Lost and Found in Translation: The Rosetta Stone, the Behistun Inscription, and Why Grammar Still Matters
On September 27, 1822, Jean-François Champollion announced his breakthrough in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics using the Rosetta Stone. The stone itself, discovered in 1799 near Rosetta in Egypt, features the same decree written in three languages: Ancient Greek, Demotic, and Egyptian hieroglyphics. Ancient Greek was well-known at the time, while the other scripts were undeciphered.
By comparing the Greek text with the hieroglyphic and Demotic passages, Champollion realized that hieroglyphs recorded both the sounds and the meanings of words, which enabled him to finally unlock the secrets of Egypt’s lost language. This was profoundly significant, as it transformed Egyptology into a scholarly discipline and allowed access to millennia of Egyptian thought, literature, and record-keeping.
Champollion's table of hieroglyphic phonetic characters with their demotic and Greek equivalents, Lettre à M. Dacier, (1822).
The process of decipherment mirrors the achievement with the Behistun Inscription, a monumental Persian carving commissioned by Darius the Great in the 6th century BCE. This inscription, carved into a cliff face, included the same message in three cuneiform scripts: Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian.
In the nineteenth century, Henry Rawlinson played a central role in decoding the cuneiform script. By methodically comparing the three versions, especially since Old Persian had known linguistic relatives, Rawlinson succeeded in unlocking the cuneiform writing system, which had been impenetrable for centuries. This work provided scholars with the key to interpreting the myriad records, stories, and historical documents of Mesopotamian civilizations.
Deciphering both the Rosetta Stone and the Behistun Inscription illustrates a fundamental challenge in working with ancient texts: the lack of capitalization, punctuation, and clear word and sentence divisions. Texts were from a time when written language was fluid, context-dependent, and relied heavily on the reader’s intuition and knowledge of structure. Translators had to imagine the boundaries of words, phrases, and clauses, making every step in translation uncertain and labor-intensive. This ambiguity illustrates the importance of modern writing conventions, such as punctuation, capitalization, and grammatical structure, in ensuring clarity and understanding.
The gradual loss or minimization of these conventions in the digital age is striking. As modern communication increasingly happens through informal messages, social media, and digital platforms, proper grammar, punctuation, and structured expression are often neglected or deemed less important. Written language is fundamental to a culture’s identity and its capacity to preserve and transmit knowledge across generations.
The inscriptions on monuments like the Rosetta Stone and the Behistun Inscription demonstrate how writing can capture complex ideas, beliefs, and events, bridging the gap between abstract thought and concrete information. When a society values grammar and structure, it ensures clarity and precision in communication, essential for connecting ideas, sharing discoveries, and fostering intellectual progress.
The lost art of sentence diagramming.
The erosion of emphasis on these elements, as seen today in informal digital messaging and a declining focus on language instruction, undermines our ability to communicate effectively both in writing and speech. When written language is fragmented or ambiguous, the cultural transmission of knowledge and even our shared sense of humanity become vulnerable. Proper grammar and structure enable people to relate abstract concepts to tangible facts, ultimately facilitating rich dialogues that define who we are and how we connect with one another. It is why I focus so much on it when I teach writing, and have been inspired to write a series of books on sentence diagramming using classic literature (to be published in 2026).
Critics warn that this shift threatens the precision and nuance essential for effective communication and the preservation of knowledge. The history of the Rosetta Stone and the Behistun Inscription serves as a reminder that these elements are not trivial: they are keys to understanding the past and ensuring future generations can meaningfully interpret written records.
#history #ancientegypt #ancienthistory #rosettastone #behistuninscription #writing #language #grammar #communication #education #declinein education
On September 27, 1822, Jean-François Champollion announced his breakthrough in deciphering Egyptian hieroglyphics using the Rosetta Stone. The stone itself, discovered in 1799 near Rosetta in Egypt, features the same decree written in three languages: Ancient Greek, Demotic, and Egyptian hieroglyphics. Ancient Greek was well-known at the time, while the other scripts were undeciphered.
