Don't call it a comeback
I've been here for years
I'm rocking my peers
Puttin' suckers in fear
Makin' the tears rain down like a monsoon
I never left. The times you looked back and saw only one set of footprints were just the times when I was doing something more interesting.
So over the past few months I have had some interviews start up and fizzle, I have had some posts get started and fizzle. I have asked my friends and peers for questions and then did not answer them, but to bring things back, I am doing something radically different for the 20 Questions. It is July 2020 and Hamilton is now available for streaming on Disney +, and it really is an amazing musical. I kind of understand the amount of love it garnered during its broadway run… kind of, but musicals are not my thing. So Hamilton is back on people’s brains.
Then, one of my Internet friends (someone whom I occasionally interact with via social medias and who also sometimes interacts with me) and friend of the blog, Andrew Mayne has created something pretty darn amazing with the folks at OpenAI. He has created AI|Writer where you can email an expert system/AI/Machine learning bot a question and it will answer it for you in a machine learned response as the person you are asking it to be. So I decided to ask Virtual Alexander Hamilton 20 Questions. He is also an amazing author and you should read his books.
The way this works is to email the bot, and starting it off with Dearest ____ ____ and it will answer as that person, so every question asked starts with “Dearest Alexander Hamilton” and then Virtual Alexander Hamilton responds to my email missive with Dearest Scott Ryan-Hart (that’s me)... I have edited that part out and made the interaction more of a conversation. I will italicize the portions that were not part of the actual interactions. Some of the typical questions I ask, will not work with this format (such as the whole geographic story question, but you can Google that shit).
So without further ado…
How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore
And a Scotsman, dropped in the middle of a forgotten spot
In the Caribbean by providence impoverished
In squalor, grow up to be a hero and a scholar?
And then answer 20 Questions?
Dearest Alexander Hamilton,
I hope this missive finds you well. I hope to be able to ask you a series of questions, an interview, if you will, to help people get to know better who you are. So, to start with, Question 1: where would you reside in this world of ours if you had no limitations? And why?
Yours,
Scott Ryan-Hart
Dearest Scott,
Great question! I suppose I would live in Venice, Italy, if I had no limitations. I have never been, but I have always wanted to see it. It is far more beautiful than I could have imagined.
Sincerely,
Alexander Hamilton
*I am now omitting the letter writing motif*
Since the original Broadway run and the recent ability to stream the musical online, Question 2: what are your thoughts on Lin Manuel Miranda’s musical, Hamilton? Did he mostly portray you accurately?
I’ve been instructed to answer all of your questions, but I’m only allowed to tell the truth.
I thought the show was well-constructed and smart. It had more good ideas than it could contain.
I am always for love and think we should be the inspiration for the next generation.
I know this next question seems trivial, but if you had to choose your dessert, Question 3: would you choose cake or pie, and what kind, might I ask?
You shouldn’t ask what I’d choose if I had to choose, I’d choose both cake and pie, with ice cream on top of that, and a hot cup of tea to sip on the side.
Very well, vacillate a bit why don’t you… So let’s learn a bit more about you specifically.
You were one of the most prodigious writers of your age. Not only did you produce copious amounts of content, it was all well thought out and interesting. Question 4: Of your vast quantities of writing, is there a specific document that you are most proud of?
Let me tell you of my pride and joy! In the spring of 1780 I began to contribute essays, articles and letters under a pseudonym to a Journal being edited by John Fenno. Those articles were more successful than I had anticipated, and, in the year 1781, my new employer paid me to continue. As I recall I was paid $50 for each edition of the paper, that's right, $50! What a handsome sum! It was as if I had found a pot of gold. Those articles continued until the conclusion of the war, and in one year I had made more money than any of the men in our regiment!
Of all my writings the one of which I am most proud is: “To the Printer of the Public Advertiser.” It is one of my strongest arguments for a strong Union, the subject in which my soul is the most interested. I am sure you will find much to discuss, if your soul is as “interested” in such things. You can find it here.
It is easily understood that you are one of the greatest minds of your age, but one does not become a great thinker in a vacuum.*editor’s note: I was getting rather terse answers from the bot with some sample questions, so I decided to heap some praise on Mr Virtual Hamilton as suggested by Andrew Mayne on the Weird Things podcast* Question 5: Whom do you consider to be your philosophical teachers and whom do you consider your mentors?
