[Dr. Drib]

I just finished "The Cabinet of Curiosities," an incredible read that has an amazing narrative drive.

On one level, this novel is about a serial killer who attempts (at first) to extend his own life. However, the novel - a potboiler in the best sense of the word - tackles other issues that leave room for thought. (I won't say more, because I don't want to inadvertently include any spoilers.)

In the novel, the question arises about whether one should (if one could) extend human life by...say...200 years.

Here's an interesting passage from the book:

"What about the immeasurable increase in wisdom that this discovery will bring, when you consider the one, maybe two hundred years, of additional learning and study it will afford the brilliant mind?....[Think what] Einstein could have done for humanity with a two hundred-year life span."

[Another character comments]: "The wise and good are outnumbered a thousand to one by the brutal and stupid. When you give an Einstein two centuries to perfect his science, you give a thousand others two centuries to perfect their brutality. [Ital mine.]"

This is a very interesting argument, but I'm wondering what thoughts other members have on this idea.

I must add again that this book, "The Cabinet of Curiosities," by Douglas Preston is one of the most entertaining novels I've read in years.


Don