By comparing the Greek text with the hieroglyphic and Demotic passages, Champollion realized that hieroglyphs recorded both the sounds and the meanings of words, which enabled him to finally unlock the secrets of Egypt’s lost language. This was profoundly significant, as it transformed Egyptology into a scholarly discipline and allowed access to millennia of Egyptian thought, literature, and record-keeping.
Champollion's table of hieroglyphic phonetic characters with their demotic and Greek equivalents, Lettre à M. Dacier, (1822).
The process of decipherment mirrors the achievement with the Behistun Inscription, a monumental Persian carving commissioned by Darius the Great in the 6th century BCE. This inscription, carved into a cliff face, included the same message in three cuneiform scripts: Old Persian, Elamite, and Babylonian.
In the nineteenth century, Henry Rawlinson played a central role in decoding the cuneiform script. By methodically comparing the three versions, especially since Old Persian had known linguistic relatives, Rawlinson succeeded in unlocking the cuneiform writing system, which had been impenetrable for centuries. This work provided scholars with the key to interpreting the myriad records, stories, and historical documents of Mesopotamian civilizations.
Deciphering both the Rosetta Stone and the Behistun Inscription illustrates a fundamental challenge in working with ancient texts: the lack of capitalization, punctuation, and clear word and sentence divisions. Texts were from a time when written language was fluid, context-dependent, and relied heavily on the reader’s intuition and knowledge of structure. Translators had to imagine the boundaries of words, phrases, and clauses, making every step in translation uncertain and labor-intensive. This ambiguity illustrates the importance of modern writing conventions, such as punctuation, capitalization, and grammatical structure, in ensuring clarity and understanding.
The gradual loss or minimization of these conventions in the digital age is striking. As modern communication increasingly happens through informal messages, social media, and digital platforms, proper grammar, punctuation, and structured expression are often neglected or deemed less important. Written language is fundamental to a culture’s identity and its capacity to preserve and transmit knowledge across generations.
The inscriptions on monuments like the Rosetta Stone and the Behistun Inscription demonstrate how writing can capture complex ideas, beliefs, and events, bridging the gap between abstract thought and concrete information. When a society values grammar and structure, it ensures clarity and precision in communication, essential for connecting ideas, sharing discoveries, and fostering intellectual progress.
The lost art of sentence diagramming.
The erosion of emphasis on these elements, as seen today in informal digital messaging and a declining focus on language instruction, undermines our ability to communicate effectively both in writing and speech. When written language is fragmented or ambiguous, the cultural transmission of knowledge and even our shared sense of humanity become vulnerable. Proper grammar and structure enable people to relate abstract concepts to tangible facts, ultimately facilitating rich dialogues that define who we are and how we connect with one another. It is why I focus so much on it when I teach writing, and have been inspired to write a series of books on sentence diagramming using classic literature (to be published in 2026).
Critics warn that this shift threatens the precision and nuance essential for effective communication and the preservation of knowledge. The history of the Rosetta Stone and the Behistun Inscription serves as a reminder that these elements are not trivial: they are keys to understanding the past and ensuring future generations can meaningfully interpret written records.
#history #ancientegypt #ancienthistory #rosettastone #behistuninscription #writing #language #grammar #communication #education #declinein education
Happy Johnny Appleseed Day! September 26 celebrates the birth and enduring legacy of John Chapman, the real-life pioneer behind the legendary name. Chapman’s story is woven into American folklore as the man who traversed the Midwest, planting apple trees and spreading ideals of kindness, conservation, and simplicity. He left a mark not only by providing apple orchards essential for pioneer settlements but also by inspiring a spirit of generosity and respect for nature that continues to be honored across the country each year on this date.
Johnny Appleseed Day highlights the enduring appeal of American folklore and its impact on generations through memorable characters and timeless lessons. His legacy extended beyond his agricultural contributions, as stories portrayed him as a symbol of gentleness, generosity, and harmony with nature, someone who bridged divides in early America and became a reassuring figure that taught the importance of kindness and selflessness.
American history brims with other legendary figures such as Paul Bunyan, Davy Crockett, and John Henry, whose stories were passed down through oral tradition to become printed tales, offering not just entertainment but lessons about courage, perseverance, industriousness, and the value of community.
