures (such as revolving loan funds) to aid future generations of inventors and entrepreneurs.

10. A Lasting Legacy and Self-Reflection

• Franklin kept a “ledger of errors” in which he cataloged his mistakes and how he tried to rectify them—a humble approach that shaped both his personal and public life.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Scientific Approach:
  • “What is the use of a newborn baby?” (32:31, Isaacson channeling Franklin on the open-ended nature of innovation)
• On Adapting Beliefs:
  • “One of the things we don’t do very well is let people change their minds... Franklin often evolved. That’s the essence of the scientific method, but it’s also the essence of democracy.” (34:09–34:25, Isaacson)
• On Civic Generosity:
  • “We gain so much from previous inventions that we should be happy to put things back in the river of history.” (23:13, Isaacson)
• On Humility and Symbols:
  • “We shouldn't get too grand, we should poke fun at our pretensions.” (24:39, Isaacson on Franklin’s preference for the turkey)

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Timestamp | Segment | |-----------|---------| | 04:13 | Start of main interview (Evan Ratliff & Walter Isaacson) | | 05:40 | Why Franklin? Isaacson’s motivation | | 08:13 | Franklin’s Family Background & Early Curiosity | | 09:44 | Franklin as an Autodidact | | 11:19 | Scientific Methods and Practical Inventions | | 18:06 | The Lightning Rod Experiment & International Fame | | 23:07 | On Patents and Civic Duty | | 24:16 | The Turkey vs. Eagle Debate | | 30:25 | Science as a Side Pursuit, then a Focus | | 34:09 | Scientific Method Reflected in Politics | | 35:33 | Imperfection in the Constitution | | 36:13 | Discovery of the Gulf Stream | | 38:38 | Franklin’s Legacy, “Ledger of Errors” | | 39:55 | Teaser for next episode: Franklin the printer, businessman, and rebel |

Episode Tone & Style

The discussion is lively, accessible, and infused with humor and admiration for Franklin. Isaacson and Ratliff highlight Franklin’s wit, humility, and relentless curiosity. The episode is both a historical exploration and a meditation on the value of openness, humility, and adaptability—a blend of storytelling and practical reflection highly relevant to modern listeners.

For Next Episode

The next installment will delve into Franklin’s early years as a printer, business innovator, and rebel, with a closer look at his complicated personal life and the continued theme of self-examination and growth.