Summary
The podcast episode titled "A Key & A Kite: StarTalk Live! With Neil deGrasse Tyson & Benjamin Franklin" discusses the life and legacy of Benjamin Franklin, who was not only a founding father but also a famous scientist. Ellen Cohen, editor-in-chief of the Benjamin Franklin Papers, is a guest on the show and explains that Franklin was interested in science his entire life and noticed the smoke from a candle was traveling in a different direction when he had a fire going in the fireplace. Franklin was a successful businessman, printer, and created an almanac to make a living. He outcompeted his rivals by creating a character named Poor Richard and adding articles on science to the almanac.
Franklin was also a member of the Junto society, a club of like-minded individuals who worked together to better themselves and their community. He conducted his famous experiment with a kite and a key to understand electricity, studied the transit of Venus, and attempted to measure the distance between the sun and the earth. Throughout his life, Franklin adhered to a strict schedule and believed in the importance of time management to accomplish one's goals.
The podcast episode also discusses the history of electricity and the invention of the battery, lightning rod, and the controversy surrounding their use. Franklin argued against those who believed that relying on science and technology was going against God's will and conducted an experiment with oil on water to help scientists understand the thickness of molecules. The conversation then shifts to the challenges of communicating scientific truth to a gullible public, which was not much different in Franklin's time compared to today.
The context also discusses Franklin's scientific legacy and his reputation in Europe, where he was made a member of the Royal Society in England and the French Academy of Science. During the American Revolution, Franklin issued an order to American captains to leave Captain Cook's British ships alone as they were on a scientific mission, which the Royal Society recognized by awarding Franklin a gold medal. The context also discusses how Franklin was part of a commission investigating Anton Mesmer's animal magnetism, which was believed to be a new form of medical treatment.
The podcast episode concludes by discussing the discovery of the placebo effect, the importance of experimentation, and the pursuit of knowledge throughout one's life. Overall, the context highlights the significance of scientific inquiry and its potential to transform civilization.
