Posted 8:29 AM by Gene

On THIS, the natal day of EINSTEIN'S FOURTH GREATEST ARTISTIC ACHIEVEMENT OF THE LAST QUARTER CENTURY, Facebook, as divined by Ben Jonson -- in 1606, in Volpone, and in the form of Sir Politic Wouldbe (!), a cross between LORD KISSINGER and LORD KOPPEL:

SIR P: ...This is my diary,
Wherein I note my actions of the day.

PER[EGRINE]: Pray you let's see, sir. What is here?
[READS.]
"Notandum,
A rat had gnawn my spur-leathers; notwithstanding,
I put on new, and did go forth: but first
I threw three beans over the threshold. Item,
I went and bought two tooth-picks, whereof one
I burst immediately, in a discourse
With a Dutch merchant, 'bout ragion del stato.
From him I went and paid a moccinigo,
For piecing my silk stockings; by the way
I cheapen'd sprats; and at St. Mark's I urined."
'Faith, these are politic notes!

SIR P: Sir, I do slip
No action of my life, but thus I quote it.

PER: Believe me, it is wise!

SIR P: Nay, sir, read forth.

He also anticipates conspiracy theories, conspicuous consumption, blind faith in technology and yuppies, but that's another story.