Comments: 37
Vumpalouska [2018-04-15 16:49:43 +0000 UTC]
Damn, a species that foolish and short-sighted would probably have deserved to perish. They're clearly Darwin Awards material.
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ChatlaninKyr In reply to Vumpalouska [2018-04-16 12:54:26 +0000 UTC]
Personally, I'm of opinion that we are in no position to make such judgements. Yushzzukians are products of their evolutionary history and environment, just like any other intelligent species. In-universe, bio-shapering civilizations have less motivation and capabilities to expand into space, and that usually stalls their development and increases possibility of self-destruction.
It should also be taken into consideration that, despite numerous pessimistic predictions, Yushzzukians eventually found their place among other spacefaring species; the current Itkushzian-Yushzzukian civilization is a thriving society. So I guess if this short fictional story has any sort of moral, it is something along the lines of everybody deserving a chance and suchlike banalities
Also, pardon me, but I'm a bit curious: if it so unfortunately happens that the civilization in which you live destroys itself (let's face it, there is such a possibility), will you automatically nominate all the members of this civilization's species, including yourself, for Darwin Awards?
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Vumpalouska In reply to ChatlaninKyr [2018-04-16 15:46:10 +0000 UTC]
A species can only be judged as a whole by its eventual survival or failure to survive. In the event of repeated, self-induced global catastrophes, the most aggressive, short-sighted gung-ho members of society should be gradually weeded out - unless these tendencies are deeply rooted in the core psyche of the species, probably making them unviable without outside intervention (which was likely the only thing that saved the Yushzzukians).
Well, I guess the Yushzzukians did eventually survive, though they cheated by getting help from an interstellar alien species. (Personally, I think they should have fought a few more wars and hope that ultimately, their species would be rebuilt from a very small stock of nonaggressive survivors...)
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ChatlaninKyr In reply to Vumpalouska [2018-04-16 19:51:00 +0000 UTC]
But that's the problem with mass destruction weapons — they tend to kill everyone, not just the most short-sighted gung-ho members of society. Furthermore, in the following post-downfall years, when bands of marauders and wild warbeasts threaten remaining communities, a certain amount of aggressiveness is necessary just to survive. Later, when communities grow into new nation states, they start to compete for territory and old technology, and once again aggressive actions can be quite profitable for the time being. So the problem is a bit deeper than a number of warmongers who just don't die out.
All of the aforesaid doesn't mean there weren't any Yushzzukians who wanted peace. At the height of each cycle, there always were anti-war groups trying to prevent conflicts and limit the use of MDW. They studied the history of previous cycle(s), used varying tactics and sometimes reached temporary success. But then, it is indeed possible — and much easier — to ignore all these insignificant details and simply judge the species as a whole.
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IchthiusRex [2017-11-11 15:10:43 +0000 UTC]
I've read and reread this description about 7 times and each time it has not only succeeded in creating a realistic and believable history but also blowing my mind with the sheer difference from what I have come to expect from sentient aliens. Great job in every regard!
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IchthiusRex In reply to ChatlaninKyr [2017-11-12 23:58:19 +0000 UTC]
What I have come to expect is for alien races to mirror a specific culture or aspect of human society without any of the variations for technology development and even behavior regardless of the state or world the aliens are in. The world alone would cause very different technology, behavior, trends, needs, wants, even violent interactions (although likely for similar reasons as humans such as food or territory). All of the previously mentioned criteria need to be approached from the view of an alien and likewise would have very different sequences and unique results. For example, the Yushzzukians nearly wiped themselves out with aimed epidemics and environmental catastrophe caused by their biological technology. Unlike here on earth where we have never developed such biotechnology and instead use an array of bombs to reek mass destruction. This difference (although having a remotely similar outcome) is usually overlooked or briefly stated without having any major outcome for the aliens and their advancement to space-faring, sentient beings. Even though I have seen an increase in the number of aliens created with these values in mind, it is still usually done in the previously stated sloppy fashion in order to achieve a more relatable feel.
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IchthiusRex In reply to ChatlaninKyr [2017-11-25 18:37:56 +0000 UTC]
Yes, there is currently several I have been designing recently! The few that have received the most attention, however, are the tribal species of my alien planet: Annomolus (the reason for it being misspelled is an old joke that I never grew tired of). I plan on posting the Annomolus tribes soon, but, progress has been slow. Additionally, I have made other space faring races. Unfortunately, their progress has been even slower.
As for my opinion, you deserve it!
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Ivelin-Fulmen [2017-09-19 20:03:21 +0000 UTC]
какие интересные, вот уж действительно инопланетяне, когда не знаешь, с какой стороны подойти в прямом смысле слова х) тяжко, наверное, с ними контактировать билатерально-симметричным)))
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ChatlaninKyr In reply to Ivelin-Fulmen [2017-09-21 20:59:31 +0000 UTC]
Спасибо)
Подходить-то с любой стороны можно, для них разницы нет. Большую проблему представляют длинные паузы в диалоге и медленная речь, хотя и к этому можно привыкнуть.
