A repository for notes and comments on Walter Isaacson’s Benjamin Franklin: an American Life. After reading about about 100 pages, here are some general observations and comments:

• Benjamin Franklin (BF) reminds me of a modern day independent businessman, someone who wants to be their own boss and earns a living from a small business. “Entrepreneur” would technically fit, but without the grander connotation (e.g., tech mogul). Instead, I’m thinking of something more modest. For example, I had a childhood friend whose father made a living selling sports caps, but then moved on to selling other items.
• The comparison seems relevant because BF behaved and thought similar ways to this type of entrepreneur. For example, BF formed a social club and joined civic groups like the Freemasons, and used this in part to help his business. To be fair, this wasn’t he only motive–he genuinely seemed to care about improving the community, learning, and socializing with others. An independent, and even anti-authority, mindset makes me think of this comparison. My impression is that entrepreneurial-types don’t want to be hemmed in by governmental or religious authorities–they want to be free to pursue and create prosperity and happiness for themselves.
• At the same time, BF valued and thought a lot about behaving in ways of bettering the lives of others and the community. Indeed, while he didn’t care for organized Christianity (or organized religion in general), particularly theology, he believed strongly in virtues and morals, particularly the ones that affected the lives of others. He was very much a civic-minded, entrepreneur who cared about morality.
• While I initially avoided using “entrepreneur,” in truth, BF was a media entrepreneur of his time. He started his own printing company, and then create a newspaper, almanac, and a magazine (which failed). He also became a postmaster of Philadelphia, which seemed to have considerable power with regard to distribution of these periodicals, and later post-master (with another person) of all the colonies.
• Interestingly, my view and understanding of this book would likely have been very different had I read it when it came out in 2003. Now, living in an age of social media gives a different perspective on BF and his work in media. For example, he wrote articles and letters, under various pseudonyms, which became popular for other publications. This ability helped him when he started his own publications. I can’t helped think of a blogger or a writer on substack, who parlays this into financial success. I also can’t help compare BF starting his own printshop and someone creating a social media platform and then using that platform for political influence and financial gain. Perhaps, this creates an unfavorable image of BF, but while he did profit from this and also wasn’t above using tabloid-style articles for profit, he did value open and free debate. And I as mentioned, he did value improving the community.