Ben Franklin in 2025? Explore this thriller (Q&A) > Likes and Comments

Hello everyone! I'm Lee D. Blumenthal, and I am thrilled to join this fellowship of readers. I’ve spent my life wondering: What if Benjamin Franklin came back today, and I was the one who had to show him around?. This curiosity led me to write my first historical technothriller, Echoes of Genius: The Deep Surge. Please join this discussion. I will be happy to answer your questions.

About the book:
The story follows Benjamin Franklin's return to the year 2025. While he primarily identified himself as a humble printer, he was also the man who tamed the lightning with a kite. We all know how that story goes (or was supposed to have gone). In The Deep Surge, we explore the idea that Franklin’s famous kite experiment wasn't just a discovery of electricity, but a biological event that activated him to the Earth's natural energy grid.

Now, 300 years later, he joins a team of MIT physicists led by Dr. Piper Ronstaat. Together, they must protect a revolutionary clean energy source from Aethelgard Global, a global corporate monopoly that maintains its power by keeping resources scarce. It’s a race across the globe, from 18th-century Philadelphia to modern-day high-tech labs, where the struggle for liberty has moved from the physical battlefield to the digital world.

Layered Themes:
I wrote this for readers who enjoy thrillers with intellectual depth and historical philosophy. We dive into:

- Ethical Tension: The conflict between open-source scientific discovery and corporate greed.
- Speculative Concepts: Using 'planetary resonance' and the Earth’s own pulse as a power source.
- Character Driven Discussion: Watching a Founding Father use 18th-century virtues, like silence, industry, and sincerity, to bypass billion-dollar modern surveillance.

The Discussion Topic (Q&A Invitation):
I would love to open a Q&A on a central theme that drives the book: Scientific Discovery versus Ethical Responsibility.

The Example: In the book, my protagonists find a way to tap into the Earth’s core energy. This 'Great Fluid' (as Ben called it) could end global poverty, but if mishandled, it could cause catastrophic environmental shifts.

The Question: Benjamin Franklin famously refused to patent his inventions (such as the lightning rod and bifocals). Ben believed that because we benefit from others' inventions, we should share our own freely. In our modern world of monopolies and ‘BIG’ companies, do you think a scientist should have a moral obligation to release a world-changing discovery immediately for the common good, or should they suppress it if they fear it will be weaponized or fall into the wrong hands?

OK, readers, I look forward to hearing your thoughts and answering any questions you have about the book!

Great information, sounds interesting

Thanks, Sean. Now I just have to hope people find it. Are there any other ways to alert people to this Q&A?

Lee,

Thanks for letting us know that you are interested in Q&A and participating in BOTM.

1. We have 3 months that would be available for a BOTM/Q&A: September, November, and December. Which one would work for you?
2. Please respond within 48 hours.
3. If you are offering any promotions on your book such as discounted pricing, kindle unlimited, or other promotions, let us know here in your Author Spotlight thread.

It will be a lot of fun to talk with you and our Members about your thriller and share reviews.

We appreciate your willingness to spend time talking with us. Once I have a response from you, I will get the BOTM threads set up.

Pam, before I answer, is there a charge for being a BOTM? My book is on KU now, and I can extend it for the remainder of the year. How much hands-on, daily input do you need from me during the month I choose?

Lee wrote: "Pam, before I answer, is there a charge for being a BOTM? My book is on KU now, and I can extend it for the remainder of the year. How much hands-on, daily input do you need from me during the mont..."

Lee, There is Never a charge for being a BOTM. Anyone who requests money is a scammer. There's not a requirement for any special offers either. Some authors offer them. Others don't.

So far, the hands-on, daily input needed for BOTMs has been limited. I believe most authors regularly check for questions and comments at least once each day or every other day, but that is up to the individual author.

Pam, I would like to do September. The only reservation I have is that I have a cruise planned beginning September 22. So, from that point forward, I won't be in touch like I will be the first 21 days of the month. If that is OK with you, then I will choose September. If that is not OK, then November. Thanks so much.

Lee wrote: "Pam, I would like to do September. The only reservation I have is that I have a cruise planned beginning September 22. So, from that point forward, I won't be in touch like I will be the first 21 d..."

Lee, I feel it would not be fair to you or the members to not have any interaction during the part of the month when many might be finishing the book. I feel November is a better fit. If you are okay with that, I will set everything up tomorrow.

Pam, Thanks for the advice. Let's do November.

Lee,

We're excited to add you to our BOTM schedule for November Schedule

We've also set up the November BOTM Q&A / Discussion thread. Please make the first comment Here.

We noticed that it is on Kindle Unlimited. That piece of information has been added to the BOTM Schedule/Offers information.

Thanks again. We're looking forward to a thrilling read.

Thanks Pam for all the work.

Good Luck Lee