Science fiction and intriguing differences

[mtbc]

In the shower one recent morning, I was remembering past Star Trek series and noting that, among the various encountered creatures, the Borg are among my favorites. I surmised that this may be because they are among the most different, or inhuman, thus more interesting. I have seen more deeply alien portrayals in written fiction, possibly because staging isn't an issue. Alas, I no longer remember which, but I rather liked one story that involved a juvenile entity in an environment so alien that it was barely possible to construct a worldly, rather than abstract, representation of it. I wish there were more stories that are so imaginative or, at least, I wish they were easier to find.

I realized that my attraction to difference helps to explain why I also like to watch shows and movies from distant countries that are set in the real world, it is interesting to see the many small differences, also the similarities, for example, an Iranian movie that happened to feature the same model of vaccum cleaner that my mother used in my early childhood. I am also happy to learn about the cultures of those who don't share my heritage. I don't think that there is anything deep or laudable here, I am not unusually compassionate or cunning or whatever, it is just that, at least in some regards, for some reason I appear to be attracted to novelty, to want to know from others how things can be and are different. This somehow balances with that I also appreciate predictability and routine, even ritual. Everything in moderation, perhaps.

Comments

[mellowtigger]

Yes, the Borg are interesting since they're not performing "war" in the traditional sense, and the "coexistence" (total incorporation) they propose is unacceptable to the Federation.

I'm disappointed that no tv series ever featured the Deltans. The best we got was a randy Lwaxana Troi, whose misadventures were included in a few stories. How humans handle their own sexuality and its social ramifications is a topic ripe for storytelling.

I think the Cairn would also make a fascinating series. I've written for many years that humans are not ready for what I call "technological telepathy", and the Cairn would be the perfect method to explore that topic.