Living by the Constitution with a Quill Pen

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The chapter explores the speaker's immersive experience in living by the principles of the Constitution through writing with a quill pen. It delves into the impact of using a quill on their thought process, highlighting the benefits of disconnecting from modern distractions. The discussion includes insights on the historical significance of using a quill to write important documents like the Constitution and touches on the contrasting interpretations of the Constitution by historical figures.

What does it mean to live Constitutionally in the year 2024? For a start, it means getting off social media. It also means swapping a quill pen for your keyboard, and candlelight for electricity. And don't forget the tricorn hat and musket--though maybe skip the boiled mutton. Join author A.J. Jacobs as he deep-dives with EconTalk's Russ Roberts into the centuries-old principles of the U.S. Constitution and tries to apply them to the current day. Topics include the original conceptions of our most cherished amendments, the office of the President, and the Supreme Court, and an explanation of how one can be an originalist and still believe in gender equity. Jacobs also shares his family's experience writing its own constitution, and explains why his research made him more optimistic about the future of American democracy.