994: A.J. Jacobs | The Year of Living Constitutionally

Constitutional Living

A.J. Jacobs embarked on a unique journey to experience the U.S. Constitution as it was originally intended, immersing himself in 18th-century norms. He carried a musket, wrote with a quill, and even quartered a soldier in his home to gain a deeper understanding of the document's original context 1. This experiment highlighted the stark differences between the founding era and today, such as the lack of rights for women and the less powerful Supreme Court 2. Jacobs's approach was both educational and humorous, as he noted, "I was a terrible shot, but I was able to console myself by saying, well, that's authentic. They were terrible shots back then" 3.

   

Punishment Practices

Exploring historical punishments, A.J. Jacobs delved into the 8th Amendment's "cruel and unusual punishments" clause by personally experiencing a pillory. He humorously considered using it as a parenting tool, offering his kids a choice between no Wi-Fi or five minutes in the pillory, but ultimately only tried it on himself 4. This experiment underscored the evolving interpretation of what constitutes cruel punishment, as practices like flogging and branding were once deemed acceptable 5. Jacobs's wife playfully exploited the situation, saying, "I'll let you out if you promise to fold your sweaters" 4.

   

Authentic Attire

Jacobs's commitment to authenticity extended to wearing Revolutionary War attire, including a tricorn hat, which often led to humorous misunderstandings as people mistook him for a pirate 6. His dedication to living the Constitution even led him to attempt riding a horse in Manhattan, though logistical challenges made it difficult 7. Despite these hurdles, Jacobs's year-long experiment provided a unique lens through which to view the Constitution, blending historical insight with modern-day humor.