Convene A Junto

Brian Grazer's lifelong habit of hosting "curiosity conversations" with folks far outside of his industry reminded me of a pattern that struck me while reading an excellent biography on Benjamin Franklin. One of the things that Franklin did early in his career was organize what he called the "Junto," a "small club composed of enterprising tradesmen and artisans, rather than the social elite who had their own fancier gentlemen's clubs. At first, the members went to a local tavern for their Friday evening meetings, but soon they were able to rent a house of their own..."

I couldn't help but wonder how such conversations impacted his thinking over time - he was involved in Junto gatherings for over thirty years! A man whose social schemes and scientific discoveries ranged far and wide, it's no wonder he had so many breakthroughs; he sought them out, and he sought company who might stimulate fresh thinking. Isaacson describes the topics of such gatherings, as well as Franklin’s guidelines for governing participation. It’s well worth noting the rules of engagement and the scope of the discussions to appreciate how such meetings must have shaped his thinking:

"There they discussed issues of the day, debated philosophical topics, devised schemes for self-improvement, and formed a network for the furtherance of their own careers. The topics discussed ranged from the social to the scientific and metaphysical. Most of them were earnest, some were quirky, and all were intriguing. Did importing indentured servants make America more prosperous? What made a piece of writing good? Why did condensation form on a cold mug? What accounted for happiness? What is wisdom?...

"In addition to such topics of debate, Franklin laid out a guide for the type of conversational contributions each member could usefully make. There were twenty-four in all, and because their practicality is so revealing of Franklin's purposeful approach, they are worth excerpting at length:

1. Have you met with anything in the author you last read remarkable or suited to be communicated to the Junto?

2. What new story have you lately heard agreeable for telling in conversation?

3. Hath any citizen in your knowledge failed in his business lately, and what have you heard of the cause?

4. Have you lately heard of any citizen's thriving well, and by what means?...

12. Hath any deserving stranger arrived in town since last meeting that you heard of? And what have you heard of his character or merits? And whether you think it lies in the power of the Junto to oblige him or encourage him as he deserves?..."

Sixteen years later, "he proposed what was in effect an intercolonial Junto, to be called the American Philosophical Society... It would be based in Philadelphia and include scientists and thinkers from other cities. They would share their studies by post, and abstracts would be sent to each member four times a year.

As with the detailed charter he created for the Junto, Franklin was very specific about the type of subjects to be explored, which were, unsurprisingly, more practical than purely theoretical: 'newly discovered plants, herbs, trees, roots, their virtues, uses, etc;... improvements of vegetable juices, such as ciders, wines, etc;' new methods of curing or preventing diseases;... improvements in any branch of mathematics... new arts, trades, and manufactures... surveys, maps and charts... methods of improving the breeds of animals... and all philosophical experiments that let light into the nature of things..."

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