Which is why writers write, isn't it? To explore human nature. This is my little bugaboo, and I know not everyone will agree, but I think even in science fiction and fantasy (maybe especially in those) it is a mistake to try to leave out the human element. Read "I, Robot" and tell me with a straight face that it is about robots. It's all very fine to write about floppy footed creatures or wiggly eel things, but the story has to have an element of humanity about it or I personaly just don't care to read about it. I know some people like to read about the mechanics of how things work, but those are the pages I flip past. There seems to be a style of writing about these days where everyone is so without emotion or real feeling, that I get the disturbing sense that the author hasn't seen a human being for years. I guess I am too far on the other side. And since I am not published, I can't be considered an authority. But as a reader, I don't find the chllly style very satisfying.