Happy Birthday Ben!
Ben Franklin had two birthdays...
Yes, it’s true - Ben Franklin had two birthdays.
Franklin was born in Boston on January 6, 1706. But in 1752, Great Britain switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar and skipped 11 days. So Franklin’s birthday became January 17. In 1773 he wrote to his wife, Deborah Franklin, “I feel still some Regard for this Sixth of January, as my old nominal Birth-day.”
So, today January 12 is about halfway in between the two, so I thought I would do something for his birthday today.
I did something a little geeky. I ask an online AI program to generate a poem about Ben Franklin. Because it is AI it has some “weirdness” to it, but I wanted to show what it came up with. (Note: I did a plagiarism check with Grammarly and it came up 100% original. I can see why many people are upset about AI-generated content)
Disclaimer: The content below is not mine, but generated via online AI for entertainment purposes.
An Ode to Ben Franklin
“In the land of freedom and revolution's birth,
There stood a man, a beacon of wisdom and mirth.
His name was Benjamin Franklin, a legend of old,
A Renaissance soul, shining bright, bold.
Born in Boston, the year seventeen o'clock,
A curious mind, forever poised to unlock.
He embraced the arts and sciences with zeal,
A polymath unrivaled, with knowledge so real.
From printing presses to libraries grand,
Franklin weaved words with an artisan's hand.
His wit and wisdom flowed through ink on a page,
Inspiring minds, igniting hearts in an age.
As an inventor, he dared to dream,
Harnessing lightning's power, or so it would seem.
With his kite and key, he pondered the sky,
Unleashing a force that made history fly.
A founding father, he championed liberty's cause,
Drafting declarations, shaping the laws.
His voice echoed in halls of independence,
A visionary, challenging our nation's essence.
A diplomat, he traversed oceans wide,
Negotiating peace, forging alliances with pride.
In France's courts, he dazzled with charm,
Representing a new world, shielded from harm.
But amidst his exploits and lofty pursuits,
Franklin held virtues that resonated, absolute.
Frugality and industry, principles so dear,
A self-made man, banishing sloth and fear.
His aphorisms, like sparks from a flame,
Illuminate paths to success without shame.
Early to bed, early to rise,
A testament to discipline, beyond the skies.
So, let us honor this extraordinary sage,
Whose legacy continues to inspire with age.
Benjamin Franklin, a titan among men,
May his spirit endure, time and again.“
Happy Birthday Ben
Your thoughts on this experiment?
Salty Richard