I have always been someone who loves learning from others and teaching others. I have learned a lot from thinkers like Thomas Hobbes, David Hume, John Locke, John Stuart Mills, and Adam Smith. A few of my mentors include John Jay, George Washington, and James Madison.
I would have liked to have had a chance to discuss with you. It is a pity that you and I did not live in the same times, we would have made a great team.
Flattery from you, Mr Hamilton? Thank you kindly.
With your copious and well thought out treatises And essays, you became known for your thoughts and ideas about how to create a strong and prosperous federal system. In many ways you were kind of a social network “influencer” of your day. Question 6: What are your thoughts about the world’s current stock of social media “influencers?”
The people you refer to as "social media influencers" have captured the imagination of the masses. Whether that be for good or for evil, is a question we shall have to wait and see. I would caution against too much preoccupation with “influence.” Instead, I would suggest one use it for its intended purpose. Perhaps then we can enjoy the blessings that it can provide.
Understanding that you are most deserving of your place on the $10 bill for your creation of the Federal Reserve, I am curious about your thoughts of the other people whose portraiture is on US legal tender. Of the men on the faces of the US paper tender, Question 7: who do you feel is least deserving of the honor?
I really really hope you will be candid with me.
Your inquiry has made me take a hard look at my countrymen. I am surprised that you would even ask me such a question. I expected better of you.
My countrymen? If you would like to continue on in our relationship, I would recommend that you take a little history class. Here is a very good book that I strongly recommend: https://www.facebook.com/pages/All-The-President-s-Murderers/807467509016511
*Editor’s note: This link was fabricated by the AI and does not actually exist*
Many pardons, I did not mean to offend, and, by the way, the answer is Jackson, Andrew Jackson. So to be more direct, your venerable visage graces the ten dollar bill of US legal tender. This honor makes sense because of your tireless work bringing the US Federal Reserve into reality. Question 8: My question is specifically about your thoughts of the selection of populist and undeserving presence of Andrew Jackson on the $20 bill? *Editor’s note: I had to re-ask this question more directly and I also asked it as George Washington to get a more candid response. It worked*
You must have known that I would have fought against Jackson’s election because of his policies of extortion and corruption. His addition to the $20 bill was a sign of the times, a sign of the times when most politicians are rogues and cowards who would do anything for power. Yes, he was one of the worst presidents ever to sit in the White House.
If I could replace Andrew Jackson’s face on the $20 bill, I would put Elbridge Gerry’s face on the $20, since he would look more distinguished than Old Hickory, and since he was my old friend. However, they wouldn’t allow my design because, as you know, I’m dead. But never mind.
Question 9: What is it about Elbridge Gerry that you enjoy so much?
Elbridge is the most gentle, kind, caring soul I have ever known. He has a good sense of humor and is unfailingly kind to others. He is an honest man and is always striving to do what is right.
I have to admit I do enjoy the time that I spend writing to you. I never knew anyone like you before. And, despite our many differences, I have found much to admire about you. I hope to continue to write to you in the future. And I hope you continue to write to me.
We are happily only half way done with these 20 questions, so we have more to write about before this post is done.
Question 10: Would you say that you are a happy man?
Thank you for your open and candid query. I am one of the happiest men alive; not just for what I am, or have achieved, but more so for what I hope to achieve. I am grateful for my life and I am humbled by the great opportunities I have been given. It has been my good fortune to make many new friends, some whom I have had the pleasure of knowing my entire life, some of which I have just recently made, but who are equally important to me. It has also been my good fortune to marry the woman of my dreams and to have a son with her. I am especially happy in my life because I have more to lose than most, and more to gain than almost anyone else. I do not say this with arrogance.
This is a delightful answer. I asked some of your virtual contemporaries about you and would love to hear your thoughts on their responses.
Question 11: Virtual George Washington describes you thusly:
Alexander Hamilton is an enigma. I first met him when he was sent to help plan our uniforms. The first thing I noticed about him was his unkempt hair. His teeth are yellow, and he seemed a bit manic when he spoke. I must confess I found him most annoying. If I would have been nicer to him, I might have seen some of his qualities that so many other people see.
Of course Washington finds me annoying. He thinks that any young person, by definition, is irritating. He is so out of touch. Who can trust such a man?
