--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: I think our grandparents were Victor…" description: "\"I think our grandparents were Victor Frankenstein. I basically am the kind of deeply unnatural creature that Mrs Shelley instinctively dreaded. I not o..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec7/bruce-sterling-3596_cows_i-think-our-grandparents-were-victor-fra_2012760.png" --- # I think our grandparents were Victor Frankenstein. I… ![“I think our grandparents were Victor Frankenstein. I basically am the kind of deeply unnatural creature that Mrs Shelley instinctively dreaded. I not only eat her sacred cows but I eat them with ketchup. While I take her point, I think that transgressive monstrosity and tampering with the life…” quote by Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec7/bruce-sterling-3596_cows_i-think-our-grandparents-were-victor-fra_2012760.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec7/bruce-sterling-3596_cows_i-think-our-grandparents-were-victor-fra_2012760.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/ec7/bruce-sterling-3596_cows_i-think-our-grandparents-were-victor-fra_2012760.png) > “I think our grandparents were Victor Frankenstein. I basically am the kind of deeply unnatural creature that Mrs Shelley instinctively dreaded. I not only eat her sacred cows but I eat them with ketchup. While I take her point, I think that transgressive monstrosity and tampering with the life force are both a lot more fun than she suspected.” [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He likens himself to a modern Frankenstein, embracing taboo creativity and playful subversion of norms. **In simple terms:** Modern Frankenstein embraces taboo creativity. Key Takeaway Embrace bold, unconventional creativity. Themes creativity transgression innovation Mood provocative introspective Type philosophical inspirational When to use this quote - artistic projects - tech experiments - cultural critique - subversive design Key Concepts post‑humanism literary rebellion Questions to Reflect On - What risks accompany transgressive art? - How can you balance shock with meaning? A Different Perspective Such rebellion can alienate traditional audiences. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Cows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cows/) [Creature Mrs](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creature-mrs-3603303/) [Creatures](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/creatures/) [Force](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/force/) [Frankenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frankenstein/) [Frankenstein Basically](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/frankenstein-basically-3603302/) [Fun](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fun/) [Grandparent](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grandparent/) [Grandparents Victor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/grandparents-victor-3603304/) [Ketchup](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/ketchup/) [Kind](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/kind/) [Monstrosity](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/monstrosity/) [Sacred](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacred/) [Sacred cows](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sacred-cows/) [Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shelley/) [Thinking](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thinking/) [Unnatural](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/unnatural/) [Victor Frankenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/victor-frankenstein-228572/) ## Related quotes > [Hamlet and Victor Frankenstein are each obsessed with death. Hamlet's whole story is a philosophical preparation for death; Victor's is an intellectual refusal to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-branagh/hamlet-and-victor-frankenstein-are-each-obsessed-with-death-hamlet-s/) [Kenneth Branagh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-branagh/) > [“You seek for knowledge and wisdom, as I once did; and I ardently hope that the gratification of your wishes may not be a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-shelley/you-seek-for-knowledge-and-wisdom-as-i-once-did-and-i-ardently-hope-2/) [Mary Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-shelley/) > [We are fashioned creatures, but half made up. - Victor Frankenstein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/we-are-fashioned-creatures-but-half-made-up-victor-frankenstein/) [Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-wollstonecraft-shelley/) > [“I thank you, Walton," he said, "for your kind intentions towards to miserable a wretch; but when you speak of new ties and fresh…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mary-shelly/i-thank-you-walton-he-said-for-your-kind-intentions-towards-to/) [Mary Shelly](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mary-shelly/) > [“If she can bite a vulture, she can jump a crack. ~Victor Frankenstein”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/kenneth-oppel/if-she-can-bite-a-vulture-she-can-jump-a-crack-victor-frankenstein/) [Kenneth Oppel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/kenneth-oppel/) > [Science is not a sacred cow. Science is a horse. Don’t worship it. Feed it. \[Addressing a group of prospective contributors to an Israeli…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/abba-eban/science-is-not-a-sacred-cow-science-is-a-horse-don-t-worship-it-feed/) [Abba Eban](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/abba-eban/) > [Irreverence is our only sacred cow.