Recode Decode: Jeanette Winterson

Jan 15, 2020

Jeanette Winterson, a celebrated author known for her innovative works like "Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit," shares her insights. She discusses her latest novel, "Frankissstein: A Love Story," which weaves together themes of technology, identity, and the legacy of Mary Shelley. Winterson poses thought-provoking questions about the ethics of artificial life and the emotional connections people form with machines. The conversation also touches on the intersection of gender fluidity and technology, urging us to consider tech's role in shaping humanity's future.

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ANECDOTE

Turing's Legacy

Alan Turing, a key figure in computing, worked at Bletchley Park and later at the University of Manchester.
His colleague, Jack Good, coined the phrase "our final invention" in 1965, predicting the rise of superior AI.

INSIGHT

Shelley's Vision

Mary Shelley's Frankenstein is about more than a monster; it explores education's impact and humanity's role.
Shelley's focus on education and the monster's lack thereof foreshadows the importance of educating AI.

INSIGHT

Shelley's Inspiration

Mary Shelley's vision of technology stemmed from witnessing the Industrial Revolution and early experiments with electricity.
She observed both the potential of machines and the dehumanizing aspects of reducing humans to body parts in service of these machines.

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The machine

a hot team, a legendary season, and a heart-stopping World Series : the story of the 1975 Cincinnati Reds

Joe Posnanski

In 'The Machine', Joe Posnanski chronicles the 1975 season of the Cincinnati Reds, often referred to as the Big Red Machine. The book delves into the larger-than-life personalities of players like Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, and Johnny Bench, as well as other key team members such as Tony Perez, Davey Concepcion, and Ken Griffey Sr. Posnanski explores the team's dominant performance throughout the season and their dramatic World Series against the Boston Red Sox, particularly the epic Game 6. The book humanizes the players and provides insights into their motivations, struggles, and the team's overall dynamic under manager Sparky Anderson.

Frankenstein

Mary Shelley

Written in epistolary form, the novel tells the story of Victor Frankenstein, a brilliant and ambitious scientist who, driven by Enlightenment-era ideas of progress and science, creates a living being from dead body parts. However, upon seeing the creature come to life, Frankenstein is horrified and abandons it. The creature, shunned by society due to its appearance, seeks revenge against its creator, leading to a series of tragic events. The novel explores themes of guilt, loss, and the emotional and moral consequences of scientific hubris, blending elements of Gothic and Romantic literature.

Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit

Jeanette Winterson

Oranges Are Not the Only Fruit is a semi-autobiographical novel that follows Jeanette, a young girl raised by a Pentecostal family in England. As she navigates her adolescence, Jeanette confronts her own desires and the strictures of her community, leading to a journey of self-discovery and exploration of identity. The novel explores themes of religion, love, and the challenges of growing up different.

Frankissstein

Jeanette Winterson

Jeanette Winterson's 'Frankissstein' is a bold novel that intertwines the story of Mary Shelley's 'Frankenstein' with modern themes of AI, transhumanism, and queer love. The book explores the intersection of technology and humanity through the characters of Ry Shelley, a transgender doctor, and Victor Stein, a scientist pushing the boundaries of AI. It delves into questions of identity, creation, and the future of human existence.