Paul Bunyan stands tall in American folklore as the colossal lumberjack who, with his blue ox Babe, shaped whole landscapes with every swing of his axe. With tales of creating the Grand Canyon by dragging his axe or forming the Great Lakes to give Babe a drink, Paul Bunyan embodies the frontier spirit and resourcefulness of early American settlers, representing the boundless imagination and industrious mindset of the era.
Davy Crockett, known as the “King of the Wild Frontier,” was a real frontiersman whose exploits grew to legendary proportions through countless stories. Depicted as a fearless hunter, scout, and sometimes congressman, tales often highlight his sharp wit and moral clarity, cementing his place as a figure representing courage, honest living, and a touch of humor in the wild territories of early America.
John Henry, the legendary “steel-driving man,” became a symbol of determination, perseverance, and the strength of the working class. The famous story tells how he raced against a steam-powered drill to prove the value of human labor, ultimately winning but at the cost of his own life. This tale became an inspiration for resilience in the face of industrial change, emphasizing dignity, sacrifice, and the human spirit.
The story of George Washington and the cherry tree is a moral legend that recounts how young Washington confessed to cutting down his father’s cherry tree, saying, “I cannot tell a lie.” Though apocryphal, this story became a staple in American households and classrooms, using the first president’s mythical honesty as a lesson in virtue and the importance of truthfulness for generations of children.
These tales, along with many others, were more than mere entertainment; they were a vital part of teaching moral virtue, guiding children toward values such as honesty, diligence, and bravery. At their heart, these folk narratives functioned as moral compasses for children and communities. Parents and educators used tales of Johnny Appleseed, Paul Bunyan, and others as tools to impart virtues such as compassion, honesty, hard work, and to highlight the value of humility in the face of adversity.
This type of guidance encouraged young people and families to model their behavior after these characters, embedding ethical lessons in the fabric of both the home and the classroom. For decades, folklore was embedded in school curricula and nightly family stories, bonding communities with a shared sense of right and wrong. Ultimately, these stories united listeners and readers with shared ideals and pride in regional and national heritage, seeing figures like Paul Bunyan as larger-than-life embodiments of the pioneering American spirit.
However, as the twentieth century progressed, shifts in American education and culture led to a gradual decline in these folklore traditions. Curricula and nightly storytelling in homes were increasingly shaped by celebrity culture, where values such as wealth, fame, and physical appearance began to overshadow the moral and ethical lessons of earlier folktales.
Influencers and internet personalities now fill the roles once held by folklore heroes, seeking external validation through likes, follows, and sponsorships, often prioritizing visibility and viral appeal over substantive values or moral development. This shift reflects a broader social trend where admiration is based less on intrinsic virtue and more on outward markers of success, sometimes encouraging behaviors that compromise personal integrity.
Celebrating Johnny Appleseed Day offers an invitation to reflect on what has been lost and what can still be gained from folklore, its ability to teach and unite, inspiring more than just fleeting recognition, but lifelong character and purpose.
#heroes #folktales #folklore #morality #virtue #education #parenting #johnnyappleseed #paulbunyan #georgewashington #Johnhenry #americana #legends #morallessons #teaching
Francesco Borromini was born on September 25, 1599, in Bissone, a small town on Lake Lugano, and went on to become one of the most original and bold architects of the Baroque era. He trained first as a stonemason before moving to Rome, where he worked under Carlo Maderno at St. Peter’s Basilica.
Borromini’s career was marked by his revolutionary approach to architecture: he rejected the rigid classicism of the Renaissance and instead used complex geometries, curves, and light to create buildings that felt dynamic and alive. Despite his talent, Borromini’s career was troubled by his difficult personality, bouts of melancholy, and professional rivalries, culminating in his tragic suicide in 1667.
Among his best-known works is San Carlo alle Quattro Fontane, affectionately known as “San Carlino,” a tiny church that masterfully utilizes undulating walls and intricate geometry to create a sense of grandeur far beyond its size.
