Message-ID: <800@utcsri.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 22-Feb-85 13:36:09 EST
Article-I.D.: utcsri.800
Posted: Fri Feb 22 13:36:09 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 22-Feb-85 13:42:37 EST
Distribution: net
Organization: CSRI, University of Toronto
Lines: 8

This may be a new topic(!).  What is your favorite alien in Science Fiction?
I have read a lot, but my favorites are the Puppeteers (maybe because
I like ostriches) by Niven, and the Little Fuzzies by Piper.  Are there
other really neat creations out there that I haven't read about?

Thanks,
Brad Myers
Univ of Toronto

Message-ID: <466@ssc-vax.UUCP>
Date: Thu, 28-Feb-85 02:04:47 EST
Article-I.D.: ssc-vax.466
Posted: Thu Feb 28 02:04:47 1985
Date-Received: Fri, 1-Mar-85 09:41:42 EST
References: <800@utcsri.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Boeing Aerospace Co., Seattle, WA
Lines: 14

> This may be a new topic(!).  What is your favorite alien in Science Fiction?
> I have read a lot, but my favorites are the Puppeteers (maybe because
> I like ostriches) by Niven, and the Little Fuzzies by Piper.  Are there
> other really neat creations out there that I haven't read about?

I don't read much of the current pulp (don't have the time) but it seems
that most scifi aliens are either too anthropomorphic (Spock) or utterly
unbelievable (energy beings).  I prefer stories where the alien is 
reasonably possible from what we know of biology or where the alien is
unseen or legendary.  Niven's (& Pournell's) Moties from 'the Mote in
God's Eye' are my favorite among the possibles.  The Krell from 'Forbiden
Planet' are my favorite among the legendary.

{uw-beaver,etc.}!ssc-vax!atst

Message-ID: <902@yale.ARPA>
Date: Mon, 4-Mar-85 13:39:24 EST
Article-I.D.: yale.902
Posted: Mon Mar  4 13:39:24 1985
Date-Received: Thu, 7-Mar-85 05:32:17 EST
References: <800@utcsri.UUCP>
Reply-To: andrews@yale-comix.UUCP (Thomas O. Andrews)
Distribution: net
Organization: Yale University CS Dept., New Haven CT
Lines: 16
Summary: Solaris

Expires:
Sender:
Followup-To:
Keywords:


*****   Eat this, you filthy monster   *****

  My favorite alien has got to be the ocean of Solaris, in Stanislaw Lem's
novel of the same name.  The book is an excellent commentary on the field
of science fiction, marked by Lem's wit and realistic approach to alien
life.  Lem seems to be saying to other science fiction authors, "If there is
intelligent life elsewhere, it sure as hell won't be able to communcicate with
us."  This also seems to be one of the themes of his book, _His Masters Voice_.

  Any other Lem fans out there?

-- 
					      Thomas Andrews

17?  What a stupid, worthless number.