Author Dr. Bob Curran discussed various types of man-made monsters, both in history and folklore, as well as current technological advances leading to the creation of an army of "unstoppable" soldiers. These soldiers might adapt to any extreme environment, with their brains chemically altered to not feel pain or fear, or their thoughts manipulated through a microchip. We are creating a monster for defense, yet the obverse side is we are creating a monster that could turn against us, he cautioned.
In looking at Mary Shelley's famous tale, Frankenstein, he detailed how she was inspired by a scientist of her day, Giovanni Aldini, who experimented with electricity, which was then considered a somewhat mysterious process. He experimented with corpses, and "believed that a body which had been dead for a [short] time, could be kickstarted again," said Curran. In an earlier era, alchemists searched for a seed from which a man could be grown like a plant, and some said they'd actually succeeded at this, he added.
Curran shared the story of the Golem, the Jewish legend of a being created from inanimate matter. One such man of clay was said to lumber through the streets of Prague, at the command of a Rabbi, protecting Jews from Anti-Semites. But according to legend, if the Golem was kept in existence for too long, it would become autonomous and out of control. He also touched on tales of ancient robots, the Templars find of a bronze head that could offer prophecies, and American folklore about the 'Melon Heads,' beings said to be genetically created from children in orphanages.
Tips for Healthy Living
First hour guest, author and motivational speaker Susan Smith Jones talked about her new book, The Joy Factor, which features various practices to remain healthy and youthful. Natural remedies like astragalus root help fortify the immune system, she noted, while combating stress via relaxation can reduce or eliminate illnesses.
News segment guest: Steve Kates "Dr. Sky"