> the monolith is made out of a material that humans can’t dent or cut. Why so strong? It’s basically just an automated radio.
The monoliths were supposed to be able to assess and monitor the activity and level of development of local species, possibly telepathically, catalyze evolution to develop intelligence, and encourage technology use. A monolith also transformed David Bowman into the Star Child. And of course, they had to maintain themselves over evolutionary timescales. So they were much more than just radios.
In sequels (which perhaps don't count), they became ridiculously overpowered (spoiler alert), replicating exponentially to perform Kardashev level II feats of solar system engineering, and hosting multiple uploaded intelligences like Bowman and HAL.
The monoliths were supposed to be able to assess and monitor the activity and level of development of local species, possibly telepathically, catalyze evolution to develop intelligence, and encourage technology use. A monolith also transformed David Bowman into the Star Child. And of course, they had to maintain themselves over evolutionary timescales. So they were much more than just radios.
In sequels (which perhaps don't count), they became ridiculously overpowered (spoiler alert), replicating exponentially to perform Kardashev level II feats of solar system engineering, and hosting multiple uploaded intelligences like Bowman and HAL.