Another celebrated work, Sant’Ivo alla Sapienza, is famous for its dramatic spiral lantern and ingenious play of convex and concave forms. His contributions brought a daring creativity to Roman architecture, reshaping how space and movement could be experienced in sacred buildings.
Gian Lorenzo Bernini and Francesco Borromini
Borromini’s story cannot be told without mentioning his rival, Gian Lorenzo Bernini, the undisputed superstar of the Roman Baroque. Bernini, born in 1598, was not only an architect but also one of the greatest sculptors in history, famed for masterpieces such as The Ecstasy of Saint Teresa, Apollo and Daphne, and numerous papal commissions. While Bernini was charming, socially gifted, and favored by popes and patrons, Borromini was reserved, sensitive, and often prickly, which won him fewer friends despite his brilliance.
Bernini rapidly became the favorite of popes, notably Urban VIII, and was appointed as the chief architect for many of Rome’s most high-profile commissions. Borromini, in contrast, was introspective, fiercely principled, and often struggled with recognition and patronage.
The two began as collaborators at St. Peter’s Basilica, especially on the ambitious baldacchino project, but their partnership soon soured as Borromini felt under-credited and overshadowed by Bernini’s celebrity. The death of their mentor, Carlo Maderno, struck Borromini hard, especially since he had hoped to inherit the role of chief architect for St. Peter’s, only to see Bernini appointed instead. This stoked Borromini’s sense of injustice and deepened his envy and frustration.
The rivalry continued to play out within the hallowed walls of St. Peter’s. Bernini claimed the grand commissions, his baldacchino became the centerpiece of the basilica, and his colonnade transformed St. Peter’s Square into one of the world’s most dramatic civic spaces. Borromini, with a keen eye for structure and detail, contributed the technical mastery required for the project but was often relegated to less-visible roles, rarely receiving the acclaim he sought.
Controversy reached a peak with the bell towers at St. Peter’s. Bernini was commissioned to construct twin towers to complete the basilica’s façade. Despite Bernini’s talent, the towers were ultimately deemed too risky to complete. Work was halted after the south tower reached virtual completion, and the structure was dismantled in 1646. The failed bell tower project became a notorious episode in Bernini’s career, both literally and figuratively, leaving Bernini publicly embarrassed and out of favor.
Although Borromini never designed or built the bell towers, he was brought in afterward to analyze why the towers had failed. His thorough assessment highlighted Bernini’s errors and reinforced the perception of Borromini as the superior technical mind. While Bernini was blamed for the collapse, later scholars argue that much of the fault lay with earlier decisions by Carlo Maderno, who established the flawed foundations, and the pressures imposed by Urban VIII. Bernini’s enemies seized the opportunity to diminish his reputation, but the failures were complex, involving poor site conditions, technical miscalculations, and shifting papal policies. Today, the unfinished towers leave the façade disproportionately wide, an enduring echo of an ambitious but ill-fated chapter in Baroque architecture.
The bell tower debacle became a vivid illustration of their fundamental differences: Bernini, the bold master of spectacle, and Borromini, the meticulous engineer whose genius often lurked in the background.
In the end, the competition between Bernini and Borromini led each to even greater achievements, with Rome itself serving as the grand stage for their rivalry, a rivalry marked as much by their artistic vision as by the bitterness and mutual provocation that followed them through their intertwined careers. St. Peter’s Basilica itself became a battleground for their rivalry, not just in terms of design but also in professional prestige. Bernini’s work, most notably the baldacchino and later the colonnade that envelops St. Peter’s Square, set the tone for the grandeur and theatricality of Roman Baroque, with ambitious sculptural and architectural statements that reshaped the city.
Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers next to Borromini’s Church of Sant’Agnese in Agone
Borromini, meanwhile, handled less visible assignments within the Basilica, including vital technical solutions and ornamental details, but always felt relegated to the margins. Their mutual resentment spilled over into public legends: in Piazza Navona, Bernini’s Fountain of the Four Rivers is said to feature gestures that mock Borromini’s Church of Sant’Agnese across the square, a symbolic exchange that epitomized their personal and professional rivalry.
