Siena College is celebrating the 200th anniversary of the publication of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein with a variety of events. Siena Philosophy Professor Ray Boisvert will talk about the book here on Monday, March 19, starting at 12:15 PM. Frankenstein is probably the most famous book on the unforeseen consequences of technological/scientific advances. 

From Professor Boisvert: “‘Frankenstein’ is about as familiar a name as one can find. Its meaning, though, is most often associated with films rather than with the novel.  This talk will focus on the novel. It will explore topics raised there, along with some contemporary manifestations.  Among them: letter writing (a lost art in an email/texting age?); creating life without women (cloning, transhumanism); the importance of touch/interpersonal contact (e-commerce, digital ordering in restaurants); ugliness/strangeness (physical deformities, immigrants).” You don’t have to read the novel to participate — but there are plenty of copies available!