Introduction

In the previous Alien Species Design series, we covered alien biology and developing their societies/governments. Here are some quick refreshers, or what you missed if you’re just joining us.

Part 1: Biology

Designing alien species for science fiction and fantasy worlds involves considering their biological basis, how they meet their needs according to Maslow’s Hierarchy, and how their environment shapes their traits and behaviors. The key is to balance creativity with story relevance, exploring various ideas to discover the details that make your aliens seem real and captivating to readers.

Part 2: How to Develop Alien Societies

Developing a fully realized alien society involves designing interconnected elements such as government structure, decision-making processes, and enforcement mechanisms, while also considering deeper cultural aspects like traditions, values, art, and religion. The key is to ensure all facets of the society feel cohesive and emerge organically from the core traits of the alien species, creating an immersive and believable world that captivates readers with its unique and thoughtfully detailed alien culture.

Now, let’s focus on what we’re talking about today.

Interaction is one of the key aspects of alien creation. Great stories can fail because they made an alien culture interact with humans as if they were humans themselves. We’ll look at how you can diversify your alien species by considering the ways they would/will interact with humans.

First Contact Scenarios

The first contact story is one that has been played out across books, movies, and TV series. There are some good examples and ones that didn’t quite hit the mark, but let’s look at the different scenarios you can consider as you write your own first contact story.

Peaceful Vs. Hostile Encounters

These encounters can create drastically different stories. Peaceful encounters depict aliens arriving with a liaison figure to communicate with humans. These meetings often occur on equal footing, both literally and figuratively. There can be exchanges of technology, though humans are typically more resistant to sharing their own advancements. Another common element is the focus on collaboration. The aliens are traversing the universe to grow in knowledge, understanding, and resources while working with the different races to improve their own planets.

You can find examples of peaceful first contact encounters through “The Left Hand of Darkness” by Ursula K. Le Guin. This story explores themes of diplomacy, gender, and cultural understanding as the envoy from Ekumen invites the inhabitants of Gethen to join the interstellar community.

Hostile encounters, on the other hand, are the complete opposite. Aliens arrive with laser beams blazing, full of rage. These interactions resemble an invasion with no mercy or empathy. The aliens’ goal appears to be the complete annihilation of humanity. Survival becomes the name of the story as the aliens try to gain control of our world. Often, this leads to moral ambiguity, as the reasons behind the hostility are complex and often misunderstood.

A great example of this is found in the film “Independence Day” but let me also give you a literary example. “War of the Worlds” by H.G. Wells is a classic tale about Martians invading Earth with superior technology.

Misunderstandings and Cultural Clashes

Even this early in the post, you may realize that many of the conflicts from alien encounter fiction are based mostly on misunderstandings and cultural clashes. It’s no surprise, as bringing two very different cultures together is an easy way to stir the pot.

Misunderstandings commonly come across as language barriers, assumptions, and biases, and technological differences. Language barriers lead to misinterpretations because of the language or communication method differences. Language barriers are as simple as using different languages, which makes sense as the aliens are highly unlikely to have any root in Earth languages. You can find examples of this in modern life, with travelers struggling with other languages in different countries. The struggle of trying to understand a different language can lead to frustration and confusion.

“Arrival” by Ted Chiang (and its film adaptation) explores language and the true challenge of communication that would occur in an initial contact with alien species. Initial misunderstandings of the language and intentions create the tension of the story.

First contact fiction can also explore Cultural Clashes through differing values, rituals, and customs, and Power dynamics. Think if an alien race landed on earth and finished every thought with a slap to the face. In a conversation with a human that would cause rage and insult extending beyond the human interacting with them. In reality, that alien culture sees the slap on a face as communication that they have completed, they’re thought fully and are ready for the other’s reply. This prevents speaking over each other, which is considered the greatest insult in their culture.

“Speaker for the Dead” by Orson Scott Card is a great example of cultural clashes as the humans and Pequeninos struggle with empathy, understanding, and reconciliation. There is a ritual considered an honor that humans see as anything but in the story. I don’t want to ruin it, but if you haven’t read this sequel to “Ender’s Game,” I highly recommend it.

Power Dynamics Between Species

Power dynamics in first contact stories commonly reflect real-world issues such as colonialism, imperialism, and social hierarchies. Here are a few characteristics you can weave into your story to enrich alien-human interactions:

Technological Superiority: This often appears as a conflict point. Aliens are frequently depicted as far more advanced than humans, casually traveling through space. This dynamic tilts the power scale in their favor, making humans feel vulnerable. However, it can also go the other way. Humans might be the ones exploring the galaxy, becoming dominant over an inferior alien race. These stories include scenarios of control, exploitation, or protection.

Resource Control: This is a common theme in many alien stories. Control over resources can make or break a civilization. Aliens might come to Earth for its vast water resources, which they use as a power source, or because their own planet has dried up. They may not realize that salt water from the sea isn’t suitable for their needs, or perhaps it’s perfect for their alien biology.

Political and Military Power: This can play for or against the human race. When aliens are perceived as a threat, humans are more likely to unite. However, there will always be individuals who see an opportunity for power and form their own alliances with the aliens.

Now that we’ve covered some of these topics in the first encounter scenarios, let’s focus our lens on what elements you can consider implementing into your alien story.

Communication Challenges

Language Barriers

As talked about above, language issues are expected in every alien encounter. So, it won’t seem strange for you to use it as a plot device or character development tool in your story. As a plot device, the language barrier can lead to the initial misunderstandings and drive the plot forward. A simple greeting may be taken as a threat to destroy the world. Or you can use the misunderstanding to cause confusion of what is actually desired from the interaction.

As a character development aspect, you can show character growth as they learn each other’s languages. This can show adaptability and willingness to understand. As the character grows to understand the aliens, they’ll most likely empathize with these aliens as the rest of the humans who aren’t trying to grow deeper in their distrust for the aliens.