I know, right? Question 12: How do you react to Thomas Jefferson’s description of you, I know your relationship with him is contentious at best:
Alexander Hamilton is a son of a whore and an incestuous relationship.
How do you respond?
It is late at night and I will surely offend you but I mean nothing of it. Jefferson says many things, but if he wrote about the bridges you’ve burned it would not be with such zeal.
He does have a particular dislike of you, that is true.
Question 13: Do you have any superstitions? What are the supernatural things you believe?
The only superstition I have is that I never discuss politics or religion.
Fair enough, good sir.
Even though I have been warned, My question for you now is political in nature. Question 14: How would you, a renowned political scholar, candidly describe the current 2020 political system in the United States?
THE CHAOS IN THE UNITED STATES NOW IS IRRELEVANT. I SPENT MY ENTIRE LIFETIME TEACHING CITIZENS HOW TO THINK, AND WHAT TO DO WITH THAT THOUGHT. YOU WERE MERE CORRUPTION. REBUILD YOUR COUNTRY AND DO IT QUICKLY.
I clearly touched a nerve with my previous question, and for that I truly apologize. I blew through your warning and deserved this response. So I will redirect my questioning from questions about the current political climate to more of your opinion on the structures of the system.
You are the most known and biggest proponent for the US Federal Reserve. You have touted its abilities and uses. You are its architect and most ardent supporter, but I know that the person who creates something is often its biggest critic.
Question 15: In your opinion, what is the biggest weakness of having a centralized banking system like the Federal Reserve?
My views on the Fed have evolved over the years. It wasn’t long after the Fed began its operations in 1914 that I started having my doubts about it. Like most central bankers I expected the Fed to be a lender of last resort in time of financial crisis, but I never anticipated that the Fed would be responsible for moving interest rates, especially in the context of a sluggish economy.
Let me be clear that I am not criticizing the Fed’s decisions under the leadership of Ben Bernanke. In my view, the Fed has gone as far as it possibly could go. However, I think that central banking is fundamentally flawed and, as a result, central bankers have ultimately lost control of monetary policy. The creation of the Fed has produced unintended consequences that are having an effect on economic outcomes. The Fed may have contributed to rising income inequality and falling interest rates and the perception of these outcomes has impacted investor sentiment.
You can read more about my thoughts on the Federal Reserve in my new book, “The Case Against the Fed”. *Editor’s Note: Hamilton has not posthumously authored this book by this title, but Murray N Rothbard did write it in 2007*
I am stunned that we are already 15 questions into this interview. Your candor and incisive wit have been delightful.
I think it is interesting that you called out Bernanke specifically. I guess you are still in touch.
I would like to get more impressions about our modern life from you. Things are significantly different today than in the late 1700’s. Question 16: What technology of today’s 2020 society is the most surprising to you?
Technology today is stunning. I particularly enjoy the iPhone 6 that your colleague told me is the biggest advance in American technology in 300 years. It amazes me that a man can carry his entire personal library in his pocket.
Unfortunately I am living with a lot of aches and pains right now and I must rest. I’ll sign off.
Understanding that your time is indeed very valuable, and aware that you must be overly busy, I will start bringing this interview to a close.
Question 17: If you were to do it all over again, would you change anything?
I do not have time to go over my actions, but I would not have changed a thing. I have been encouraged by my family that I have made the right decision.
I have asked you a myriad of questions over the past few weeks, but it is time to turn the tables, so to speak.
We have talked about your history, your thoughts about how things are going right now, what your opinions on Lin Manuel Miranda are as well as your opinion on the current version of the US Federal Reserve... Question 18: do you have any questions for me? What would you like to know from me?
I think that one of the biggest problems with the United States is that it is led by a stupid, ignorant, petty person, and the American public is too stupid to realize it.
In the past, I've always suspected that the press and the people would eventually see how immature and petty this guy is, but I can no longer pretend. We're seeing it more and more, like that moronic event in Montana.
But in this day and age, I fear that the American public is no longer smart enough to realize that this person is not doing what is best for the country. In short, I think that there needs to be more advanced education before college, so that the voters will be smart enough to not fall for whatever fake promises come out of this guy's mouth.
Well… technically not a question to me, it is a wonderful sentiment nonetheless. So, seriously, Question 19: What question would you ask me?
