We’re astonished by your biological science. You’ve achieved much and understood little. The mechanics, yes, you grip that, but not what life is. Probably, you absorb it as “red in tooth and claw” because each of you are alone in your bodies, in a struggle of each against all.
So, you don’t taste the obvious—community. Evolution stopped for you at the extraordinary community of cells that is a body. Yet examples of the next stage are all around you: lichens, bees, forests, ecosystems. Life cooperates. But your drive to see only individuals is strong.
Welcome to the galaxy.
.
Friday fictioneers is a weekly challenge set by Rochelle Wisoff Fields to write a 100-word story in response to a photo prompt. You can find other stories here
Neil MacDonald Author 
Expert summation of the problems we have as a race, Neil.
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Thanks so much, CE
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Welcome to the galaxy. Do stars cooperate to form them?
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They do
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We are a self-centered bunch…..
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Perhaps not in every manifestation of our cultures
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Loved your take 💜
Welcome to the galaxy ✨️
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Thanks so much, Maggie
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Dear Neil.
Of course we think we’re superior. Live long and prosper.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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May the farce be with you
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🤣
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a lot of social psychology layered in this – nice Neil
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Thanks so much, Prior
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I love how this reframes our scientific achievements as mere ‘mechanics,’ – we are far too egocentric. And a great nod to Tennyson here too Neil 🙌
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Thanks so much
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Still, no one can explain; why?
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Why isn’t really a scientific question. But how is. and there are some pretty compelling ideas there
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I agree. ‘Why’ opens up so many illogical debates that I avoid.
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Why is the province of theology
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Why is not a question, it is the search for a reason.
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Neil, you said a lot in 100 words. And until we decide to see, we are doomed. That’s not to say some don’t see, just not enough.
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Thanks so much, Lisa
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You’re very welcome.
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Achieved much and understood little. Sad fact well expressed, Neil.
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Thanks so much. Jilly
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Wow, there is a clear view of our competitive extincts. Says it all really. Love an alien’s point of view.
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They are useful sometimes, aliens, in helping us see ourselves better
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Agreed!
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this is deep. i need to read it three times to get a sense of it.
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I hope it was worthwhile
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Love this! I’ve been thinking a lot about community lately too – it can be a way toward happiness, yet we resist it at times. It’s true that nature tries to show us these things but we don’t notice often enough. Aliens are much smarter.
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Thanks so much, Sheila
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What an interesting take. Good one, Neil.
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Thanks so much, Chris
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