Did the Founding Fathers see the AI Sapiens coming?

May 7, 2024

No, the Founding Fathers did not see the AI Sapiens coming. They were clueless. 

The Founding Fathers never received a telegram, never made a phone call, never took a picture, never used automobiles or cars, never flew in airplanes, never played baseball or watched a baseball game, never played American football or watched a football game, never played basketball or watched a basketball game, never listened to radio, never watched TV, never enjoyed air conditioning, never consumed industrially processed foods, were never prescribed antibiotics, never used anesthesia, never had orthodontic braces, never used a calculator, never owned a computer, never emailed anything, never got online, never Googled anything, never had ipods, never owned a smartphone, never cared for iphones, never texted anyone, never followed or befriended anyone on social media, never took selfies, never wasted time watching videos, never read articles written by AI, never fell for AI deep fakes, and never ever saw AI Sapiens coming. 

No rational modern-day human of the 2020s would reasonably trade places with the Founding Fathers of the 1700s. Yet humans can be predictably irrational so many would jump into a time machine to become a Founding Parent. They would want to live the excitement of creating a new nation from scratch, one that would arguably become the greatest on Earth and in the entire history of humanity. Many would fall for the dopamine loop of making history and leaving a legacy. For many humans, the idea of being remembered after death is a proxy to the immortality they instinctively desire to achieve. 

Humans will eventually achieve immortality, and many will regret it. Remembering the good old days of natural death will bring nostalgia to many AI Sapiens of the future. Luckily for everyone alive today, there is nothing to worry because immortality is still many centuries away. 

No one who is alive today will achieve immortality or see the rise of immortal AI Sapiens. Everyone who is alive today will die within the next 200 years. The humans born or sprung 200 years from now, could live for 300 years. Those born or generated 300 years from now will have a decent shot at immortality. 

These are the king of things that the Founding Fathers did not see coming in the 1700s. Three centuries later, however, it is easier to see where all of this is going. We can see imagine more and see farther in to the future than the Founding Fathers of the past. 

Below brief information about who were the Founding Fathers of the United States, what were the technologies of their days, how was medicine back then, and a brief list of the inventions that they never got to enjoy.

The Seven Founding Fathers 

Many individuals, both men and women, contributed to the establishment of the United States of America. The Founding "Parent" were all those who helped establish the country and draft their key documents such as the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and the Bill of Rights. The following seven men are commonly listed as the main Founding Fathers of the United States:

• Benjamin Franklin: Born in Boston, Massachusetts, in 1706, was a statesman, diplomat, inventor, scientist, and philosopher. Played a key role in securing French support for the American Revolution and was a delegate to the Constitutional Convention. Franklin was 70 in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed. He died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1790 at the age of 84, from a pleuritic attack (lung lining inflammation).

• George Washington: Born in 1732, in Westmoreland County, Virginia, British America, was the Commander-in-Chief of the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Presided over the Constitutional Convention and was unanimously elected as the first President under the newly adopted Constitution. Washington was 44 years old in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed. He died in Mount Vernon, Virginia, in 1799 at the age of 67, from bacterial epiglottitis infection.

• John Adams: Born in 1735, in Birthplace: Braintree, Massachusetts, British America. Leader of the American independence movement and played a crucial role in diplomatic efforts to secure foreign support for the colonies' cause. He served as the second President of the United States and was a key advocate for the adoption of the Declaration of Independence. Adams was 41 in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed. He died in Quincy, Massachusetts, in 1826 at the age of 90, from heart failure.

• Thomas Jefferson: Born in Birthplace: Shadwell, Virginia, in 1743, was the principal author of the Declaration of Independence, which proclaimed the United States of America independent from British rule. He also served as the third President of the United States and was instrumental in the expansion of the nation through the Louisiana Purchase. He was 33 years old in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed. He died in Monticello, Virginia, in 1826 at the age of 83, from kidney failure.

• John Jay: Born in New York City, in 1745, was the first Chief Justice of the United States and played a crucial role in shaping the nation's legal system. He had been a diplomat and negotiator of the Treaty of Paris, which ended the American Revolutionary War. He was 31 in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed. He died in Bedford, New York, in 1829 at the age of 83, of a stroke. 

