One of the other ways I entertain myself in this new future world is by reading what others have said about me, basing their opinions on my own autobiography, as well as historical research and their own opinions, perspectives, and experiences.
Walter Isaacson, who published a very informative edition, "Benjamin Franklin, An American Life", is one such author whom I have been very impressed by. His tome, written in 2003, not only weaves anecdotes and historical accounts of my life in a very engaging style, it also ventures to make a few predictions of how I might embrace this technology-driven culture of 2013.
I must admit, Isaacson's intuition about my attraction to progress, my desire for collaborating with other like-minded individuals, and my love of being present right in the midst of whatever social, political, or cultural developments are happening, is a very astute, accurate observation.
And thus, when he writes that if I were to have been born in this time, I might very well have been right at home in this tribe known as "Yuppies," working and congregating in some "office park," he has very neatly hit the nail on the head. From all that I have seen and heard in my brief time here, that sort of an environment would appear to be one that I could really enjoy, given my particular interests in business and science, and my inclination for forging alliances and associations of mutual benefit.
It could be diverting to conjecture where that "office park" might be physically located -- in one of the many suburban developments now dotting the outskirts of the metropolitan Philadelphia area, or perhaps in the Princeton, New Jersey environs, or better yet, in the technological centers in and around Boston.
But an even more intriguing prospect is the concept of having no location at all. As Walter Isaacson himself seems to be suggesting, through his latest publishing venture that will create a multi-part history of the digital age through a revolutionary collaborative method called "crowdsourcing." Isaacson proposes opening up the creative process by having people offer input on his drafts through the internet -- thus not only shortening the publication time, but also making the whole undertaking a much more democratic one!
Now, that is something that I definitely would have invented. I can easily picture how helpful and innovative that idea would have been for my own publishing business.
Your humble servant,
B.Franklin
Walter Isaacson, who published a very informative edition, "Benjamin Franklin, An American Life", is one such author whom I have been very impressed by. His tome, written in 2003, not only weaves anecdotes and historical accounts of my life in a very engaging style, it also ventures to make a few predictions of how I might embrace this technology-driven culture of 2013.
I must admit, Isaacson's intuition about my attraction to progress, my desire for collaborating with other like-minded individuals, and my love of being present right in the midst of whatever social, political, or cultural developments are happening, is a very astute, accurate observation.
And thus, when he writes that if I were to have been born in this time, I might very well have been right at home in this tribe known as "Yuppies," working and congregating in some "office park," he has very neatly hit the nail on the head. From all that I have seen and heard in my brief time here, that sort of an environment would appear to be one that I could really enjoy, given my particular interests in business and science, and my inclination for forging alliances and associations of mutual benefit.
It could be diverting to conjecture where that "office park" might be physically located -- in one of the many suburban developments now dotting the outskirts of the metropolitan Philadelphia area, or perhaps in the Princeton, New Jersey environs, or better yet, in the technological centers in and around Boston.
But an even more intriguing prospect is the concept of having no location at all. As Walter Isaacson himself seems to be suggesting, through his latest publishing venture that will create a multi-part history of the digital age through a revolutionary collaborative method called "crowdsourcing." Isaacson proposes opening up the creative process by having people offer input on his drafts through the internet -- thus not only shortening the publication time, but also making the whole undertaking a much more democratic one!
Now, that is something that I definitely would have invented. I can easily picture how helpful and innovative that idea would have been for my own publishing business.
Your humble servant,
B.Franklin
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