currently reading
Evolving the Alien - Jack Cohen and Ian Stewart
The book is about the science of evolving workable theories as to what aliens (IF they exist and WHEN we run across them) would be like.
The authors discuss the science of "xenoscience", using whatever they can of terrestrial biology, astronomy and astrophysics.
The book also attempts to answer the question so many people asked me when I told them I was reading it - why?
Why bother? Apart from the nutcases who burble on about being "abducted", who has actually seen an alien?
Here are the book's and my reasons combined (because it's so hard to remember whos ideas are what in my raspberry jelly brain ):
1) If we (as in the Human Race) are ever going to intelligently look for signs of alien life, spaceprobewise or SETIwise, we should try and make an intelligent guess what to look for
2) While terra-forming or inter-planetary colonisation still looks more fictional than real at this point in time, we're not too far off from the point where discussions of the "environment" will have to be prefixed with a planetary name to be clear
3) If enough of us talk seriously about the subject, we might actually be able to beat some sense into Star Trek fans (on the plus side for trekkies, although the book doesn't look kindly on the aliens created in most sci-fi shows or movies, they provide a (plausible?) explanation for the evolution of "tribbles" - you do remember THAT episode don't you?)
4) Stepping back a bit from the view that Earth is the only planet which supports life and can support life, helps us to understand life and the evolution of life better
The sweet pieces of the book for me are the small blurbs of SF novels they've sprinkled liberally over the chapters.
That and the eww-gross delight I take in discovering just how weird some creatures are - nasty frogs that feed on the tadpoles of their own species, fish that change sex as per convenience and an Indian (and I thought I was the only one) stick insect which has given up sexual reproduction as a means of reproduction.
If you have read this far, DON'T try and borrow the book from me - I've already got too many friends on Betelgeuse 7 waiting to get their tentacles on it.
The book is about the science of evolving workable theories as to what aliens (IF they exist and WHEN we run across them) would be like.
The authors discuss the science of "xenoscience", using whatever they can of terrestrial biology, astronomy and astrophysics.
The book also attempts to answer the question so many people asked me when I told them I was reading it - why?
Why bother? Apart from the nutcases who burble on about being "abducted", who has actually seen an alien?
Here are the book's and my reasons combined (because it's so hard to remember whos ideas are what in my raspberry jelly brain ):
1) If we (as in the Human Race) are ever going to intelligently look for signs of alien life, spaceprobewise or SETIwise, we should try and make an intelligent guess what to look for
2) While terra-forming or inter-planetary colonisation still looks more fictional than real at this point in time, we're not too far off from the point where discussions of the "environment" will have to be prefixed with a planetary name to be clear
3) If enough of us talk seriously about the subject, we might actually be able to beat some sense into Star Trek fans (on the plus side for trekkies, although the book doesn't look kindly on the aliens created in most sci-fi shows or movies, they provide a (plausible?) explanation for the evolution of "tribbles" - you do remember THAT episode don't you?)
4) Stepping back a bit from the view that Earth is the only planet which supports life and can support life, helps us to understand life and the evolution of life better
The sweet pieces of the book for me are the small blurbs of SF novels they've sprinkled liberally over the chapters.
That and the eww-gross delight I take in discovering just how weird some creatures are - nasty frogs that feed on the tadpoles of their own species, fish that change sex as per convenience and an Indian (and I thought I was the only one) stick insect which has given up sexual reproduction as a means of reproduction.
If you have read this far, DON'T try and borrow the book from me - I've already got too many friends on Betelgeuse 7 waiting to get their tentacles on it.
posted by wordmonkey at 7:27 am
5 Comments:
My apoligies for my ghordopic silence, have been marooned on ever-never again land! in islamabad, mud pit hiatus, extraordinaire.
as for the ghordopic, i do empathise with you indians regarding traffic, especially since ive "been" to delhi, so will contribute to your personal quest.
underpast: the seedy flash of horrific nostalgia we experience when you feel youre plunging to your death every time you corss a lahori underpass, fearing the poor quality plaster collapsing on your sad little life.
riskshaw: again obvious, the epic deliberation that goes into making the life or death decision each time you decide to get in one and ride the roads.
difections: my own personal quest of travelling all the wrong roads to finally find myself at any planned location.
trafficfight- the proverbial brawl one is priveleged to witness at EVERY stop sign, over ....
i didnt actually remove the post, but when i got here from islamabad, somehow it was off, phantom at work.
of all the ghordopics! "hotels"!
luxury sweep- the ultimate fantasy room with a no access lunge at every thing, since its priced up to slit your throat and daddy's credit card is maxing out.
roomcircus- the never ending tirade of personnel always lurking in the background and on occassion foreground of your immediate vicinity. (couldnt make it any more obvious that im not a "people-person")
"have a nice say"- customary smile attatched to limerick that is mandatory for all staff to award YOU with an imminent barely concealed "up yours" in their eyes.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Post a Comment
<< Home