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/paul-krassner/irreverence-is-our-only-sacred-cow/) [Paul Krassner](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/paul-krassner/) > [So, this is my plea to all Western editors and producers: Display the Muhammad cartoon daily, until the Islamists become accustomed to the fact…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/daniel-pipes/so-this-is-my-plea-to-all-western-editors-and-producers-display-the/) [Daniel Pipes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/daniel-pipes/) > [Everyone now has a sacred cow in the tax code. For my money, the most sacred thing of all is our country and its…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ari-fleischer/everyone-now-has-a-sacred-cow-in-the-tax-code-for-my-money-the-most/) [Ari Fleischer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ari-fleischer/) > [Questioning the status quo can result in banishment, imprisonment, ridicule or being burned at the stake, depending on your era, your locale, and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gene-spafford/questioning-the-status-quo-can-result-in-banishment-imprisonment/) [Gene Spafford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gene-spafford/) > [Because of these new car models there is suddenly on the streets of Delhi a new intolerance by the motorists for both the cows…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/vandana-shiva/because-of-these-new-car-models-there-is-suddenly-on-the-streets-of/) [Vandana Shiva](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/vandana-shiva/) > [...I am afraid that education is conceived more in terms of indoctrination by most school officials than in terms of enlightenment. My own belief…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bertrand-russell/i-am-afraid-that-education-is-conceived-more-in-terms-of/) [Bertrand Russell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bertrand-russell/) > [Sacred cows make the best hamburger.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-twain/sacred-cows-make-the-best-hamburger/) [Mark Twain](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-twain/) > [“This is said to civilized men who are to venture into countries where sacred cows are fed, while children are left to starve -…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/this-is-said-to-civilized-men-who-are-to-venture-into-countries-where/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [The velocity of light occupies an extraordinary place in modern physics. It is lèse-majesté to make any criticism of the velocity of light. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-standen/the-velocity-of-light-occupies-an-extraordinary-place-in-modern/) [Anthony Standen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-standen/) ## More by Bruce Sterling > [They used to be seen as insane or unthinkable acts of madmen. But if they take place they'll be called 'war' too. And there…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-sterling/they-used-to-be-seen-as-insane-or-unthinkable-acts-of-madmen-but-if/) [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) > [“You give a guy a license to steal, you've got to expect him to use it.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-sterling/you-give-a-guy-a-license-to-steal-you-ve-got-to-expect-him-to-use-it/) [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) > [“America hadn't really been suited for its long and tiresome role as the Last Superpower, the World's Policeman. As a patriotic American, Oscar was…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-sterling/america-hadn-t-really-been-suited-for-its-long-and-tiresome-role-as/) [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) > [“But the economy's out of control. Money just doesn't need human beings anymore. Most of us only get in the way.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-sterling/but-the-economy-s-out-of-control-money-just-doesn-t-need-human-beings/) [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) > [It's going to be really interesting to see what the heroin market does in the next two years or so. One thing you can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-sterling/it-s-going-to-be-really-interesting-to-see-what-the-heroin-market/) [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) > [Information wants you to give me a dollar.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-sterling/information-wants-you-to-give-me-a-dollar/) [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) > [Architects thrive after massive urban disasters. The abject collapse of East Berlin gave us the only city in Europe with a mighty host of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-sterling/architects-thrive-after-massive-urban-disasters-the-abject-collapse/) [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) > [Information wants to be free. Believe it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-sterling/information-wants-to-be-free-believe-it/) [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) > [The internet brought many laudable things, but prosperity, stability, accountability and honest politics were not four of them.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-sterling/the-internet-brought-many-laudable-things-but-prosperity-stability/) [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) > [I was once a student in a punk T-Shirt hooked on screwed-up scenarios. That's how I became the esteemed cultural figure that I am…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-sterling/i-was-once-a-student-in-a-punk-t-shirt-hooked-on-screwed-up-scenarios/) [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) > [ “If America suffers from drugs, perhaps you should ask what America is lacking, \[“What an asshole,”\] Eric King commented suddenly. They ignored him.” ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-sterling/if-america-suffers-from-drugs-perhaps-you-should-ask-what-america-is/) [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) > [“Forget trying to pass for normal. Follow your geekdom. Embrace nerditude. In the immortal words of Lafcadio Hearn, a geek of incredible obscurity whose…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-sterling/forget-trying-to-pass-for-normal-follow-your-geekdom-embrace/) [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) > [I like to get paid for doing basic research, so it's pleasant to write some nonfiction about it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-sterling/i-like-to-get-paid-for-doing-basic-research-so-it-s-pleasant-to-write/) [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) > [Find a client and get a job.