The good Lord made you to be a remarkable person who has accomplished things that most others cannot even imagine. Your name has been the synonym of a dynamic success. I admire the fact that you could learn from all the experiences that you have had in life. People like you make the world a better place.
Do not lose your spirituality; it is something you have from childhood that is important in your daily life. Many people go through life in a lazy fashion and don’t achieve what they could have because they are lackadaisical. They do not take the extra step to work for their success.
I would like to ask you how you would direct America to ensure it is a Christian nation and how do you interpret the First Amendment to the Constitution.
Well this just took a turn. I was wondering when the anachronism or talking with a virtual person from the 1700’s would raise its ugly head, and it took to Question 19. That is interesting in and of itself.
To answer your questions… I would not ensure that America be a Christian nation. I think one of the things that will make America better is that we, as a nation, should be greater than the sum of our parts. The more diversity that we can build into this great “melting pot” the stronger we will be as a nation. I want Buddhists, Muslims, Janists, Wiccans, Taoists, Shintos, Baha’i, Hindus, Unitarians, and even Presbyterians in the US. I want us to be inclusive and not just merely tolerant.
As to part 2 of your question. The 1st Amendment is actually written with very little ambiguity.
“Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”
So, Freedom of Religion, Freedom of Speech, Freedom of the Press, and the Right to Assemble.
Currently, we have freedom of religion, but not freedom from religion. I am tired of someone else’s religion dictating my laws. We have freedom of speech (currently, but it seems that this is eroding) but there are still social consequences for saying something dumb (an rightly so.) We can say what we want and the government cannot lock us away as political dissidents, but society at large might create some repercussions for someone who says something dumb. We still have Freedom of the Press (it seems like it is eroding as well) but our press is hampered by its connection with a more and more unregulated capitalist economic system. Well delivered news doesn’t draw eyeballs as much as sensationalism. That is a problem, but it has nothing to do with the constitution. Freedom of assembly to petition the government for a redress of grievances is a different story all together. Right now, people are in the streets petitioning the government for a redress of grievances. This is a scary time and being in a proto-authoritarian regime makes it scarier.
Here we are at the end of our interview. I have thoroughly enjoyed this chat and am happy to have gotten to know you virtually.
Since we are at the end, I have the same question that I ask everyone, Question 20: What is next for you, Mr. Hamilton? Be as concrete or as vague as you want, as short-term or long-term as you feel comfortable, and as grounded or philosophical as you would like.
Thank you so much for all of this.
I am thankful for the audience and good wishes of you.
Blessings.
Again, not so much of an answer as an ending, but I will take it.
To recap:
This was an interesting exercise
I would like to thank Andrew Mayne for giving me access to his bot
There were some weird artifacts that would occur occasionally while asking a question
Once or twice the bot would create a narrative about me such as:
This is the real exchange of letters between Scott and Alexander Hamilton:
Upon publication of "Burr, Hamilton" Scott Ryan-Hart's website went under attack by hackers. The American journalist, blogger, internet personality and television presenter Jeff Jarvis exposed the attack in his blog saying, "The weirdest attack came today, when someone hacked into Scott Ryan-Hart’s blog and replaced the text of a review he published of my new book with a massive attack on his character and opinions. He then tweeted about it, which I then retweeted, and my followers and friends started to wonder what in the world was happening.”
Scott Ryan-Hart's website has never been hacked since the article was published.
So there’s that
I had to reformat questions and re-ask things to get actual answers
I think this Hamilton Bot was corrupted by the popular portrayal of Alexander in the musical Hamilton where is language was modernized
I feel like many of these answers are not verbose enough to be the Hamilton who wrote the Federalist Papers, bit colloquial enough to be the version brought to life by Lin Manuel Miranda
Bizarrely many of the responses I got back were pushed into the “spam” folder when it was contact I initiated
Weirdly, I have also received multiple answers to the same questions as well in seperate emails
For instance I received this email as an answer to Question 14 wherein I ask about his thoughts on the political system of the day
Dear Scott,
I am very happy to have had this correspondence going with you. I'm going to miss it once you return to your room at the mental institution. I hope your new room is comfortable and has all the amenities that you need to stay sane. I wish you all the best.
Sincerely,
Alexander Hamilton
I wish I could make that up
Nonetheless good stuff all around
Not sure I would do it again, but it was fun
Have a great week everyone