Krakatit

Answers

• Q26CONTROL

  Can inventors remain responsible for harmful uses of their inventions that they did not intend?

  Yes. the inventor cannot shed the burden of what his invention does. In the final chapter, the old man whom Prokop recognizes as God urges him to abandon destructive work and start again with useful energy. This makes responsibility an obligation to redirect invention; it is not a legal rule about every unintended harm. Quoted from Lawrence Hyde’s 1925 English translation of the 1924 Czech novel.

  “It is good. You will do things which will help people. He whose thoughts are full of the highest turns away his eyes from people. Instead you will serve them.” “That is good,” whispered Prokop, on his knees. “Now you see,” said the old man, pleased, and squatted down on his heels. “Tell me, what’s this—what do you call it? Your invention?” Prokop raised his head. “I’ve ... forgotten.” “That doesn’t matter,” the old man reassured him. “You’ll take up other things. Wait a moment, what was it I was going to say? Aha! Why was there such a great explosion? That’s more people injured. But look about and search; perhaps you’ll find ... well, perhaps only such pf-pf-pf,” he said, blowing out his soft cheeks, “you see? So that it should only be puf-puf ... and do something which will work for people, do you understand?” “You mean,” muttered Prokop, “some sort of cheap energy, eh?” “Cheap, cheap,” agreed the old man, delighted. “So that it could be very useful. And shine, and warm, you understand?” “Wait,” said Prokop reflectively, “I don’t know—that would mean experimenting all over again ... from the other end.” “That’s it. Start from the other end and there you are. There, you see, you’ve something to begin with right away. But leave that other. I’ll get your bed ready.”

  Chapter LIV, concluding dialogue; Lawrence Hyde translation (1925) · Checked against a local transcription; page images not newly checked