The catastrophic eruption of Mount Tambora in 1815 not only created chaos but also transformed climates and societies across the globe. Intriguingly, this disaster inspired Mary Shelley to pen the horror classic, 'Frankenstein.' The discussion explores how such calamities have historically sparked creativity and innovation, paralleling modern challenges like the pandemic's influence on remote work. It highlights the lessons we learn about resilience during crises and the unexpected impacts on science and culture.
When Mount Tambora erupted it spewed ash across the globe; blotting out the sun; poisoning crops; and bringing starvation, illness and death to millions. It may also have helped inspire great scientific and cultural advances - including the horror masterpiece Frankenstein. How well do we adapt to catastrophe and what are the limits of our ability to weather even the worst circumstances?