Day 150 in MIT Sloan Fellows Class 2023, Choice point 9 "Frankenstein"

Frankenstein (Penguin Classics)

Story

Frankenstein, or The Modern Prometheus, is a novel written by Mary Shelley, first published in 1818. It tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist who becomes obsessed with the idea of creating life from inanimate matter. Through his experiments, he successfully creates a living creature, but the result is a grotesque and monstrous being. Horrified by his creation, Victor abandons the creature, setting off a chain of events that leads to tragedy and despair for both the creator and his creation.

The creature, abandoned and alone, struggles to find his place in the world and understand his own existence. He eventually learns to read and speak, and he tries to approach humans for companionship but is rejected due to his monstrous appearance. This rejection drives the creature to seek revenge against his creator for bringing him into a cruel and unloving world.

Throughout the novel, themes of ambition, responsibility, the pursuit of knowledge, and the dangers of playing God are explored. The story is told through a series of letters and narratives, primarily from the perspectives of Victor Frankenstein and the creature. The novel is often considered one of the first examples of science fiction and has had a significant influence on the genre. It is also seen as a cautionary tale about the limits of human knowledge and the potential consequences of unchecked scientific ambition.

How to deal with technology disruption and ethical dilemma?

1. Consider ethical implications: When developing new technologies, it is crucial to reflect on the potential ethical implications and consequences of their deployment. Researchers and innovators should be aware of the possible impacts on society, the environment, and individuals, and strive to minimize harm.
2. Collaboration and diverse perspectives: Technological development should involve collaboration among stakeholders with diverse perspectives and expertise. By including a wide range of voices, it is more likely that potential risks and ethical issues will be identified and addressed effectively.
3. Responsibility and accountability: Researchers, developers, and organizations should take responsibility for the technologies they create and their potential consequences. This includes implementing measures to ensure the responsible use of these technologies and being accountable for any unintended negative outcomes.
4. Balance ambition and caution: While ambition drives innovation, it is essential to balance it with caution and a thorough evaluation of potential risks. Pursuing knowledge and innovation without considering the possible consequences can lead to disastrous outcomes, as exemplified by Victor Frankenstein's actions.
5. Public engagement and education: To promote responsible technological development and use, it is essential to engage the public and educate them about the potential benefits, risks, and ethical dilemmas associated with new technologies. This fosters a more informed and inclusive dialogue, which can help guide ethical decision-making and policy development.
6. Adaptability and ongoing evaluation: As technology evolves and its impacts become more apparent, it is crucial to continually reassess and adapt policies, regulations, and practices to address emerging ethical concerns and ensure responsible development and use.

Technology itself is neutral. The issue is how to use it and control it. 

Technology itself is neutral, and its impact on society largely depends on how it is used and managed by human beings. Indeed, technological advancements like nuclear technology and AI have the potential to bring about significant benefits, such as improved medical treatments, more efficient energy sources, and enhanced decision-making capabilities.

Involving individuals with diverse expertise and perspectives in the development and management of technology is crucial. By fostering a collaborative and multidisciplinary approach, researchers and technology developers can ensure that potential risks and ethical concerns are addressed proactively, while maximizing the positive impacts of their innovations.

Open source is a prime example of how collaboration and transparency can lead to better, more responsible technology development. By making the source code and underlying processes accessible to a wide range of individuals and organizations, open source projects can benefit from diverse perspectives, expertise, and ideas, resulting in more robust and ethically sound technologies.

That's why I feel some potential in LLMs by Facebook.

ai.facebook.com

On the other hand,the way researchers and society react to emergency situations caused by technology is crucially important. Victor Frankenstein's immediate response to flee after seeing his creation highlights the potential consequences of failing to manage such situations responsibly.

