My first book, Ligntning Strikes the Colonies is published and listed on Amazon.com and Barnesandnoble.com - soon to be in bookstores everywhere. Isn't that just too cool for words.
It’s a historical fiction with a sci-fi twist; genre is ‘pre-steam punk’ alternate history. A hip young LA lady get hit by lightning and falls back into time to the exact moment the great Benjamin Franklin first manipulated lightning in 1752, 24 years before the revolution. Told with historically accurate details, it is an exciting odyssey through colonial America with the most famous patriots before they were our heroes. But as the future meets the past, does history change?
Tuesday, November 10, 2009
Friday, October 23, 2009
Who was the first American blogger and twiterer?
In extensive research for my new historical time travel novel, Lightning Strikes the Colonies, (can be ordered at www.clfagan.com) it was interesting to learn about a man that was an incredible humanitarian, scientist, and journalist and was the first American to network world wide.
In an antiquated world with no technology, Benjamin Franklin stood alone as the first and foremost blogger and social networker.
Franklin’s editorials were printed weekly in almost every newspaper in the American colonies, much like the blogs people post today. And each day of the week for over twenty years, he penned pithy sayings in Poor Richard’s Almanac—sayings that at under a hundred and forty characters long could be easily be considered the same as tweets today. He also corresponded with over six hundred people worldwide by snail-mail on a yearly basis, more names than most people have in their entire email address book.
Benjamin Franklin also insisted on traveling with his “portable printing press,” that is if you can call a one hundred pound machine portable, because it allowed him to print articles and pamphlets about current events constantly. And in a time when people of the American colonies were so isolated that they often didn’t hear news from Europe until as much as six months after an event occurred, Ben got the news out in less than half that time, once he became Postmaster of the Colonies. With Ben’s wide network of contacts, he received newsworthy information all the time, and reported unbiased articles to inform the entire populace of what was going on.
In today’s world in which nearly everyone distrusts politicians and government, we can learn valuable lessons from the writings of this great humanitarian, scientist and journalist. This worldly entrepreneur thought in terms of global communication and created a worldwide web of social networking long before the Internet.
In an antiquated world with no technology, Benjamin Franklin stood alone as the first and foremost blogger and social networker.
Franklin’s editorials were printed weekly in almost every newspaper in the American colonies, much like the blogs people post today. And each day of the week for over twenty years, he penned pithy sayings in Poor Richard’s Almanac—sayings that at under a hundred and forty characters long could be easily be considered the same as tweets today. He also corresponded with over six hundred people worldwide by snail-mail on a yearly basis, more names than most people have in their entire email address book.
Benjamin Franklin also insisted on traveling with his “portable printing press,” that is if you can call a one hundred pound machine portable, because it allowed him to print articles and pamphlets about current events constantly. And in a time when people of the American colonies were so isolated that they often didn’t hear news from Europe until as much as six months after an event occurred, Ben got the news out in less than half that time, once he became Postmaster of the Colonies. With Ben’s wide network of contacts, he received newsworthy information all the time, and reported unbiased articles to inform the entire populace of what was going on.
In today’s world in which nearly everyone distrusts politicians and government, we can learn valuable lessons from the writings of this great humanitarian, scientist and journalist. This worldly entrepreneur thought in terms of global communication and created a worldwide web of social networking long before the Internet.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
A little frankness from Franklin
Who can we trust to tell us the way it is now?
With the death of one of the founding fathers of American television news, Walter Cronkite, I am reminded of another journalist who not only wrote the news but created it—one of the founding fathers of America, inventor, political activist and philosopher—Benjamin Franklin.
Walter Cronkite was the man who told us the way it was and showed us the world during two tumultuously radical decades in America. Like Cronkite, Benjamin Franklin was a journalist in the most radical time of our history; in fact you could say it was revolutionary!
When only twenty-five newspapers existed in the all thirteen colonies, he helped finance more than a third and owned the most successful. But unlike today, when all major news, no matter what media, is controlled by seven global corporations, Franklin really championed for an honest non-partisan voice. He articulately stated in an article entitled, An Apology for Printers: “Both sides ought equally to have the advantage of being heard by the public, and that when Truth and Error have fair play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter. Hence printers should serve all without regard on which side they are of the question or dispute.”
In a recent on-line poll, when asked who is now America’s most trusted newscaster, an overwhelming percent voted for television host Jon Stewart. And no wonder—in a world where people are so skeptical; we trust the ironic wit of Jon Stewart and the tongue-in-cheek satire of Stephen Colbert.
Like Stewart, Franklin applied wit and sarcasm to show the underlying truth. And like Colbert, Franklin used different personas to express his views and encouraged the public to examine and question.