• James Madison: Born in Port Conway, Virginia, in 1751, is often called the "Father of the Constitution" for his role in drafting the U.S. Constitution and his advocacy for its ratification. He also co-authored the Federalist Papers, which were instrumental in garnering support for the Constitution. He was 25 years old in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed, and 37 in 1788 when the Constitution was ratified. He died in Montpelier, Virginia, in 1836 at the age of 85, from heart failure.

• Alexander Hamilton: Born in 1755, in Charlestown, Nevis, British West Indies, which was a British possession like British America. He moved to New York (also a British possession back then) to study at the King's College (now Columbia University) on a scholarship. He was a leading advocate for a strong federal government, co-authored the Federalist Papers, and served as the first Secretary of the Treasury.  He was 21 years old in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed. He died in New York City, in 1804 at the age of 49, from a fatal gunshot wound sustained in a duel with Aaron Burr.

Each Founding Father brought unique perspectives, talents, and contributions to the cause of American independence and the creation of a new nation.

Technologies of the 1700s

The 1700s, often referred to as the 18th century, was a period of significant technological advancement and innovation, laying the groundwork for the Industrial Revolution in the following century. Some of the main technologies that emerged or saw significant developments during this period include:

• Steam Engine: Although the concept of steam power dates back to ancient times, significant advancements were made in the 18th century. Thomas Newcomen's atmospheric steam engine (1712) and James Watt's improved version (1769) played crucial roles in powering machinery and transportation, leading to the widespread adoption of steam power during the Industrial Revolution.

• Textile Machinery: The textile industry experienced major technological advancements with the invention of machines such as the spinning jenny (James Hargreaves, 1764), the water frame (Richard Arkwright, 1769), and the spinning mule (Samuel Crompton, 1779). These machines are the poster children of the Industrial Revolution, which revolutionized the production of textiles, leading to increased efficiency, and eventually displacing (and freeing) human slaves.

• Iron and Steel Production: Innovations in metallurgy, such as the development of coke smelting by Abraham Darby in the early 18th century, led to significant improvements in iron and steel production. The widespread adoption of techniques like puddling and rolling further fueled the growth of industries such as construction, machinery, and transportation.

• Canals and Waterways: The construction of canals and waterways became increasingly important for transportation and trade during the 18th century. Projects such as the Bridgewater Canal (opened in 1761) in England and the Erie Canal (completed in 1825) in the United States played crucial roles in facilitating the movement of goods and people.

• Navigation and Exploration: Advancements in navigation and exploration technologies, including improved navigational instruments like the sextant and chronometer, enabled more accurate mapping of the world and facilitated global exploration and trade.

• Scientific Instruments: The 18th century saw significant advancements in scientific instruments and equipment. Innovations such as the microscope, telescope, barometer, and thermometer played important roles in advancing scientific knowledge and understanding.

• Printing Press: Although the printing press had been invented in the 15th century, advancements in printing technology continued in the 18th century. Developments such as the iron hand press and steam-powered printing presses improved the efficiency and speed of printing, leading to increased dissemination of knowledge through printed materials.

• Clocks and Watches: The 18th century saw improvements in clockmaking and the widespread adoption of accurate timekeeping devices. The development of the marine chronometer by John Harrison in the mid-18th century revolutionized navigation by enabling accurate determination of longitude at sea.

These are just a few examples of the main technologies that emerged or saw significant advancements during the 18th century, setting the stage for the transformative changes that would characterize the Industrial Revolution in the 19th century.

Medicine in the 1700s

Medicine in the 1700s was significantly different from modern medical practices, with limited understanding of diseases, treatments, and medical technologies. 

• Limited Medical Knowledge: Medical knowledge in the 18th century was based on theories and beliefs that often lacked scientific evidence. Many diseases were poorly understood, and medical treatments were often based on superstition and tradition rather than empirical evidence.

• Growth of Medical Institutions: Despite limited scientific understanding, the 18th century saw the growth of medical institutions and the professionalization of medicine. Medical schools were established, and physicians began to receive formal training in anatomy, physiology, and medical theory.

• Role of Physicians: Physicians in the 18th century played a central role in diagnosing and treating illnesses, though their methods and treatments were often primitive by modern standards. Bleeding, purging, and other forms of "heroic medicine" were commonly practiced, often with little regard for the underlying cause of the illness.

