From Xenomorphs to ETs: Which Alien Species is the Best? This week on the podcast, Brian and Darryl boldly go into the sci-fi vault to debate the most creative alien species in the galaxy. Think Na’vi spirituality meets Xenomorph acid vomit. From hive-minded cybernetic zombies to fire-based art snobs, it’s time to crown the weirdest, wildest, most wonderful extraterrestrials in fiction. Episode Index Intro: 0:07 Alien, Mine: Alien Showdown… Who’s the Best? Darryl Heptapods (from Arrival) Physical Traits – Appearance: Heptapods are seven-limbed (hence the name “hepta-” meaning seven) creatures with a large, oval-shaped head and a body that appears to be semi-transparent2. – Eyes: They have thousands of small, dime-sized eyes in clusters, which are actually patches of photosensitive skin. – Sensory Perception: They use sophisticated sonar to perceive their environment, allowing them to detect even minute details. Culture – Non-linear Perception of Time: Heptapods experience time non-linearly, meaning they perceive past, present, and future simultaneously. This is reflected in their language and behavior3. – Patience and Long-term Thinking: Their non-linear perception of time gives them a unique perspective on patience and long-term consequences. They are willing to wait for humans to understand their language and purpose4. – Purpose of Arrival: They arrive on Earth to share their language, Heptapod B, which they believe will help humanity understand their non-linear perception of time and potentially aid them in the future. Language – Heptapod A: This is their spoken language, which sounds very organic and is designed to be heard rather than spoken. – Heptapod B: This is their written language, consisting of circular logograms that represent entire concepts or sentences rather than individual words. The meaning of these logograms depends on the tendrils and splotches branching out from their circular rings2. – Impact on Humans: Learning Heptapod B alters the human perception of time, allowing them to experience events out of sequence, similar to how Heptapods perceive time. MorningLightMountain (Commonwealth Saga by Peter F. Hamilton) Physical Traits: – Prime Bodies: MorningLightMountain’s consciousness inhabits billions of distinct Prime bodies. These bodies are divided into two types: motiles and immotiles1. – Motiles: Motiles can see and move but are relatively unintelligent on their own. – Immotiles: Immotiles are blind and immobile but highly intelligent. They can breed motiles, and four motiles can merge to form a new immotile1. – Wormhole Technology: MorningLightMountain possesses wormhole technology, allowing its bodies to communicate over arbitrarily large distances. Mental Traits: – Hive Mind: MorningLightMountain operates as a hive mind, with a single united consciousness spread across billions of bodies. – Xenophobic and Expansionist: The Primes, including MorningLightMountain, are highly xenophobic and expansionist, seeking to subsume or destroy other species. – Highly Intelligent: Immotiles can link to each other for greater processing power, making MorningLightMountain one of the most powerful Primes. Linguistic Traits: – Non-Verbal Communication: MorningLightMountain primarily communicates non-verbally through its network of bodies. – Radio Transmitters: Primes use implanted radio transmitters to stay wirelessly connected, allowing for long-range communication. Saga of the Seven Suns series (Kevin J Anderson) Hydrogues – Physical Traits: Elemental beings composed of water and gas, often appearing as massive, swirling masses of liquid and vapor. – Culture: Highly territorial and aggressive, especially when their habitats are threatened. They have a deep connection to water and gas. – Language: Communicate through complex patterns of vibrations and waves. Faeros – Physical Traits: Elemental beings associated with fire and light, emitting a warm glow and capable of producing flames. – Culture: Passionate and energetic, valuing creativity and expression. They are often involved in artistic and spiritual pursuits. – Language: Communicate through a combination of spoken language and visual symbols, using their fiery abilities to create intricate patterns and displays. Borg Physical Traits: – Cybernetic Enhancements: The Borg are a collective of various species that have been assimilated and augmented with cybernetic implants. This results in a mix of biological and mechanical features. – Pale Skin: Their skin tends to be pale or grayish due to the integration of technology and loss of individuality. – Mechanical Limbs and Eyes: Many Borg drones have mechanical limbs and/or eyes, often replacing their original biological parts with more efficient cybernetic versions. Culture: – Collective Consciousness: The Borg operate as a hive mind, known as the Collective. Individuality is suppressed, and all