In an essay written in 1751 under the persona ‘Americus,’ he sent a satirical message to Britain regarding sending convicts to populate the colonies. He suggested we export rattlesnakes in trade. “Rattle-snakes seem the most suitable returns for the human serpents sent to us by our mother country. However, she will have the advantage of us, for the rattle-snake gives warning before he attempts his mischief; which the convict does not.”
Franklin’s ironic hoax in 1773, An Edict of the King of Prussia, made a mockery of the British tax acts. The proclamation used the same false arguments Britain claimed on the American colonies, “Whereas it is well known to the world, that the first German settlements made in the Island of Britain were by colonies of the people subjects to our renowned ancestors, and they have never been emancipated." It demanded a tax on paper goods, like the Stamp Act and required manufacturing of iron works be halted, as in the Iron Act. There was even a statement that said convicts from Prussia would be sent to England. It caused a horrendous uproar in Parliament—the Prime Minster was ready to march on Munich, as Franklin smiled and said, “How comfortable the shoe, when it is on the other foot?”
As I researched this great polymath for a novel I wrote on pre-revolutionary America, I was captivated by his profound observations. It made me wonder what Franklin would think of America’s current situation.
How would he view our economic troubles? I believe he would be appalled at how in debt we are to other countries. So succinctly in an essay entitled The Nature and Necessity of Paper-Currency in 1729, he stated we should not have a deficit in trade to allow “extraordinary consumption for foreign commodities to profit other counties while our country grows poor.” And what would he say about the first African-American President? First of all yes, Franklin did owned slaves. But three months before he died, he introduced a petition to the first Congress calling for the abolition of slavery and an end to the slave trade. I would venture to say, he would commend us for appreciating a man’s abilities instead of his race or religion.
What would Franklin say about taxes? As he famously wrote, “In this world nothing can be certain, except death and taxes.” Are we overtaxed? Here’s what Franklin said in 1758, “Friends, the taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on us by our government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them. But we are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly.”
His opinion on education: “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”
And what would this resolute patriot say about our future? On June 28, 1787 as our Constitution was being ratified, Franklin addressed all the delegates: “I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, because I think a general Government necessary for us, if well administered; but it will only end in despotism as other forms have done before, if the people become corrupt.”
I’m not sure who we can trust to tell us the way it, but I know we can trust the words of Benjamin Franklin. Remember, “The US Constitution doesn’t guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it.”
With the death of one of the founding fathers of American television news, Walter Cronkite, I am reminded of another journalist who not only wrote the news but created it—one of the founding fathers of America, inventor, political activist and philosopher—Benjamin Franklin.
Walter Cronkite was the man who told us the way it was and showed us the world during two tumultuously radical decades in America. Like Cronkite, Benjamin Franklin was a journalist in the most radical time of our history; in fact you could say it was revolutionary!
When only twenty-five newspapers existed in the all thirteen colonies, he helped finance more than a third and owned the most successful. But unlike today, when all major news, no matter what media, is controlled by seven global corporations, Franklin really championed for an honest non-partisan voice. He articulately stated in an article entitled, An Apology for Printers: “Both sides ought equally to have the advantage of being heard by the public, and that when Truth and Error have fair play, the former is always an overmatch for the latter. Hence printers should serve all without regard on which side they are of the question or dispute.”
In a recent on-line poll, when asked who is now America’s most trusted newscaster, an overwhelming percent voted for television host Jon Stewart. And no wonder—in a world where people are so skeptical; we trust the ironic wit of Jon Stewart and the tongue-in-cheek satire of Stephen Colbert.
Like Stewart, Franklin applied wit and sarcasm to show the underlying truth. And like Colbert, Franklin used different personas to express his views and encouraged the public to examine and question.
In an essay written in 1751 under the persona ‘Americus,’ he sent a satirical message to Britain regarding sending convicts to populate the colonies. He suggested we export rattlesnakes in trade. “Rattle-snakes seem the most suitable returns for the human serpents sent to us by our mother country. However, she will have the advantage of us, for the rattle-snake gives warning before he attempts his mischief; which the convict does not.”
Franklin’s ironic hoax in 1773, An Edict of the King of Prussia, made a mockery of the British tax acts. The proclamation used the same false arguments Britain claimed on the American colonies, “Whereas it is well known to the world, that the first German settlements made in the Island of Britain were by colonies of the people subjects to our renowned ancestors, and they have never been emancipated." It demanded a tax on paper goods, like the Stamp Act and required manufacturing of iron works be halted, as in the Iron Act. There was even a statement that said convicts from Prussia would be sent to England. It caused a horrendous uproar in Parliament—the Prime Minster was ready to march on Munich, as Franklin smiled and said, “How comfortable the shoe, when it is on the other foot?”
