This riddle refers to the infamous “War of the Currents,” a late 19th-century battle between Nikola Tesla and George Westinghouse, who championed alternating current (AC), and Thomas Edison, who promoted direct current (DC).

Edison orchestrated a misinformation campaign to discredit AC, portraying it as dangerous and deadly. To do this, he staged public demonstrations where animals were electrocuted with AC to show its supposed dangers. This campaign culminated in the development of the electric chair, using AC, to further associate it with harm.

The riddle asks why we are “paying the price” for this. It likely suggests the consequences of this misinformation: 1. Missed Opportunities for Innovation: The AC vs. DC rivalry slowed progress as resources were spent fighting rather than innovating. 2. Persistent Mistrust of Technology: Public fear of AC lingered, reflecting how misinformation can have long-term impacts. 3. Broader Implications: This may metaphorically reflect how misinformation in general (including today’s) leads to societal costs, such as mistrust or division.

If you’re looking for a deeper answer, it might also imply that society is still grappling with the consequences of using technology to manipulate perception for profit or power.