Reading and writing

 In poor Richards' almanac Benjamin Franklin wrote, " If you would not be forgotten, as soon as you are dead and rotten, either writes things worth reading, or do things worth writing. " That bit of advice was in the May edition of 1738. That was 280 years ago. I believe old Bens' advice is just as valid today as it was then. Where he here today I expect he would have a lot to say about social media posts and tweets as a form of writing. You can become memorable for the things you write there! I question though how many will be remembered after you are gone? That is what Franklin was talking about, making a positive contribution to the conversation. Write things worth reading was the advice. I do believe there is little we can write that someone else hasn't already written in some form or another. As we acquire wisdom from others we do repeat that wisdom. Often we paraphrase that wisdom to make it sound like our own. That is not so important as the sharing of that wisdom.
 The other half of Franklins' advice recommends you do things worth writing about. I think he was saying if you don't write it yourself, do something to have others write about you. Remember the object is not to be remembered, but not to be forgotten. That is a nuance many fail to recognize.  Franklin uses the word worth and the implication is clear, worth is something of value. Too many people today don't understand the " worth " or value of words and actions, mistaking them as just something to be remembered. Not all memorable words are good, and atrocities are surely remembered longer than good deeds. But that is the nature of man.
 Another quote from Franklin says. " Your net worth to the world is usually determined by what remains after you subtract your bad habits from your good ones. " You can't argue with that statement either, not if you are an honest person. Franklin had many bad habits, we read all about that today, but he is remembered for his wit and wisdom, along with his inventions and discoveries. All his faults are mentioned today as a means to make us feel better about ourselves. And that is what I read a lot on social media as well. A lot of posts about the shortcomings of others, in an effort to justify their own failings. It is really the " I'm no worse than " argument. Using that logic we can do or say just about anything,  by comparison. Think smoking marijuana as an example. It's no worse than drinking alcohol. Sounds logical doesn't it? Is smoking pot a good thing? It isn't any better than drinking is my response. See the difference there? The reality is we should be striving for better than, an improvement,  not a  no worse than mentality. We really should be striving to be better. Settling for I'm no worse than will get you forgotten, just another face in the crowd. Your net worth to the world than being equal to all others.
 Franklin says, if you would not be forgotten. He goes on to say you must take action. The things that we write are not always in books. They may be written in the hearts of those that we love. I believe that is more to the point Franklin was talking about. As I often say, as long as a person name is spoken, they are never gone. The words are written in the hearts of others. The hope is the story, the words, are good ones. Doing things that are worth reading or doing things that are worth writing. That is the task before us, a task we call living. In the end, when it all is said and done, what will your net worth be? What account book is being used? Thomas Jefferson said, " Honesty is the first chapter of the book of wisdom. " That is a book worth writing; and reading.