As I researched this great polymath for a novel I wrote on pre-revolutionary America, I was captivated by his profound observations. It made me wonder what Franklin would think of America’s current situation.
How would he view our economic troubles? I believe he would be appalled at how in debt we are to other countries. So succinctly in an essay entitled The Nature and Necessity of Paper-Currency in 1729, he stated we should not have a deficit in trade to allow “extraordinary consumption for foreign commodities to profit other counties while our country grows poor.” And what would he say about the first African-American President? First of all yes, Franklin did owned slaves. But three months before he died, he introduced a petition to the first Congress calling for the abolition of slavery and an end to the slave trade. I would venture to say, he would commend us for appreciating a man’s abilities instead of his race or religion.
What would Franklin say about taxes? As he famously wrote, “In this world nothing can be certain, except death and taxes.” Are we overtaxed? Here’s what Franklin said in 1758, “Friends, the taxes are indeed very heavy, and if those laid on us by our government were the only ones we had to pay, we might more easily discharge them. But we are taxed twice as much by our idleness, three times as much by our pride, and four times as much by our folly.”
His opinion on education: “An investment in knowledge always pays the best interest.”
And what would this resolute patriot say about our future? On June 28, 1787 as our Constitution was being ratified, Franklin addressed all the delegates: “I agree to this Constitution with all its faults, because I think a general Government necessary for us, if well administered; but it will only end in despotism as other forms have done before, if the people become corrupt.”
I’m not sure who we can trust to tell us the way it, but I know we can trust the words of Benjamin Franklin. Remember, “The US Constitution doesn’t guarantee happiness, only the pursuit of it.”
Thursday, August 6, 2009
Well, it’s been quite awhile since I have written anything on my blog site, but I have been busting my butt getting the edits done on my new novel, Lightning Strikes the Colonies. Finally it is in the publisher’s hands and without and further delays should be out in September.
Oh by the way, I was on an Internet radio program the other day on a show called Amazing Women, Brains, Beauty and Style. Check it out and give a listen to my interview. http://www.amazingwomenbbs.com/
Here's something to think about
What is the definition of recession verses depression: Recession is a noun defined as - An extended decline in general business activity, typically two consecutive quarters of falling real gross national product. However, depression is a noun defined as - A period of drastic decline in a national or international economy, characterized by decreasing business activity, falling prices, and unemployment. Which do you think is a better description of what it feels like today?
Shame on me, Shame on you rants
Everyone in California is complaining about what the Governor is doing and why we have to make such deep cuts to our budget. Hello, haven’t you heard, we’ve lost over $60 billion in revenue. Stop bitching and find a solution. Where would you cut spending or increase revenues to balance this budget?
Here’s one of my ideas on how to get more revenue. How about getting the wealthiest stock brokers around the country to donate a couple billion to our colleges? Maybe, with better education we will learn not to do credit default swaps again. Yea, like that’s ever going to happen!
A little frankness from Franklin is in order:
“So what signifies wishing and hoping for better time? We may make these time better if we better ourselves.”
And on the Science Front
Microsoft founder Bill Gates filed patents to combat Gulf Coast hurricanes with a fleet of vessels that would pump warm ocean surface water down into the depths to offset the thermal power that drives such storms. Now that what I call putting your money where your mouth is. Way to go Bill!
Oh by the way, I was on an Internet radio program the other day on a show called Amazing Women, Brains, Beauty and Style. Check it out and give a listen to my interview. http://www.amazingwomenbbs.com/
Here's something to think about
What is the definition of recession verses depression: Recession is a noun defined as - An extended decline in general business activity, typically two consecutive quarters of falling real gross national product. However, depression is a noun defined as - A period of drastic decline in a national or international economy, characterized by decreasing business activity, falling prices, and unemployment. Which do you think is a better description of what it feels like today?
Shame on me, Shame on you rants
Everyone in California is complaining about what the Governor is doing and why we have to make such deep cuts to our budget. Hello, haven’t you heard, we’ve lost over $60 billion in revenue. Stop bitching and find a solution. Where would you cut spending or increase revenues to balance this budget?
Here’s one of my ideas on how to get more revenue. How about getting the wealthiest stock brokers around the country to donate a couple billion to our colleges? Maybe, with better education we will learn not to do credit default swaps again. Yea, like that’s ever going to happen!
A little frankness from Franklin is in order:
“So what signifies wishing and hoping for better time? We may make these time better if we better ourselves.”
And on the Science Front
Microsoft founder Bill Gates filed patents to combat Gulf Coast hurricanes with a fleet of vessels that would pump warm ocean surface water down into the depths to offset the thermal power that drives such storms. Now that what I call putting your money where your mouth is. Way to go Bill!