А вот самим юшззукианам с билатеральными в этом плане куда сложнее общаться. Как минимум, жестами проблематично привлечь внимание софонта, смотрящего в другую сторону. Более медленный метаболизм создаёт им репутацию тугодумов, из-за чего некоторые кислорододышащие стремятся закончить за них фразы во время беседы, а то и вовсе сваливают посреди диалога, устав ждать ответ.
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Ivelin-Fulmen In reply to ChatlaninKyr [2017-11-02 20:34:14 +0000 UTC]
да, тяжко им с общением, вот так описываешь ты, как у тебя дела, а собеседник взял и ушел х)
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Midiaou [2016-08-17 21:51:58 +0000 UTC]
Wow, these might be my favorite sophonts of yours! I love the backstory that isn't human like and the alien look to it. Kudos!!
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salpfish1 [2016-08-12 22:35:36 +0000 UTC]
Really weird, and great design!
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Neframe [2016-08-10 16:14:53 +0000 UTC]
They are a really fascinating species.
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CrossDevice [2016-08-10 00:11:49 +0000 UTC]
Another strange and interesting species~
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CrossDevice In reply to ChatlaninKyr [2016-08-10 11:20:02 +0000 UTC]
Not sure if I asked this before, do you come up with the stories first, or the creatures?
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CrossDevice In reply to ChatlaninKyr [2016-08-10 21:37:09 +0000 UTC]
I see~ Quite interesting.
Its usually the opposite for me, I have a base layout of a story, and then come up with a creature to fit it. Then make adjustments XD
I guess reptids are kind of an exception... they were visually designed first... but they've changed a lot visually from their original design, so in a way, it can still be interpreted as designed after their stories.
I have a few stories needing species. One at least is kind of important, but I don't really have the confidence to do much designing
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CrossDevice In reply to ChatlaninKyr [2016-08-14 01:37:06 +0000 UTC]
XD, I wish I was better at coming up with interesting looking designs.
Who knows, things are pretty scrambled at the moment
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ChatlaninKyr In reply to WorldBuildersInc [2016-08-10 10:48:36 +0000 UTC]
Thank you
Yes, everything we come up with has been invented before But it's actually encouraging that I'm not the only one who imagined biocivilisation this way (i.e. as a more difficult path for species that can't use fire). I hope it means this fictional concept isn't just an accidental figment of my imagination, but has some common logical background.
However, I tried to make Yushzzukians' civilization less "exclusively biological", so to say. Just as human civilization, although mechanistic by this classification, uses cultivated plants, mounts, dogs and other animals, or even creates living root bridges , bio-shapering Yushzzukians used mechanisms throughout their development, although on a lesser scale.
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ChatlaninKyr In reply to WorldBuildersInc [2016-08-27 09:08:24 +0000 UTC]
I think it's a very promising idea The additional advantage is that black smokers form ore deposits around themselves (the black smoker chimney itself is, essentially, the deposit). But there are also a couple of potential problems. First of all, as I understood, most metals are emitted as parts of chemical compounds. The question is whether it's possible or not to extract metals from compounds underwater (using temperatures under 400°C), and if not, are there enough metals in the form of simple compounds. Second, as far as I know, black smokers only exist in deep abyssal zones, so either the hypothetical aquatic sophonts are adapted to high pressure (while aquatic life on Earth is most diversified much closer to the ocean's surface), or their planet has a different geology. By the way, maybe the "different geology" excuse can be used to rise the vents' temperatures.
I didn't think of Yushzzukians' psychology much, partly because I didn't want to make the description any longer. Your suggestion is very valuable not only because it expands their unique perception of the world beyond simple multitasking, but also because it can be expressed in just four words: prioritizing instead of focusing! And it perfectly suits what I wrote about their contact with Itkushzis. Thank you
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ChatlaninKyr In reply to WorldBuildersInc [2016-09-04 13:29:35 +0000 UTC]
I agree that electroplating is another viable option. I'm not sure about magnesium, but it's because I don't know enough on the subject. Looks like magnesium must be heated anyway before it starts to react with water; and another question is: are there any accessible underwater magnesium deposits at all?
Anyway, all these ideas may be useful for designing underwater civilization, so thanks for the thread link
Well, I already said that I think focal/nonfocal classification is a great idea. But I have a question about the socio-personal relation: what about predators that hunt in packs? Is their sapience still classified as "draconic"? Also, I tend to separate "true" hive minds, where each individual is a sophont (such as your Thyorans or Protoss from Starcraft), from "one controlling mind"-type civilizations, which, arguably, are not even societies (the insectoids from Ender's Game belong here; I'd say the Queen has more in common with one of these specialists than with a ruler of any kind).
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ChatlaninKyr In reply to WorldBuildersInc [2016-09-04 14:40:04 +0000 UTC]
My point is that a single-mind civilization has only one true sapient creature; and since you're classifying sapience, the other, controlled creatures of the collective should not be taken into consideration at all. Their apparent "self-sacrifice" is not true because there are no "selves" among them, while you define sapience as "awareness of self". Meanwhile, the controlling sophont might be egoistic to the point of draconic sapience, sending its subjects to certain death as easily as a lizard detaches its tail.
Also, here's a paradox (not really) for your classification system: Ppuntsavians are hive minds, but have primate sapience
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