It's interesting to read and write about alien creatures from faraway planets,
but there are also many SF stories about some alien creatures who are much closer
to home. There are many creatures who share this planet with us, and some of
them are certainly as strange as any in outer space (
) or 
.
When we think about what makes us human and what separates us from the non-human, one place many SF writers begin is with our treatment of animals. And with imagined future interactions with animals.
We know that some animals are certainly more intelligent than other animals,
and some are certainly...well...not (For example, 
).
But does that make a difference in how we treat animals? Should it? Our treatment
of animals is sometimes not something we would brag about to aliens. Some SF
stories let these animals get their revenge.
And some SF stories extend or expand some of what we already think about the intelligence and value of animals. Chimps and dolphins, generally, are the animals we see as most intelligent--most like us--and frequently in SF these animals get to become even closer to our levels in the imagined future. But other animals, too, from dogs to cats, to mice to rats, can be seen as our equals--given a period of further evolution or development or enhancement from human scientists. The human/animal connection, the similarities and the boundaries, is a zone of endless play for SF writers.
Use these three sites to reflect on your relationship with animals:
Then go to the discussion board 
and respond.