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
The new year
I've been remiss in sending out anything out in the blogosphere of late. I have been busy with the holidays and such. All I can say, is thank God 2008 is over. The only thing good about it was we elected a new President. Boy, does he have his job cut out for him. This country is in a mess with financial institutes falling by the wayside, jobs being lost daily, the housing market in turmoil, properties dropping almost 50% in the last year, manufacturing in a down turn as a result, and the rest of the world not fairing any better.
A Little Science
On the Science front, there have been some amazing innovations in 2008 and some of the best are:
Until now astronomer used the wobble algorithm to detect exoplanets. Astronomers would figured out where exoplanets are and what they weigh by noticing how each planet's gravity pulls at its own star, making the star wobble. But images from Hubble in 2008 of Fomalhaut, the 18th brightest star in the sky about 25 light years from earth, shows a planet circling this star. About the same time, an observatory in Hawaii was able to confirm the discovery of a three planets system around a star 130 light years outside our solar system. While hundreds of planets are known to exist around stars other than our sun, none have ever been visible until now. A change in the searching method, rather than new technology, made the breakthroughs. Isn’t that too cool for words!
Another great scientific discovery was the use of living adult stem cells to help in a transplant done in Spain. The donor part was washed to rid it of all the active cells and the part was put in a tank of the patient’s own stem cells, alleviating the need for immune suppressant drugs and rejection of the donor's part. Now that’s something we need—a better way to replace body parts without rejection.
Also, scientists in China were able to deceiver 80% of the DNA sequencing of a woolly Mammoth and now want to clone it—Hey, Jurassic Park could be a reality sooner than we think.
Another discovery was new class of high temperature superconductor material invented by China. Using from iron instead of copper could eventually make storing energy produced by wind and sun more reliable for long electrical transmissions and could increase power grid capabilities. Now that’s something we need to explore here at home and now too.
Isn’t it interesting that more inventions are coming out of Asia and Europe than America? Hey guys what happened to American innovation?
Shame on me, Shame on you rants
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California in order to save 1.3 billion or a 42 billion deficit has ordered a 10% cut in state agency payroll and by executive order has decreed that state employees take two days off a month without pay. Now the employees are suing, stating it is unfair. Shame on you,—instead of two days off you can have complete layoffs. Isn’t better to have two days off a month instead of unemployment without benefits?
Frankness from Ben Franklin
Ben said—Why are people always meddling with the administration of government and bickering what’s wrong and what’s right. They spend so much thought on the state affairs they neglect the actual doing of the affairs! He equated it as…While some travelers keep gazing at the stars, they slip in a ditch, theonly result is a dirty arse.
A Little Science
On the Science front, there have been some amazing innovations in 2008 and some of the best are:
Until now astronomer used the wobble algorithm to detect exoplanets. Astronomers would figured out where exoplanets are and what they weigh by noticing how each planet's gravity pulls at its own star, making the star wobble. But images from Hubble in 2008 of Fomalhaut, the 18th brightest star in the sky about 25 light years from earth, shows a planet circling this star. About the same time, an observatory in Hawaii was able to confirm the discovery of a three planets system around a star 130 light years outside our solar system. While hundreds of planets are known to exist around stars other than our sun, none have ever been visible until now. A change in the searching method, rather than new technology, made the breakthroughs. Isn’t that too cool for words!
Another great scientific discovery was the use of living adult stem cells to help in a transplant done in Spain. The donor part was washed to rid it of all the active cells and the part was put in a tank of the patient’s own stem cells, alleviating the need for immune suppressant drugs and rejection of the donor's part. Now that’s something we need—a better way to replace body parts without rejection.
Also, scientists in China were able to deceiver 80% of the DNA sequencing of a woolly Mammoth and now want to clone it—Hey, Jurassic Park could be a reality sooner than we think.
Another discovery was new class of high temperature superconductor material invented by China. Using from iron instead of copper could eventually make storing energy produced by wind and sun more reliable for long electrical transmissions and could increase power grid capabilities. Now that’s something we need to explore here at home and now too.
Isn’t it interesting that more inventions are coming out of Asia and Europe than America? Hey guys what happened to American innovation?
Shame on me, Shame on you rants
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger of California in order to save 1.3 billion or a 42 billion deficit has ordered a 10% cut in state agency payroll and by executive order has decreed that state employees take two days off a month without pay. Now the employees are suing, stating it is unfair. Shame on you,—instead of two days off you can have complete layoffs. Isn’t better to have two days off a month instead of unemployment without benefits?
Frankness from Ben Franklin
Ben said—Why are people always meddling with the administration of government and bickering what’s wrong and what’s right. They spend so much thought on the state affairs they neglect the actual doing of the affairs! He equated it as…While some travelers keep gazing at the stars, they slip in a ditch, theonly result is a dirty arse.
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