Non-Verbal Communication

Much of your alien’s non-verbal communication can tie to their physiology. An alien might use color changes, bioluminescence, or specific gestures to communicate. You can look at how humans communicate non-verbally for some help on this. Especially in our youth, humans blush when embarrassed. Facial expression is key to communication, as are the hand gestures or body posturing we use.

Just as we misread other humans, we will also misread aliens. Let’s look at the color changes examples. Color is such an important part of human culture that there are some universally associated colors with certain emotions or warnings. Red can mean danger, anger, or threat in our terms, but the alien species simply turns that color as a way for a friendly non-verbal hello. If you had a bunch of aliens turning red as they approached you, you’re less likely to think they come in peace.

Technological Aids for Translation

But what if there’s a device to fix these issues? Even modern technology has grown to where AI can actively translate to your phone while someone speaks to you in a different language. While technology is amazing, it also has its downfalls. Let’s look at how to use translation technology in a story.

Plot Device: You can introduce the translation devices to facilitate communications, but users will soon realize they aren’t perfect translations. This can lead to occasional, but critical, errors and misunderstandings.

Conflict Resolution: The translation device can come much later in the story as a way to resolve conflicts or misunderstandings, showing the importance of technology to bridge the gaps.

Character Development: Your characters might be overly reliant on their translation technology, so that when it fails, and it surely will, your characters don’t know how to communicate effectively.

Cultural Exchange

Sharing Knowledge and Technology

When different cultures share knowledge and technology, it can lead to significant changes in both cultures. One way is that it accelerates innovation. If the other culture provides technology outside of our capabilities then the desire for study and redevelopment surges as people realize the impossible is possible. Half of what holds back a culture is seeing this as impossible. With this comes new knowledge, and that requires our culture to adapt.

Cultural adaptation of technology and knowledge is more than just the physical trade of medicines, machines, and tools, it also focuses on the mental aspect. Think about how much perspectives would change if we had aliens land and interact with us on Earth. What thoughts, beliefs, and scientific facts would be challenged? Look at how this impacts your characters as you develop your story.

Artistic and Creative Collaborations

While it may not sound as important in your story, remember that art and creativity are essential elements of cultural exchange and mutual understanding. Think of how many paintings, pieces of literature, and sculptures are still appreciated today. Every piece of art connects to at least one person in the present time and helps them understand the past. So too will the art and creative collaborations of your alien species.

By studying the artistic and creative collaborations of your human-alien mix, you’ll find diverse perspectives. This can lead to more innovative works and nurture greater understanding between aliens and humans. The way aliens understand art will challenge the human mindsets and while many will claim it’s not art, a few will find the beauty in it and create that unique connection with the aliens. Eventually, this will lead to community building through cross-cultural projects. This can be a great approach in stories where the aliens and humans have moved past the first contact stage.

Religious and Philosophical Impacts

Religion and philosophy are probably going to take the largest blow here. Not everyone will focus on this part, and that’s totally fine. This can be something that you consider outside your story, but it will impact Earth in more ways than people might be ready for. Where religion and philosophy play a major role in cultural identity and interactions, the probability of conflict is high.

Work to understand the ethical frameworks of your alien race. How close to ours are they? Do they view religion the same way? How do their versions of philosophers think and speak? Each culture has a different view on life, morality, and the universe. Knowing how to answer these questions for your alien culture will add a unique depth to your story.

Forcing your characters to face the challenges to their religious and philosophical differences can show the ebb and flow of conflict and cooperation. How do your characters reconcile the different views? Do they debate with the aliens? Adapt their own views to align? Or are they so identified with their views that they create conflict?

Writing Exercise: Alien Interactions

Scenario Setup:

Imagine a first contact scenario between humans and an alien species. The aliens have just landed on Earth peacefully, but significant communication challenges exist.

Exercise Steps:

Alien Design (10 minutes)

• Briefly describe your alien species’ physical appearance and one unique biological feature that affects their communication (e.g., color-changing skin, multiple limbs for gesturing, etc.).
• Note one key aspect of their culture or philosophy that might clash with human values.

First Encounter Scene (20 minutes)

• Write a short scene (300-500 words) depicting the first face-to-face meeting between a human diplomat and an alien representative.
• Include at least one instance of miscommunication due to:
  a) A language barrier
  b) Misinterpreted non-verbal cues
  c) A cultural misunderstanding

Technology Integration (10 minutes)

• Introduce a translation device to the scene. Describe how it works and one significant flaw or limitation it has.
• Rewrite a small portion of your scene, showing how the device both helps and hinders communication.

Cultural Exchange Element (15 minutes)

• Choose one:
  a) Describe a piece of alien art and a human’s reaction to it
  b) Write a brief dialogue where the alien and human discuss a philosophical concept, highlighting their different perspectives
• Reflect on how this exchange deepens understanding or creates new tensions between the species.

Reflection (5 minutes)

• Briefly note how your choices in alien design influenced the interaction challenges in your scene.
• Consider one way the first contact scenario might evolve based on the miscommunications or cultural elements you introduced.

Remember to focus on creating believable, nuanced interactions that emerge organically from the unique traits of your alien species and the inherent challenges of first contact scenarios.

Conclusion

Creating compelling alien interactions in your science fiction or fantasy writing requires careful consideration of various elements, from first contact scenarios to ongoing cultural exchanges. To create fascinating alien species, delve into communication challenges, power dynamics, and cultural differences.

When designing aliens, remember to balance creativity and internal consistency. This means letting their culture grow naturally from their core traits and environment. When creating your alien species, think about how their unique traits would influence their interactions with humans. Use these ideas to create an engaging and thought-provoking story.

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