Despite the antagonism, both men pushed each other to greater heights, transforming the architecture of seventeenth-century Rome. Bernini’s ability to win major commissions and charm patrons often left Borromini embittered, yet Borromini’s innovative, rigorous style set new standards for architectural ingenuity. The contest for St. Peter’s meant that Rome itself became the stage for their enduring, legendary conflict.
On a personal note, while Borromini’s story fascinates me and I definitely appreciate his brilliance, I must admit that Bernini holds a special place in my heart. His sculptures possess an emotional power that feels unparalleled, and even though he was known to be something of a rogue in his personal life, I like to call him my “Baroque boyfriend.”
#architecture #bernini #sculpture #Rome #Baroque #borromini #arthistory #vaticancity #stpeters
September 24, 1869, is remembered as Black Friday, the day a highly coordinated act of collusion between elite financial interests and political insiders unleashed chaos on Wall Street and across the American economy. The panic was engineered by Jay Gould and Jim Fisk, who attempted to corner the gold market for personal gain by leveraging relationships at the highest levels of government, including the President’s own brother-in-law.
Gould and Fisk assembled a ring of conspirators to concentrate gold ownership, using their railroad and financial clout along with inside access to Treasury plans. They bribed the assistant treasurer, employed social pressure, attempted bribes at the presidential level, and planted arguments to obstruct federal gold sales, all with the intention of driving up prices and dictating market outcomes through force rather than allowing voluntary exchange to set values.
Their manipulation created an environment where normal economic calculation and genuine market signals were replaced by panic, rumor, and rumor-driven speculation. As the gold price reached unsustainable highs, ordinary participants and regional producers were left powerless. President Grant finally intervened by directing the release of $4 million in Treasury gold, shattering the artificial price and exposing the extent of the manipulation. The fabricated boom collapsed within minutes, wiping out fortunes and exposing the risks built by a system where the rules favor the well-connected.
Photograph of the blackboard in the New York Gold Room, September 24, 1869, showing the collapse of the price of gold. A handwritten caption by James A. Garfield indicates that it was used as evidence before the Committee on Banking & Currency during hearings in 1870.
Values collapsed in an instant, leaving widespread ruin: stocks fell, trade stopped, and vast fortunes evaporated, while those closest to the power structure avoided the worst consequences thanks to personal legal shields. Routine activity gave way to instability as farmers, merchants, and creditors became mere spectators to a process controlled by a small, privileged group.
This approach, rooted in cronyism, enabled a handful of actors to circumvent the decentralized impulses of voluntary exchange and instead dictate gold prices according to their interests. The insiders, buffered by their relationships, often avoided the full consequences of their actions, leaving the disarray to ripple outward to working Americans, credit markets, and international trade.
Black Friday thus entered the American vocabulary as a byword for disaster born of central influence and privileged deals, serving as a warning of what happens when the rules of open exchange are subverted by those with access to centralized decision-making.
Black Friday thus stands as a stark instance of the dangers inherent when a few are granted special privilege to set the rules, withholding information and constraining natural competition in order to serve narrow aims. The ultimate damage, including bankruptcies, suspended trade, and public distrust, underscores that prosperity emerges not from centralized direction or backroom deals, but from the distributed, transparent processes that let markets reflect true preferences and risk.
Whenever those processes are replaced by centralized control and crony access, market signals become warped, uncertainty multiplies, and entire systems face unpredictable collapse. When free market processes are curtailed by concentrated power and private privilege, uncertainty and sudden collapse become the rule rather than the exception; a warning about the long-term consequences of centralizing control and suppressing the spontaneous order of open exchange.
#freemarket #blackfriday #gold #marketmanipulation #cronyism
The Cincinnati Red Stockings in 1868, one year before they turned professional.
On September 23, 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings took the field as the first all-professional baseball team, marking the beginning of an ever-evolving journey that would inextricably link baseball with the American identity. From these roots, the game’s structure matured rapidly with changes to league organization and official rules.