• Herbal Remedies: Herbal medicine was widely practiced in the 18th century, with physicians and apothecaries prescribing various plant-based remedies to treat ailments. Herbal remedies were often used to alleviate symptoms rather than cure diseases, and their effectiveness varied widely.

• Surgery: Surgical techniques in the 18th century were rudimentary and often performed without anesthesia or antiseptic measures. Surgeons relied on crude instruments and techniques to perform procedures such as amputations, lithotomies (removal of bladder stones), and trepanning (drilling holes in the skull).

• Inoculation and Vaccination: Inoculation against smallpox was introduced in the 18th century as a means of preventing the disease. This involved deliberately infecting individuals with a small amount of smallpox virus to induce immunity. The practice of vaccination, using cowpox to prevent smallpox, was pioneered by Edward Jenner in the late 18th century.

• Public Health Measures: Public health measures in the 18th century focused primarily on sanitation and hygiene. Efforts were made to improve cleanliness in cities and reduce the spread of disease through measures such as waste disposal and quarantine.

• Medical Instruments: Medical instruments used in the 18th century included lancets for bleeding, forceps for extracting teeth, and obstetrical instruments for childbirth. These instruments were often crude and unsophisticated compared to modern medical tools.

Overall, medicine in the 18th century was characterized by a mixture of traditional practices, limited scientific understanding, and emerging medical advancements. While significant progress was made in some areas, many aspects of medical practice remained primitive, rudimentary, painful, and grossly ineffective by modern standards.

Three Iconic Inventions of the 1800s (19th Century):

1. Photography: The invention of photography in the early 19th century (with pioneers like Joseph Nicéphore Niépce and Louis Daguerre) led to the development of various photographic processes and the popularization of photography as an art form and means of documentation.
2. Telecommunications: The invention of the telegraph by Samuel Morse in 1837 revolutionized long-distance communication, allowing messages to be transmitted quickly over telegraph wires using Morse code. The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell in 1876, and revolutionized the human world with an incredible god-like telecommunications technology. 
3. Electricity: The development of electricity as a practical source of energy paved the way for numerous inventions, including the incandescent light bulb (Thomas Edison, 1879) and electric motors, which revolutionized industry and daily life.

Three Iconic Innovations of the 20th Century:

1. Automobiles: The 20th century saw the mass production and widespread adoption of automobiles, airplanes, and other forms of transportation, revolutionizing travel and commerce.
2. Electronics: The development of electronics in the first half of the 20th century, including vacuum tubes, transistors, and integrated circuits, led to the invention of radios, televisions, calculators, computers, and all other electronic devices that became have become essential parts of modern human life. The development of the personal computers, the internet, and digital technologies in the second half of the 20th century transformed communication, commerce, and social interaction on a global scale and even in parts of outer space with the proliferation of satellites. 
3. Modern Medicine: The 20th century saw remarkable advancements in medicine and healthcare, including the discovery of antibiotics (like penicillin), vaccines, and surgical techniques that revolutionized healthcare and began to give a glimpse about future breakthroughs for the extension of human lifespan.

Three Iconic Technologies of the first Quarter of the 21st Century:

1. Digital Technology: The 21st century has been marked by the widespread adoption of digital technologies, including high-speed internet, transforming how humans live, access information, and communicate. Breakthroughs in nanotechnology have led to the development of computer processors that are beginning to surpass human neural computational capabilities.
2. Biotechnology: Advances in biotechnology and genetics have led to breakthroughs in areas such as gene editing (CRISPR), personalized medicine, and genetic engineering, with profound implications for healthcare, agriculture, and bioengineering.
3. Artificial Intelligence: Rapid advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and automation technologies have led to the development of autonomous vehicles, intelligent assistants, and machine learning systems that are reshaping industries and economies.

These are just a few examples of the many technological advancements that have shaped the modern world during the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries. Each century has brought its own set of innovations and transformations, driving progress and reshaping human society in profound ways.

The Founding Fathers made history and changed the human world by helping found the United States of America, birthplace of the majority of the innovations and technologies that have changed the human world in the past 300 years. Guess what. The best is yet to come. Don't miss out. Stay tuned.

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