17. The Making of a Monster

What happens when human curiosity goes too far?In this episode, we explore Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein alongside Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 film adaptation, unpacking a story with timeless resonance. We dive into the nature of suffering, the ethics of creation, and the danger of playing God through the lens of Victor Frankenstein, the scientist-alchemist driven by forbidden knowledge.From the consequences of unchecked ambition to the question of whether evil is created or learned, we examine how abandonment, responsibility, and power shape both monster and maker. Finally, we connect Frankenstein to modern fears about AI sentience. If we create sentient intelligence, will we reject it the way Victor rejected his creation?And if we do—what comes next?Episode Resources & Easter Eggs:Episode CastCheck out Prometheus, the guy pecked for giving us fire.Learn about Mary Shelley, the godmother of sci-fi.Meet Mary Shelley’s mom, Mary Wollstonecraft.Guess who? Elphaba! (+2 to belt out your fav Wicked tune.)Google Jacob Elordi as the creature and tell us if you think he’s hot (+1).Episode LibraryRead Frankenstein for free (no forbidden knowledge here!)Take a photo of Susan Sontag’s On Photography.Confused about camp? Learn a few things.Electricity and you: explore The Invisible Rainbow. Fans of comics unite! Check out the Technopriests.Watch Some StuffTHE gothic adaptation of Frankenstein we all needed. Are mechanical warlords the future? Find out in Terminator.Watch the iconic camp film, Rocky Horror Picture Show (+5 to reenact).Is Earth a planet held in someone’s hand? Horton Hears a Who may have answers.Learn Some StuffMix some stuff together and let’s call it alchemy.Draw a snake eating its own tail (ouroboros). Prana, Sanskrit for “breath” or “life force” (Not to be confused with The Force.)I know a few things about physics. Type in the Hadron Collider and you will, too.Learn about EMF radiation (yay!)Bonus points to discover the magic of camp on a camping trip (+10).Repeat Characters:I’m pointing the way!! (to Dune).At some point, Jung will get more than a show note.It’s our favorite book! (David Hawkins’ Map of Consciousness)Click the links above to explore the magic. Follow the Magic on Instagram & TikTok