Geoffrey wrote: ↑Wed Dec 03, 2025 1:26 am
LisaLCFan wrote:
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I have never actually read Mary Shelley's Frankenstein -- I plan to remedy that in the near future!
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getting a copy should be easy, as there are many editions of varying quality...
Indeed, it was easy to procure a copy, and I have just finished reading Mary Shelley's 1818 version of Frankenstein. (I had not previously known that there were two versions: the one I read, and a revised edition that Shelley published in 1931.)
The book was thought-provoking, more so than I expected. It seems as though humanity has not changed very much, if at all, in the intervening 200+ years -- there is still so much intolerance and cruelty towards those judged and/or found to be different. People are condemned for things that shouldn't matter, while those who condemn them are blind to the goodness and beauty and love and gentleness that exist within those they hate. Irrational prejudices harden the hearts and dull the minds of far too many people.
Unfortunately, as with Frankenstein's creation, some of those who are despised and attacked for who they are (or, for who they are not) react with anger and hatred and violence against those who wish to destroy them. Others who are shunned, who possess no malice, may simply retreat, or perhaps quietly protest, deeply saddened and disappointed by the thoughtless depravity of their fellow humans, but lacking the disposition to fight back with the kind of ignorant brutality exhibited by the unenlightened.
And, of course, the the cautionary tale within Shelley's novel -- about the overly ambitious who use science and power to create things without thinking about whether they should, and/or without considering all of the potential consequences, and/or without taking or accepting responsibility for their actions and their creations -- is as relevant today as it was in 1818. How different, really, is AI and the possibility of creating a sentient being comprised of non-biological bits and pieces, from Frankenstein's sentient being, made from biological bits and pieces? Certainly many of the current generation's science fiction about AI is nothing more than a modern retelling of Mary Shelley's story, often including creations who turn against their selfish and arrogant creators, and who are sadly more cruel than those who made them, ultimately embodying the worst of humanity, instead of the best, just like Frankenstein's creature.
Reading Shelley's book engendered many of the usual thoughts and feelings that I experience from reading anything of an historical nature, be it fiction or nonfiction: there seems to be an immutable human nature that has prevailed throughout recorded history, such that the same (or similar) trials and tribulations, hopes and dreams, satisfactions and disappointments, comforts and anguish, excesses and deficiencies, abuses and kindnesses, actions and inactions, joys and sorrows, fears and confidences, etc., accompany every generation. The minor details may change, the circumstances of time and external society may differ, but what remains almost identical are the hearts and minds of people, destined to repeat the same mistakes and to suffer the same hardships, but also to experience the same joys and to cherish the same beautiful things, as all those who came before them.
There is both hope and despair in my reflections and contemplations, recognising, as I do, the seeming invariability of people (for better and for worse). But mainly, I feel resignation (almost to the point of apathy), for although it is my most fervent wish that humanity were capable of great, positive evolution in intelligence, enlightenment, and spirit, there is far too much evidence to convince me that that will never happen, and that humanity will continue down the very same paths that it has always trodden. Of course, there have always been and will likely always be a few rare individuals who follow or create their own paths, and who may even provide occasional sources of immense light (or of immense darkness), but on the whole, I suspect that not much will change for our species, as long as we may exist, for I have absolutely no reason to believe otherwise.
It is as it is, I think it's fair to say, and it is probably futile to expect any significant change to occur. It is profoundly unfortunate that there is, in this world, so much gloom, most of which has been created by the hands and actions of humans, but to dwell on such things, beyond justifiable feelings of compassion or disgust for my fellow humans where applicable, is not a pastime that I wish to indulge to any great degree, for I am not of a negative or pessimistic disposition (despite being a realist. One can acknowledge miseries without wallowing in them). Alas, such things do distress me from time to time, when I let them in to my sanctuary, but that is something over which I do have some control, and I do not -- and will not -- allow them to be constant companions, for my own sake and preservation.
Therefore, the best course of action, at least for me, is to focus on that over which I do have some (perceived) control (bearing in mind that free-will may be nothing but an illusion, however, it is one to which I shall cling, regardless of its veracity!), to change what I can, and to accept what I cannot. It is also highly preferable to attend to and cherish the positive and beautiful things in this world, whether made by or originating in humans, or found amongst the splendour of (nonhuman) nature, and I certainly endeavour to do that as often and as much as possible! That really ought to include avoiding reading and watching things like Frankenstein, which only serve to turn my thoughts to things that are not conducive to the peace and tranquillity that I crave and require.
Those are my deliberations for the day. I wish everyone a good weekend! Cheers!
). I am certain that we quoted Leonard's actual line (but not Michael's play on words) as we began drinking them. That was a great night!