Two contemporary examples further illustrate the significance of proper reactions in emergency situations:

1. Fukushima nuclear power plant disaster: In 2011, a massive earthquake and tsunami led to a nuclear meltdown at the Fukushima Daiichi power plant in Japan. The emergency response was critical in mitigating the disaster's effects. Teams of workers risked their lives to stabilize the reactors, and the government took decisive action to evacuate residents from the surrounding areas. While mistakes were made during the response, the overall effort to manage the emergency showcased the importance of swift, coordinated, and responsible action in the face of a technological crisis.
2. AI emergency stop button: The concept of an AI emergency stop button is designed to provide a means of controlling AI systems in case they become dangerous or exhibit unintended behaviors. This safety mechanism underscores the importance of having contingency plans and the ability to intervene when technological emergencies arise. By being prepared to act decisively and responsibly, researchers and society can prevent or minimize the harmful consequences of technological failures or unexpected behaviors. This concept was proposed by a researcher in DeepMind.

Everyone can be the lonely creature

The creature's crucial failure is its inability to control its emotions and the resulting destructive actions driven by its feelings of rejection, loneliness, and despair. While it's essential to acknowledge that the creature's suffering and isolation were primarily caused by Victor Frankenstein's abandonment and society's rejection, the creature's response ultimately exacerbates its own plight. After killing a child accidentally, the creature becomes a true monster not only with appearance but also with mindset.

The responsibility is partially in Mr Frankestein and society as well.Society also bears some responsibility for the events that unfold in Frankenstein. The creature's monstrous appearance leads to its rejection, isolation, and eventual descent into violence. While the creature demonstrates intelligence, empathy, and a desire to connect with others, society's unwillingness to look beyond its external appearance exacerbates its suffering. A more compassionate and inclusive approach could have potentially prevented the tragic chain of events that took place. 

Key takeaways

Shelley’s novel holds profound lessons for us as a society and as individuals concerning (a) our responsibilities as "creators" (of new technologies, new enterprises, new human beings...), and (b) the importance of human connection and empathy as a foundation for any moral consciousness.

Victor, the Creature, and the people the Creature met along his travels all displayed very natural, human responses, and yet at one point or another they each failed to think about the consequences their actions would have for others—and that was when they gave into the worst of their human instincts and became "monsters" toward one another. Simply put, it is our choice whether we want to live up to the best of our human instincts or give in to the worst, and our responsibility to strive always for the former.

It teaches that the way to stay connected with the most beautiful aspects of our humanity is to stay connected, period—that is, we should never forget the value of human connection; never forget how important it is that we acknowledge our shared humanity and the responsibilities we have to one another, no matter our differences. There are the risks of isolation and rejection of others again and again in this novel (e.g., in Victor’s cutting himself off from others during his R&D process; in his refusal to tell others about the Creature and seek their advice on what to do; in his and society’s rejection of the Creature).

1. Responsibility and ethics: The novel emphasizes the importance of considering the ethical implications of one's work and the responsibility that comes with creating something new. For researchers and business leaders, this means being aware of the potential consequences of their innovations and taking necessary steps to minimize harm.

2. Unintended consequences: The story of Frankenstein serves as a reminder that even well-intentioned pursuits can have unintended and potentially disastrous consequences. This underscores the importance of thorough risk assessment, and being prepared to address potential issues as they arise.

3. The human factor: The novel highlights the importance of empathy and understanding when dealing with the consequences of one's work. For founders and business leaders, this can translate into prioritizing the well-being of employees, customers, and society at large, and fostering a culture of compassion and collaboration within their organizations.

4. The limits of ambition: Frankenstein serves as a cautionary tale about the dangers of unchecked ambition and the pursuit of knowledge without considering the potential consequences. Business leaders and researchers should maintain a balance between their ambitions and the possible ramifications of their actions.

5. The importance of reflection: The novel encourages introspection and reflection, urging individuals to question the potential impact of their decisions and actions. For researchers, founders, and business leaders, this means regularly re-evaluating their goals, methods, and progress, and being open to change when necessary.