tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26974492.post6702430120308736400..comments2024-03-28T18:54:13.800-04:00Comments on alien romances: Evolutionary Tree and WorldbuildingRowena Cherryhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11839386556697211986noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26974492.post-63845696621356022422007-03-25T17:19:00.000-04:002007-03-25T17:19:00.000-04:00"In fact, they are the same species, but each woul..."In fact, they are the same species, but each would likely have adapted to their environment in some way. How would these similarities and differences come into play with interstellar conflicts? Would the two human civilizations come to realize they're the same species and make nice?" <BR/><BR/>That is somewhat the situation in Marion Zimmer Bradley's Darkover series. When Terran star travelers "discover" Darkover, at first neither the Terrans nor the Darkovans know that the human inhabitants of Darkover are descendants from the passengers and crew of an Earth colony ship lost many centuries earlier. A few of the artistocratic (psychically gifted) families, to make matters more interesting, have interbred with the mysterious, reclusive native Chieri (sort of elf-like creatures, who are hermaphrodites capable of assuming either sex depending on the situation).<BR/><BR/>RE oxytocin, I don't think shooting someone with the hormone would work as described. I believe it has to build up in one's system for a while to affect behavior to that extent, wouldn't act instantaneously. True, nursing a baby is relaxing for the mother (if my own experience can be trusted), but I doubt that hormonal effect would overrule a fit of rage in the midst of the heat of conflict. A "more powerful synthesized version," now that has interesting possibilities.Margaret Carterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08293021955480708191noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26974492.post-22293144945811362842007-03-20T15:30:00.000-04:002007-03-20T15:30:00.000-04:00*quote* A hormone called oxytocin, best-known for ...*quote* A hormone called oxytocin, best-known for inducing labor and lactation in women, also operates in the brain (of both sexes). There, it promotes trust during interactions with other people, and thus the cooperative behavior that lets groups of people live together for the common good. *end quote*<BR/><BR/>And IF this could be synthisized, how would if affect wars? How would it affect corporate negotiations? Criminal trials? The entire law enforcement industry? WHAT IF (and didn't we discuss what if here?) instead of tazering a suspect, the cops shot him with a dart full of oxytocin... or a more powerful synthentic version.<BR/><BR/>What if...? I feel stories brewing. <BR/><BR/>THANKS for a great post and link, JL!<BR/><BR/><BR/>~LinneaLinnea Sinclairhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03633057411107208569noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26974492.post-63957089867296490552007-03-20T15:15:00.000-04:002007-03-20T15:15:00.000-04:00I've delved into this, as well, and particularly e...I've delved into this, as well, and particularly enjoyed the cultural ramifications. Just like most caucasion people think of themselves a different race than, say, people of African descent, it would stand to reason that humans developing on two different planets would consider themselves a different species. In fact, they are the same species, but each would likely have adapted to their environment in some way. How would these similarities and differences come into play with interstellar conflicts? Would the two human civilizations come to realize they're the same species and make nice?Kimber Lihttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03982239712083114488noreply@blogger.com