drones are connected through a central consciousness. – Assimilation: The primary goal of the Borg is to assimilate other species to enhance their own collective knowledge and capabilities. This is often done forcibly, with the mantra “Resistance is futile.” – Efficient and Methodical: The Borg are highly efficient and methodical in their actions, driven by their collective purpose of achieving perfection. Language: – Communal Communication: The Borg communicate internally through their collective consciousness, sharing thoughts and information instantaneously. – Distinctive Speech Patterns: When speaking externally, the Borg often use a collective “we” to represent their hive mind and have a monotone, emotionless speech pattern. Changelings (Founders) Physical Traits: – Shapeshifters: Changelings are highly advanced shapeshifters capable of assuming any form, from humanoid figures to inanimate objects. – Gelatinous State: In their natural form, Changelings exist as a gelatinous mass, which they revert to when at rest or regenerating. – Golden Hue: Their gelatinous form has a distinctive golden hue. Culture: – Great Link: The Changelings share a deep connection through the Great Link, a shared state where they merge together in their natural form, exchanging thoughts and experiences. – Isolation and Control: Historically, Changelings have sought to isolate themselves from solids (non-shapeshifting species) and control them to protect themselves from persecution and harm. – Founders of the Dominion: Changelings are the ruling species of the Dominion, a powerful political and military alliance in the Gamma Quadrant. They employ the Vorta and Jem’Hadar as their loyal servants to enforce their will. Language: – Universal Communication: Changelings typically communicate in the languages of the species they interact with. Their ability to shapeshift allows them to perfectly mimic speech. – Telepathic Connection: Within the Great Link, communication is telepathic and intuitive, allowing for an exchange of complex ideas and emotions without words. Na’vi (James Cameron Avatar movies) Physical Traits – Height and Build: The Na’vi are tall, standing about 10 feet (3 meters) in height, and have a slender, graceful build. – Blue Skin: They have blue skin with bioluminescent patterns that glow in the dark, helping them blend into their environment. – Four-Fingered Hands: Unlike humans, the Na’vi have four fingers on each hand and four toes on each foot. – Cat-like Features: They have large, expressive, golden eyes, pointed ears, and tails, giving them a feline appearance. – Braid with Neural Queue: Each Na’vi has a long braid called a “tswin,” which contains a neural queue that allows them to connect with other creatures and the environment on Pandora. Culture – Deep Connection with Nature: The Na’vi live in harmony with the natural world of Pandora. They have a deep spiritual connection with the flora, fauna, and the planet itself. – Clans and Tribes: The Na’vi are organized into various clans and tribes, each with its own customs and traditions. The Omaticaya clan, for example, resides in the Hometree. – Eywa: The Na’vi worship Eywa, the Great Mother, a deity representing the interconnectedness of all life on Pandora. They believe that Eywa maintains the balance of life. – Rites of Passage: Na’vi culture includes several rites of passage, such as the bonding with a direhorse (pa’li) and a mountain banshee (ikran), which signify one’s transition into adulthood. – Hunting and Gathering: The Na’vi are skilled hunters and gatherers, relying on their environment for sustenance while respecting the creatures they hunt. Language – Na’vi Language: The Na’vi have their own language, developed specifically for the film by linguist Dr. Paul Frommer. It is a fully functional language with its own grammar, syntax, and vocabulary. – Tsaheylu: The neural bond, called “tsaheylu,” allows the Na’vi to connect with other creatures and their environment. This connection is a form of communication that transcends spoken language. Xenomorphs (Alien Franchise) Physical Traits: – Exoskeleton: Xenomorphs have a biomechanical, black exoskeleton that provides them with great durability and a fearsome appearance. – Elongated Skull: They possess an elongated, ridged skull with a lack of visible eyes, giving them a terrifying, eyeless visage. – Inner Jaws: Equipped with a secondary, inner jaw that can extend from their mouths for lethal attacks. – Tail: Their long, muscular tails end in a sharp blade, which they use for both balance and as a weapon. – Acidic Blood: Their blood is highly acidic, capable of burning through metal and other materials. Culture: – Hive Structure: Xenomorphs have a hive-based social structure, with a Queen at the center, responsible for laying eggs and maintaining the population. – Instinct-Driven: They operate primari
