Sci-Fi and Fantasy always shows what wonder lie in alien worlds
what would aliens find to marvel about the earth?
Artistic license is perfectly acceptable--and expected.
I will start.
Earth's mammals, reptiles and amphibians all have their counterparts in the galactic community of races. But one thing draws our alien brothers to earth in utter amazement: birds.
Birds (and feathers) are unique to the earth. Breeders export thousands of birds each year throughout the galaxy. The wealthy keep living birds as a status symbols due to the sheer expense (canaries for export are about a million dollars each). But at least 13 alien worlds have genetically adapted earth birds for release into their ecosystems.
The galactic races buy not just birds, but feathers. Reptilians are especially fascinated with them. Chicken farms have found a new cash crop, and human pillow manufacturers have been bid out of the market entirely. Ostrich ranchers have opened up new spreads on terraformed Mars hoping for bigger birds and bigger feathers.
Human embassies typically run an attached aviary/museum as a goodwill gesture. Human ship captains often keep a few songbirds in case they need an expensive bribe.
One war was nearly fought over birds, the T'krell took offense to the human holiday of Thanksgiving. It seems the turkey's featherless head looks just like theirs! It took some quick diplomacy and a pair of peacocks to quell the situation.
It seems all those eco-laws of the twentieth and twentyfirst centuries paid off.
what would aliens find to marvel about the earth?
Artistic license is perfectly acceptable--and expected.
I will start.
Earth's mammals, reptiles and amphibians all have their counterparts in the galactic community of races. But one thing draws our alien brothers to earth in utter amazement: birds.
Birds (and feathers) are unique to the earth. Breeders export thousands of birds each year throughout the galaxy. The wealthy keep living birds as a status symbols due to the sheer expense (canaries for export are about a million dollars each). But at least 13 alien worlds have genetically adapted earth birds for release into their ecosystems.
The galactic races buy not just birds, but feathers. Reptilians are especially fascinated with them. Chicken farms have found a new cash crop, and human pillow manufacturers have been bid out of the market entirely. Ostrich ranchers have opened up new spreads on terraformed Mars hoping for bigger birds and bigger feathers.
Human embassies typically run an attached aviary/museum as a goodwill gesture. Human ship captains often keep a few songbirds in case they need an expensive bribe.
One war was nearly fought over birds, the T'krell took offense to the human holiday of Thanksgiving. It seems the turkey's featherless head looks just like theirs! It took some quick diplomacy and a pair of peacocks to quell the situation.
It seems all those eco-laws of the twentieth and twentyfirst centuries paid off.