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-sterling/find-a-client-and-get-a-job/) [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) > [I wouldn't describe that "position" as "parasitic." I'd describe that experience as "edifying." I don't merely write from a critical intellectual distance. I actually…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bruce-sterling/i-wouldn-t-describe-that-position-as-parasitic-i-d-describe-that/) [Bruce Sterling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) [Explore all 126 Bruce Sterling quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bruce-sterling/) ## More Cows quotes > [We were so poor as kids. I didn't even see a bathtub, running water, hot water, commode - we didn't have any of that.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/phil-robertson/we-were-so-poor-as-kids-i-didn-t-even-see-a-bathtub-running-water-hot/) [Phil Robertson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/phil-robertson/) > [Cows are a lot smarter across the board than bulls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/thomas-haden-church/cows-are-a-lot-smarter-across-the-board-than-bulls/) [Thomas Haden Church](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/thomas-haden-church/) > [ Gonna rain like a cow pissin' on a flat rock" \[drugstore clerk to detective Virgil Flowers\] Dark of the Moon, p.7 ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/john-sandford/gonna-rain-like-a-cow-pissin-on-a-flat-rock-drugstore-clerk-to/) [John Sandford](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/john-sandford/) > [In most agencies, account executives outnumber the copywriters two to one. If you were a dairy farmer, would you employ twice as many milkers…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-ogilvy/in-most-agencies-account-executives-outnumber-the-copywriters-two-to/) [David Ogilvy](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-ogilvy/) > [My dad's idea of punishment was to dress me up in all green to disguise me as grass, and then throw me in the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/bryan-callen/my-dad-s-idea-of-punishment-was-to-dress-me-up-in-all-green-to/) [Bryan Callen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/bryan-callen/) > [To isolate mathematics from the practical demands of the sciences is to invite the sterility of a cow shut away from the bulls.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/pafnuty-chebyshev/to-isolate-mathematics-from-the-practical-demands-of-the-sciences-is/) [Pafnuty Chebyshev](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/pafnuty-chebyshev/) > [Sometimes you look in a field and you see a cow and you think it's a better cow than the one you've got in…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alex-ferguson/sometimes-you-look-in-a-field-and-you-see-a-cow-and-you-think-it-s-a/) [Alex Ferguson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alex-ferguson/) > [The thing that bothers me the most is the recklessness and greed of the local ranchers, who run too many cattle back here, choking…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/merle-haggard/the-thing-that-bothers-me-the-most-is-the-recklessness-and-greed-of/) [Merle Haggard](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/merle-haggard/) > [Spring comes with joyous laugh, and song, and sunshine, and the burnt sacrifice of the over-ripe boot and the hoary overshoe. The cowboy and…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/edgar-wilson-nye/spring-comes-with-joyous-laugh-and-song-and-sunshine-and-the-burnt/) [Edgar Wilson Nye](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/edgar-wilson-nye/) > [Talking to animals' isn't a matter of words used, it is a matter of your thoughts, your expression, and above all the tone of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/barbara-woodhouse/talking-to-animals-isn-t-a-matter-of-words-used-it-is-a-matter-of/) [Barbara Woodhouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/barbara-woodhouse/) > [Learning is like a cow of desire. It, like her, yields in all seasons. Like a mother, it feeds you on your journey. Therefore…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/chanakya/learning-is-like-a-cow-of-desire-it-like-her-yields-in-all-seasons/) [Chanakya](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/chanakya/) > [The velocity of light occupies an extraordinary place in modern physics. It is lèse-majesté to make any criticism of the velocity of light. It…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anthony-standen/the-velocity-of-light-occupies-an-extraordinary-place-in-modern/) [Anthony Standen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anthony-standen/) > [The friendly cow, all red and white, I love with all my heart; She gives me cream with all her might, To eat with…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-louis-stevenson/the-friendly-cow-all-red-and-white-i-love-with-all-my-heart-she-gives/) [Robert Louis Stevenson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-louis-stevenson/) > [We are shut up in school and college recitation rooms for ten to fifteen years, and come out at last with a bellyful of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ralph-waldo-emerson/we-are-shut-up-in-school-and-college-recitation-rooms-for-ten-to/) [Ralph Waldo Emerson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ralph-waldo-emerson/) > [Every lecture should state one main point and repeat it over and over, like a theme with variations. An audience is like a herd…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gian-carlo-rota/every-lecture-should-state-one-main-point-and-repeat-it-over-and-over/) [Gian-Carlo Rota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gian-carlo-rota/) [Browse all 903 Cows quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/cows/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "I think our grandparents were Victor Frankenstein. I basically am the kind of deeply unnatural creature that Mrs Shelley instinctively dreaded. I not only eat her sacred cows but I eat them with ketchup. 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