Student Article

Have you ever wondered what would happen if Frankenstein's monster was real?

A monster's wish

Frankenstein's monster, one of the most terrifying creations in literary history, has inspired countless films and Halloween costumes. In Mary Shelley's 1818 novel, the monster is described as having yellow skin and being very strong. He demands that Victor Frankenstein create a mate for him, arguing that he deserves happiness. Victor ultimately refuses and destroys the mate before she is completed.

Imagining a world with monsters

Two biologists imagined what would happen if Victor had agreed and the monsters went to live in South America. They would compete with humans for food, water, and other resources. Over time, the monsters would outcompete humans, leading to our extinction.

A scary simulation

Using human population densities from 1816, the researchers created a mathematical model. They calculated that a founding population of two creatures could drive humans to extinction in as little as 4,000 years. This would occur due to the creatures competing with humans for resources, ultimately leading to our demise. This concept is known as "competitive exclusion."

A new kind of story

This research highlights Mary Shelley's genius in repackaging scientific and philosophical ideas to invent a whole new genre: science fiction. Thankfully, Frankenstein's monster is a fictional character, so we don't have to worry about this scenario happening in real life!

© James Lloyd / Our Media