Extraterrestrials in fiction: Difference between revisions

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	In popular ] and ], life forms, especially intelligent life forms, that are of ], i.e. not coming from the ] are referred to as alien and collectively as aliens. Prime examples of how aliens are viewed are found in the movies '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''.		In popular ] and ], life forms, especially intelligent life forms, that are of ], i.e. not coming from the ] are referred to as alien and collectively as aliens. Prime examples of how aliens are viewed are found in the movies '']'', '']'', '']'', '']'', and '']''.

	~~A peculiarity of this~~ usage is ~~its~~ ]: when humans in fictional accounts accomplish ] and land on a ] elsewhere in the ], the local inhabitants of these other planets are usually still referred to as "alien," even though they are the native life form and the humans are the intruders. In general they are seen as unfriendly life forms. This may be seen as a reversion to the classic meaning of "alien" as referring to "other," in contrast to "us" in the context of the writer's ].		This usage is clearly ]: when humans in fictional accounts accomplish ] and land on a ] elsewhere in the ], the local inhabitants of these other planets are usually still referred to as "alien," even though they are the native life form and the humans are the intruders. In general they are seen as unfriendly life forms. This may be seen as a reversion to the classic meaning of "alien" as referring to "other," in contrast to "us" in the context of the writer's ].

			==Humanoid appearance==
	In popular culture, such as ~~in the~~ movies~~, on TV,~~ and in comics, "aliens" are often depicted as somewhat humanoid in their appearance (See ], ]). In fact it unlikely, if alien life exists at all, for a creature that evolved from otherworldly origins on a distant planet, to ressemble even vaguely the appearance of a human being, since most creatures on Earth today such as ], ] or ] look very different than a human being does and yet came from the same earthly origins. That would mean aliens from distant worlds, if they exist~~(ed)~~ at all, would look even less like us than anything we've ever seem. Of course in Hollywood, it is typical to depict aliens as humanoid, as it is easier for an alien in a movie scene to simply be a disguised human actor, say with dripping goo. Plus, Hollywood aliens, in order to catch our attention, must trigger instantaneous emotional reaction; this requires a design based on recognizable human facial features and expressions. It is easier to relate to an alien with features we recognize such as arms and legs, two eyes, a nose and a mouth, as well as behavior we recognize such as baring its teeth in anger or widening its eyes in shock or surprise.		In popular culture, such as movies and comics, "aliens" are often depicted as somewhat humanoid in their appearance (See ], ]). In fact it unlikely, if alien life exists at all, for a creature that evolved from otherworldly origins on a distant planet, to ressemble even vaguely the appearance of a human being, since most creatures on Earth today such as ], ] or ] look very different than a human being does and yet came from the same earthly origins. That would mean aliens from distant worlds, if they exist at all, would look even less like us than anything we've ever seem.

			There are several reasons for this humanoid depiction in popular culture. It makes it easier for an alien in a movie scene to simply be a disguised human actor. Aliens in movies, in order to catch our attention, must trigger instantaneous emotional reaction; this requires a design based on recognizable human facial features and expressions. It is easier to relate to an alien with features we recognize such as arms and legs, two eyes, a nose and a mouth, as well as behavior we recognize such as baring its teeth in anger or widening its eyes in shock or surprise.

			==Silicon based life==
			There are examples of silicon-based life in ], such as an episode of the original ] series, which included a silicon life form called the ] or the ] and ] in the science-fiction adventure game ]. The ] story '']'' featured a silicon-based being, and indeed made great play of the exceptional rarity of silicon-based lifeforms.

	== See also ==		== See also ==

Revision as of 16:29, 8 July 2005

It has been suggested that Aliens_in_fiction be merged into this article. (Discuss)

In popular fiction and conspiracy theories, life forms, especially intelligent life forms, that are of extraterrestrial origin, i.e. not coming from the Earth are referred to as alien and collectively as aliens. Prime examples of how aliens are viewed are found in the movies Alien, E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial, Signs, Independence Day, and War of the Worlds.

This usage is clearly anthropocentric: when humans in fictional accounts accomplish interstellar travel and land on a planet elsewhere in the universe, the local inhabitants of these other planets are usually still referred to as "alien," even though they are the native life form and the humans are the intruders. In general they are seen as unfriendly life forms. This may be seen as a reversion to the classic meaning of "alien" as referring to "other," in contrast to "us" in the context of the writer's frame of reference.

Humanoid appearance

In popular culture, such as movies and comics, "aliens" are often depicted as somewhat humanoid in their appearance (See Greys, Little green men). In fact it unlikely, if alien life exists at all, for a creature that evolved from otherworldly origins on a distant planet, to ressemble even vaguely the appearance of a human being, since most creatures on Earth today such as squid, palm trees or bacteria look very different than a human being does and yet came from the same earthly origins. That would mean aliens from distant worlds, if they exist at all, would look even less like us than anything we've ever seem.

There are several reasons for this humanoid depiction in popular culture. It makes it easier for an alien in a movie scene to simply be a disguised human actor. Aliens in movies, in order to catch our attention, must trigger instantaneous emotional reaction; this requires a design based on recognizable human facial features and expressions. It is easier to relate to an alien with features we recognize such as arms and legs, two eyes, a nose and a mouth, as well as behavior we recognize such as baring its teeth in anger or widening its eyes in shock or surprise.

Silicon based life

There are examples of silicon-based life in science fiction, such as an episode of the original Star Trek series, which included a silicon life form called the Horta or the Chenjesu and Taalo in the science-fiction adventure game Star Control II. The Doctor Who story The Hand of Fear featured a silicon-based being, and indeed made great play of the exceptional rarity of silicon-based lifeforms.

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