Frankenwords or, responsible innovation for the humanities

This perspective is an exercise in reflexivity. The field of Responsible Research and Innovation commonly provides normative analyses of the STEM disciplines. I am asking here: can an argument be made to pay more attention to innovation in the humanities, for example neologisms, metaphors and slogans? I use the history of the neologism Frankenfood to link the responsibilities of STEM and non-STEM disciplines. The history of this word in combination with the history of its inspiration, Mary Shelley’s novel (Frankenstein; Or, the Modern Prometheus), provides a rich tapestry linking the verbal with the physical. Two ethical themes already seem present in the original Promethean myths (Prometheus plasticator and Prometheus pyrphoros), the responsibility of designing creations well, and the follow-up duty of care for the creations. I hope the focus on the persistence and potential harm of memes will promote a discussion of responsible innovation in the humanities.