Werber: "The World Is Already in World War III... This Novel Is a Warning Message"

"The Emergence of Hybrid Humans: Imaginative Yet Believable, According to Scientists"
The World Is Already in World War III; "Land of Chimera" Serves as a Warning Message
An Open Ending Is a Happy Ending... Showing the Difficulty of the Process

Author Bernard Werber has returned with his new work, "Land of Chimera" (published by Open Books). In the distant future, on the land of chimeras, humanity exists as three types of humans. "Aerials" are hybrids of humans and bats, equipped with wings that allow them to fly; "Nautics" are hybrids of humans and dolphins, capable of swimming; and "Diggers" are hybrids of humans and moles, possessing the ability to dig through the ground. Werber points out that while many life forms pursue diversity to enhance their chances of survival, only humans have maintained a single species, Homo sapiens. He argues that this fact significantly weakens human survivability in the face of threats such as pandemics.

On the afternoon of the 20th, Bernard Werber (left) is speaking at the publication meeting of "Land of Chimera" held at a hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. Photo by Seo Mideum

"The Emergence of Hybrid Humans Is Imaginative, but I Believe Scientists Could Make It a Reality"

Although Werber's novels deal with imaginary worlds, the author himself focuses on possibilities that could soon become reality. Just as the artificial intelligence (AI) depicted in his 1993 novel "The Brain" has become a reality, Werber speculates that the scenario in this novel may also be realized in the near future. At a press conference held at a hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, on August 20, he said, "I am a novelist. I strive to imagine the future, but it is only a hypothesis about what may come. Still, novels can act as a trigger that brings such events into reality. Scientists might actually create hybrids," he predicted.

The protagonist, Alice Camero, is named after Professor Paul Camero, a scientist who studied biology and the evolution of species. He was a real figure who was ostracized by the scientific community for claiming that living organisms could adapt to their environment by altering their DNA. Werber explained, "He chose suicide amid misunderstanding, but I imagined he had descendants and wrote the novel from that premise. I tried to build a bridge between real science, historical facts, and science fiction."

The World Is Already in World War III; "Land of Chimera" Is a Warning Message

While many science fiction works depict dystopias, Werber emphasized, "My works always aim for utopia." He diagnosed that the world is already in the midst of World War III. He said, "Hybrids are the solution to world war. 'Land of Chimera' is one of the solutions for a better future for humanity. The future is unpredictable, but I tried to envision it with foresight. It is a warning about what is happening now," he explained.

Regarding the emergence of hybrid humans, he warned, "When you gain one thing, you lose another. For example, a human who can fly gains wings but loses hands." This also points to the fact that while digital technology has made life more convenient, certain abilities are becoming obsolete. He said, "Since using mobile phones, I am not good at mental arithmetic, and due to navigation apps, I have lost my sense of direction," adding, "Recently, AI is changing our lives, but we need to be cautious." He continued, "ChatGPT is a plagiarism machine. It lacks originality," and stressed, "We are entering an era in which genuine conversations between people, which cannot be found on the internet, will become increasingly important."

An Open Ending Is a Happy Ending... I Wanted to Show the Difficulty of the Process

There are differing opinions on whether the book's open ending represents a utopia, as it can also be interpreted as a dystopia depending on the reader. In response, Werber explained, "Because it is an open conclusion, I consider it a happy ending. Despite everything that happened, the key is that they ultimately found a way to live together. However, I wanted to show that such a thing is not easy."

During his visit to Korea, Werber will hold book signings at Kyobo Bookstore, Yes24, and Aladin, and will participate in book talks at the French Embassy, the French School in Seorae Village, and COEX. A concert themed around the book's content will be performed in cities such as Seoul, Daejeon, Daegu, Busan, and Sejong.