Three More Isopods by Chipka
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Description
I’ve had an idea for years, now: an idea involving aliens that are—for all intents and purposes—isopods.
I’ve loved isopods (woodlice and their cousins) for as long as I can remember; I’ve raised colonies of them and will do so again, and I find it quite amazing that they haven’t figured as prominently in my writing as they could have. This oversight will be corrected, especially since I’ve worked out the main thrust of at least one isopod-centered story. I blame my interest in languages for that one, and so readers will probably find themselves immersed in the wonderfully wacky world of exo-linguistics and just how/why our own languages are woefully inadequate when it comes to describing things that human perceptions simply cannot encompass. I mean, if an isopod can drink water through its butt, smell with it’s forward and rear appendages, and vent ammonia through its shell, then it stands to reason that their perception of the physical universe is a little bit different than ours. If such creatures were as intelligent as we are, then they’d be truly alien in both physiological and mental ways. I’m sure that even rudimentary isopod mentalities (as they might exist) are enough to drive humans into fits of neurotic mental dysfunction. We do, after all, lack the mental wiring necessary to interpret things we smell simply by sitting on them.
As I looked at this picture of two pillbugs and one sowbug (can you spot the differences?) I began thinking about languages, about speech, about the way we make pictures of the world made entirely of squiggles on paper, or strange noises pushed out of our throats. For someone non-human, any human language is likely to sound like stylized gastro-intestinal distress, barking, or squawking.
In thinking about aliens (particularly pseudo-isopods) I found myself exploring any world they’d likely occupy. As woodlice are my models, I can say that they’re not very loud people. They don’t have vocal cords after all…but they have a lot of legs, and as a consequence of that, lots of feet. 14 of them to be exact. They also have forward antennae and rear-pointing “teslons.” That makes 18 flexible appendages in all, and for any creature sufficiently evolved, these movable appendages could, very well, be used in “speech.” Non-verbal speech to be sure. 18 flexible appendages would be excellent Morse-Code transmitters/receivers. Rather than speak, such creatures would simply…stomp around. In a more poetic sense, the concepts of “dancing” and “talking” would be one-in-the same. I don’t know about you, but I think that’s kinda cool. I can also envision a scene in which a human, idly drumming his (or her) fingers on a tabletop or tapping his/her feet causing all sorts of confusion (and annoyance) among any pseudo-isopods in the room.
I can see the scene now, Our Nervous Human Protagonist, pacing back and forth and eventually sitting down, only to tap his (her?) feet nervously on the cheap tile floor.
“:-:::*::_-_-_-_,” *_-_::: said in the clipped accent favored by the :::::::_* people.
“:::-::-*_-_-_?” *:::*::* asked, casting a glance at the hulking, mammalian thing, tapping gibberish onto the deck.
“***!”*_-_:::said, clicking his mandibles in polite annoyance while waving three rude legs in the direction of the nervous thing with hair on its head.
--Or something like that. It's funny how nothing in Isopod seems to translate, isn't it?
I’m sure there’s more to come on this topic. And, as always, thank you for viewing, reading, and commenting, and I hope you’re all having a great week.
Comments (23)
durleybeachbum
Chip, I am excited at your ideas for this story, but I shall need to KNOW what they are 'saying'..will Google translate manage this? I ask. I just LOVE this photo! The Sowbug looks like a Faerie Queen in that gorgeous outfit.
zoren
an interesting form of life, indeed! I have been aware of them since childhood.
sandra46
LOVE THE POSTWORK VERY FINE IMAGE
NefariousDrO
I love the idea of this story, and like you I've long felt that if we really did encounter an extra-terrestrial intelligence we'll have a very difficult time communicating on any level, as our mentalities will be, well, alien. Even mathematics is built around perception, anchored so tightly to our senses, especially our heavy reliance upon sight. I love the idea of dance and communication being synonymous. I also love this picture, the armored creatures are so likable, even as they're built almost like flexible tanks. Arthropods in general are fascinating to me, and these little critters are especially cool. If I could travel in time, I'd visit the earliest days of life outside of the water: arthropods 3 meters long wandering across the moss-covered land, it must have been amazing.
KateBlack10
great pic Chip - I love the color. They look metallic which is really cool. I'm sorry I'm too tired to write much more but I appreciate your narrative.
MrsRatbag
They do look alien; or mechanical, or maybe both? Can't wait to read your take on this story!
Orinoor
It's a great concept, well worth exploring as I have no doubt you are already doing. It reminds me of certain tribes that use a lot of clicking sounds in their vocalizations.
lwperkins
"We do, after all, lack the mental wiring necessary to interpret things we smell simply by sitting on them." You say this like it's a bad thing;) I like that bees dance to communicate. I also think of all the members of the insect world, woodlice among the most adorable. I think they would like armadillos, though they would find them perhaps uncanny;) (Goes away making a note of your bug expertise)
LovelyPoetess
Hmmmmmm, I've never pondered the theory that there is the equvilent of ASL in bugland before, but now that you mention it.... Neat photo! You'd love my workplace, we get invaded by hundreds of these little critters all spring, summer and fall. Our floors are large tiles and I've been known to round up several and place them tile-center then offer to bet on which one gets to the groutline first.
beachzz
When I was a kid, I worried about bugs that got stomped on. I figured if there was something big enough to stomp them, there had to be something MUCH bigger that could stomp ME. Nobody quite got that, but I went out of my way to avoid such encounters. These little critters were all over the place (though we called them potato bugs!!) and existed peacefully with them. I love how they look so metallic, the colors are so cool!!
jocko500
I love to watch these bugs too
kgb224
Outstanding capture my friend.
helanker
WOW! That is a great idea Chip. I am looking forward to a great story about that. Awesome shot BTW :-)
Rhanagaz
Great capture of Isopods! I have a lifelong interest in arthropods and isopods are something special as the are one of very few species of crusteceans living all their life out of the water. Interesting points about alien views, thinking and language. ;o)
Digitaleagle
I have observed them my whole life played with them as a youngster, never considered them as you have here in your story, very interesting. Love the textures and the colors, awesome work!
flavia49
brilliant capture and postwork!
danapommet
OK! I have seen many types of Isopods ( we called them woodbugs when I was a kid) but this sowbug could very well be an alien queen. I have some downed trees, in the woods behind us, and I will be out there checking out the decaying wood. The my be in New Hanpshire also. "Gort…Klaatu barada nikto!" Dana
RodS
Really cool photo of the little guys/gals/or whatever, and thought-provoking narrative as well. Interesting idea, and quite possible form of communication - considering the dances preformed by bees to communicate directions to the best nectar-shopping flowers!
auntietk
Alien, indeed! The best I can do is look at the interaction between the sowbug and the nearest pillbug and anthropomorphise. It looks as if she's comforting the pillbug, who has its head down. Of course maybe she's just smelling him, trying to figure out what he had for dinner the night before! Probably some totally other thing. Alien.
SIGMAWORLD
Excellent capture.
tennesseecowgirl
Cool work!
praep
The shot and the colors are great. Well done my friend.
lick.a.witch
Somewhere, in a galaxy far, far away....lies a planet ruled by Isopods! If it can happen, it will happen! That is nature's law! Now all we need is the means to get to that planet - or perhaps not! Love this image and can't wait for a tale or two involving aforementioned isopods! ^=^