Quill Pens and Democracy: AJ Jacobs Rediscovers the Constitution

Hello Remarkable Listener,

I recently had the pleasure of sitting down with AJ Jacobs, the master of immersive journalism, to discuss his latest adventure: living for one year according to the original meaning of the U.S. Constitution.

He is an author and journalist known for his, shall I say, immersive experiments as well as his New York Times bestselling books. His first book, The Know It All chronicled his quest to read the entire Encyclopedia Britannica. Another New York Times bestseller, The Year of Living Biblically detailed his experience following the Bible's rules for a year.

This conversation was not only hilarious but also offers fresh insights into the foundations of American democracy!

AJ's constitutional journey revealed several eye-opening realities:

• The Founding Fathers couldn't predict everything: From social media to modern weapons, many of today's challenges were unimaginable in the 18th century. AJ's experiences highlight the ongoing debate between constitutional originalism and living constitutionalism.
• Rights have evolved significantly: Women's suffrage, civil rights, and LGBTQ+ equality weren't part of the original document. AJ's experiment underscores how far we've come – and how far we still have to go.
• Civic engagement is crucial: By reviving traditions like election cakes, AJ reminds us that democracy thrives on active participation. It's not just about voting; it's about creating a culture of engagement.
• The Constitution is a living document: Despite its age, the Constitution continues to shape our daily lives. AJ's year-long experiment brings this reality into sharp focus, from free speech issues to Second Amendment debates.
• Balance is key: The struggle between preserving tradition and embracing progress is ongoing. AJ's journey illustrates the importance of finding this balance in interpreting and applying the Constitution.

Beyond these insights, AJ's experiment challenged me to reconsider my own relationship with the Constitution. It's easy to take our rights and freedoms for granted but living by 18th-century rules – even for a day – can be a powerful reminder of how far we've come.

As we face unprecedented challenges to our democracy, AJ's constitutional adventure serves as a call to action. It reminds us that the work of forming "a more perfect union" is never done. It's up to each of us to engage, to question, and to contribute to the ongoing American experiment.

I encourage you to listen to this discussion with AJ Jacobs on the Remarkable People podcast. Let's reflect on how we can each play a part in shaping the future of our democracy while honoring its past.

The sun may have been rising on the chair in Philadelphia in 1787, but whether it continues to rise or set on American democracy is up to us.

Let's pick up our quill pens (or keyboards) and get to work!

Don't miss this episode! Listen now: https://bit.ly/ajspdnfis

By the way—you can subscribe to my new Substack newsletter here: https://guykawasaki.substack.com

Mahalo!

Guy