League teams developed unique cultures and competitive styles as rulebooks adapted to pitching speed, strike zones, equipment, and even game duration, mirroring the ambitions and ingenuity of cities and their fans. Baseball soon flourished far beyond mere recreation, emerging as America’s pastime and resonating deeply with generations who saw themselves reflected in the sport’s virtues: teamwork, skill, resilience, and an openness to change.
Baseball emerged as it was played in neighborhood sandlots and shared among friends, soon growing into a sport woven into the national fabric of Americana. Local teams and amateur leagues flourished before the formation of organized bodies, such as the National League in 1876 and the American League in 1901, both of which set the stage for the first official World Series in 1903. These competitions didn’t just crown champions; they also brought together communities and inspired local pride, setting the rhythms for summers across the country.
An overflow crowd at the Huntington Avenue Grounds in Boston prior to Game 3 of the 1903 World Series.
As baseball evolved, its rules changed to maintain fair and exciting games. Fans witnessed the transformation of pitching styles, the adoption of nine innings, and shifts in equipment as officials responded to evolving styles of play and crowd preferences. The introduction of night games in the 1930s made baseball more accessible to Americans, drawing families to ballparks under stadium lights and transforming box scores into daily rituals for millions. The game’s expansion to new cities fostered iconic traditions, such as hot dogs, seventh-inning stretches, and the crack of the bat, which are essential sounds and tastes of summer.
Baseball’s reach expanded through the Negro Leagues and the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, both of which represented resilience and new opportunities. These leagues highlighted untapped talent and helped create pathways for change, strengthening the notion that baseball could unite people from different backgrounds and celebrate achievement across the spectrum of American society. The addition of expansion teams, especially after the 1950s, provided more cities with a home team to cheer for, thereby deepening the sport’s influence with each new ballpark and fan base.
Each change in baseball’s rules and structure came from the desire to sustain fair play, nurture excitement, and keep the spirit of competition alive. Whether in working-class city blocks, sweeping prairie fields, or bustling modern stadiums, baseball’s enduring appeal lies in its role as a source of shared memories and enduring community, a game that is, and remains, a cherished strand of Americana.
For someone who grew up in northern California, first rooting for the Oakland A's, becoming a Giants fan, and now, by marriage, finding joy in Mariners baseball, the game offers a tapestry of memories shaped by place, family, and shared enthusiasm. Baseball inspired community pride and personal connections, whether at raucous Bay Area parks or in passionate support for Seattle’s team.
Attending baseball games around the country has been part of my travel plans for years, whether watching the Yankees battle the Red Sox at the Green Monster or taking in an afternoon game at Petco Park. Trying to visit all the parks, even if my favorite teams are not playing, has become a goal. I have even started going to more minor league games outside of the Stockton Ports and Modesto A’s that I frequented while living in Northern California. I love the intimate experience and smaller parks as I watch up-and-coming talent find their place in this amazing sport.
This year has been even more remarkable! Like all Mariners fans, I linger with hope and pride as we support a franchise famous for never having reached the World Series, yet boasting a remarkable 2025 season. That charge has been enhanced by Cal Raleigh, Seattle’s power-hitting catcher, who has amassed 58 home runs and 121 RBIs so far this year, ranking atop league leaderboards and earning renown for clutch moments in September.
This last weekend, as I watched with baited breath and intense glee as they swept the Astros, I saw my husband have more hope for his home team than ever before. But beyond that personal connection, this 2025 Mariners team exhibits what I love about baseball. They are dedicated yet have fun; they are playing for the joy of the game. They show kindness to each other and their fans; they truly deserve to be where they are. With all that I am, I hope this is the year!
I have many personal stories that are intertwined with the sport itself. Happy memories of my parents watching games on television or attending the Oakland Coliseum. I fondly recall hanging out in the garage with my dad as he worked on his latest train layout, all while listening to KNBR Giants radio. I even had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity in my late teens while working as a theatrical makeup artist in central Florida. George Steinbrenner, the legendary owner of the Yankees, hired me to help disguise him so he could attend spring training on the day his suspension ended. That brief brush with baseball royalty ignited a fondness for the Yankees, forever forging a connection between family, craft, and the spectacle of the sport.
