A Meal with Mr. Electricity by MacKenzie

A Meal with Mr. Electricity by MacKenzie - February 2016 Scholarship Essay

When I think about historical figures the first thing that comes to my mind is Benjamin Franklin. Looking at the world today many of the biggest advancements in our society have been technologically based. We have come so far since Benjamin Franklin's electric stove and discovery of the conduction of electricity brought to us by his kite experiment. We now possess technological tools that will find those types of advancements all by themselves.
If I had the opportunity to have a meal with him I would start by asking Ben Franklin how he felt about these new technology advances. If he thinks that he could have ever made it as far as the inventors and engineers have made it today, would his mind have been able to come up with the same things today’s modern engineers have created. I wonder how he would feel about all the advancements in the world today, does he think that the vast amount of technology upgrades are benefiting society or causing a slow destruction of the world around us. I would also be curious to know what went through his own mind as he was creating the stove or other advances. What made him think of these elaborate things when during his time there were not many other advancements to base his ideas off of. Questions like “how did you think of that?” and “what made you think that would be useful?”, would be various questions running through my head.
I think in a way having lunch with such an intelligent man would increase my inclination to help the world around me. In addition I feel it would help me to understand better the history of our country and technology, and maybe even appreciate the advances regarding technology more.