84 Days of Ben Franklin
What do you give a scientist-statesman-patriot-publisher for his 204th birthday? The Saturday Evening Post decided that what he'd want most is his own Twitter account.
What Would Ben Franklin Say?
Signs of Economic Recovery
Dr. Franklin believed in looking squarely and unflinchingly at problems, and never indulging in the luxury of comforting lies. He continually warned his almanac readers not deceive themselves, to be skeptical, and never abandon themselves to wishful thinking. ("He that lives upon hope will die fasting.")
The Origins of Thanksgiving
Our Dr. Franklin, that man of rare good sense and goodwill, describes how the idea of Thanksgiving reflected a shift in American thinking.
Should We Lose Daylight-Saving Time?
It’s an ongoing debate. What are the benefits of daylight-saving time? And who gets them? While some benefit from the time change, others are inconvenienced by moving an hour of sunlight from the morning to the afternoon. Yet many Americans appreciate how the longer evenings in summer enable them to accomplish more during the day. Where do you stand?
Ben Franklin and the Slow Movement
The Huffington Post (no relation to The Saturday Evening Post) recently started a book club and chose In Praise of Slowness by Carl Honoré for its first title. The book encourages readers to choose the pace of our lives and balance the speed in so many of their activities with slower, more thoughtful tempos. What would Ben Franklin say?
Influenza: Epidemic Control Gone Too Far?
Several months ago, Mexico shut down completely. Public health officials, concerned about the rapid spread of a new strain of Influenza A virus, closed schools, sports venues, and stopped virtually all public gatherings. What would Ben Franklin say about such a draconian method of epidemic control?
Haute Cuisine
The novel and now movie—Julie and Julia—about French cooking has revived interest in this subject and returned Julia Child’s 1961 cookbook, Mastering the Art of French Cooking, to the New York Times bestseller list. Now another generation of Americans will be tempted to try their hand at Child’s Beef Bourguignon. (Preparation time: 2 hours; Level of difficulty: Difficult.)
Catching Colds
Many people believe that dampness makes us susceptible to colds and influenza, especially when we get our feet wet. How many times have our mothers made us change damp clothes, lest we catch a cold? What would Ben Franklin say about the notion that colds come from exposure to wetness? Here’s what Franklin did say:
Living Inside Your Means
Mortgage rates have dropped again, and analysts are hoping to see a rise in home buying. However, the drop from 5.08 percent to 5.07 percent may not be sizeable enough to prompt much activity. At least not in this economy.
Influenza Pandemic
Many people fear the exceedingly rare complications of vaccines, preferring instead to risk the disease itself. What would Ben Franklin say about individuals who decline inoculation?
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