I had the opportunity in 2021 to see Julio Rodriguez at the plate as an Arkansas Traveler in 2021.
These are just some of the memories I have; I could write an entire memoir on just my appreciation and interaction with the sport. I am sure there are millions of others who have also been positively influenced by baseball since its inception in 1869. Ultimately, all of this just reinforces baseball’s wholesome, heartening presence in American life. From childhood memories in California stadiums to the joyful unpredictability of this season, the sport remains a powerful symbol of togetherness, aspiration, and enduring hope for fans and communities everywhere.
#baseball #americana #onthisday #sports
September 22, 1773 marks the anniversary of Benjamin Franklin’s publication of "An Edict by the King of Prussia." This hilarious and devastatingly effective satire appeared in The Public Advertiser, presenting a fictional decree from Frederick II, as if Prussia demanded the same arbitrary obedience and economic servitude from Britain that Britain was forcing onto its American colonies. Read the full text here: 
The essay’s detailed and ridiculous pronouncements, such as banning British trade with certain countries and levying taxes on British goods, mirrored real colonial grievances: “none shall be carried out of one County into another, nor shall any Worsted-Bay, or Woollen-Yarn, Cloth, Says, Bays, Kerseys, Serges, Frizes, Druggets, Cloth-Serges, Shalloons, or any other Drapery Stuffs, or Woollen Manufactures whatsoever…”
Franklin’s approach was bold and transformative, using satire to reveal the hypocrisy and injustice of imperial policy. Many contemporary readers did not realize immediately that Franklin’s "Edict" was a hoax; several even responded in outrage or confusion. Franklin’s parallel between Prussian and British rule was so vivid that it prompted the British public and Parliament to reconsider the logic and fairness of colonial administration, making the injustice clear through biting humor and role-reversal.
A companion piece to the "Edict," "Rules by Which a Great Empire May be Reduced to a Small One" (published September 11, 1773), was Franklin’s tongue-in-cheek instruction manual for the self-destruction of empires. Franklin wrote: “If you make Laws, … let them be always for your own benefit, and at the expense of the Colonies.” Read the full text here: 
Franklin’s writings spurred debate throughout the colonies and England, providing compelling arguments for liberty, rights, and representative government in the American Revolution. Relying on satire, pamphlets, philosophical treatises, and practical advice, Franklin helped change the way colonists and, later, readers abroad, understood the relationship between citizens and their rulers and the moral necessity of self-government. His essays influenced not only the debates of the day but also the development of new principles of freedom that would shape nations around the world well into the future.
Franklin was truly a polymath, with a restless intellect and an inventive spirit that led to contributions in science, technology, diplomacy, and civic organization. His inventions. like the lightning rod that made buildings safer, bifocals that improved vision, and the Franklin stove that efficiently heated homes, are just a few examples of his practical genius. Franklin’s insight into politics, economics, and human nature made him celebrated both at home and abroad.
Franklin’s ability to use texts for thoughtful debate and persuasion shaped not only the American Revolution but also later conversations on rights and freedom worldwide. His satire rallied colonists, including politicians, merchants, and ordinary readers, against oppression. These works didn’t just reflect colonial discontent; they invited active, rational discussion about sovereignty, justice, and the promises of representative government, forming the backbone of public opinion in the revolutionary era and beyond.
In the modern era, the style of Franklin’s thoughtful, debate-provoking writing has sadly been eclipsed by fleeting social media posts and deliberately provocative outrage. In place of rational conversations seeking common understanding and solutions, many platforms now amplify division and tribal conflict. Franklin’s brand of writing, designed to inform, persuade, and inspire critical thinking, remains an aspirational model for public discourse, at odds with today’s climate of ideological warfare and rage-baiting.
Quality writing that stirs the mind and encourages problem-solving is needed more than ever to counter the descent into narrow partisanship and digital squabbles. The lessons from Franklin’s era point to the value of wit, reason, and honest debate, values too often lost in the turbulence of our connected, contentious age.
#benjaminfranklin #americanrevolution #debate #satire #politicaldebate #americanindependence