Uplift Your Animal

[MilesGX]

What if in the future, there is a genetic engineer company, which can make pet owners' pet animals become human, talk, or intelligent? And not just pet animals, maybe wild ones too if authorized. For the purpose, some owners might feel lonely or outcast, which could lead them into desires of wanting their pets to become near human companions. Some may had lost relatives or children and want their pets to replace them. Or for a taboo twist, a owner lost a lover and decide to make his pet his new lover. All this just to make animals become capable companions, workers, and lovers to humans. It is the owners' decision if they want their pets to become like them. What do you think?

[Haggis]

What do you think?

I think I'll go back to work.

[IdiotsRUs]

Finally, Booga can become a reality!!

[Dawnstorm]

Nah, my cat, Puck, is fine as he is. Uplifting? The metaphor, IMO, is humanist egocentricsm. Think of your pet as an alien and learn to get along.

[DWSTXS]

I think that pets are advanced souls anyway, put here to help us through our lives.

They offer unselfish, unconditional love. Humans can't/don't/fail to do that, therefore, to do anything to pets to make them more like us is dumbing them down.

I vote No.

[sheadakota]

now why would I want to do something that cruel to something I love?

[dpaterso]

Just what I need, a woman who just wants to curl up and sleep all day, and hisses if I touch her. Thanks, I've already got one of those.

-Derek

[poetinahat]

Or for a taboo twist, a owner lost a lover and decide to make his pet his new lover.
Not too different from Pygmalion or Bride of Frankenstein.

Does your question have anything to do with writing, or are you just curious? I reckon the best way to find out would be to write the story, see who reads it, and ask what they think. But write the story first.

A good story doesn't need a gimmick; it needs good writing. I'd concentrate on that aspect of things.

If you're asking this question just for the heck of it, then this thread belongs in Office Party.

[ChaosTitan]

If you're asking this question just for the heck of it, then this thread belongs in Office Party.


*was wondering the same thing, but Poet beat me to it*

[Toothpaste]

I wouldn't be a fan. I like the status in owning a housepet. I wouldn't want to have to discuss my decisions with my cat. I like how animals love you unconditionally (well as long as you are good to them), and how they feel things in very straightforward ways, when they are happy they are happy, sad when sad, hungry etc. That's what I like about animals. In fact most of the time I wish I could just be like a cat and curl up in the sun all day, no worries no responsiblities. I would't wish my conflicted crazy brain on any poor unsuspecting animals.

[ChunkyC]

David Brin's Uplift books are great reads, but I wouldn't want to do that to my cats. They're already smarter than I am anyway. Just look at them: don't have to work, sleep whenever and wherever they want. My furry boys can even open the fridge, the clever little bastids.

Okay, they're not actually strong enough, but they know how it's done and they keep trying. :D

[Matera the Mad]

Me, I'd like to see a few so-called humans get their feces together and become aware of what is around them. :tongue

[MilesGX]

I wouldn't want to uplift my pet either. I'll have to teach my pet how to do human stuff and teach it how to clean up after it's self too. Talking animals would be cool, unless they can get ignoring. This thread is base on both writing idea and poll vote.

[Ravenlocks]

The beauty of animals is that they're not human. Why would I want to change that?

[Rolling Thunder]

I'm an animal and I enjoy lifting my leg.

[MilesGX]

In reality, the government wouldn't allow this to happen.

[ChaosTitan]

Hell, the government's probably already funding it.

[DWSTXS]

Michael Crichton's last book, about cloning, featured a chimp (orangatang, monkey, whatever) that developed the ability to speak.

[Phaeal]

I remember a short story like this in one of Ellison's Dangerous Visions anthologies. Except having your intelligent pet as a lover was still considered bestiality by most people, and hence contemptible.

[yappo]

Heck no!

I hate the critters with a passion -- why on earth would I want to have to explain the reasoning behind my shoving them out of my way?

Sten

[lute]

For some reason the idea terrifies me. I vote no.

[Sonneillon]

My husband and I already joke about how if my familiar was human, she'd have a big lesbian crush on me. Personally, I'd love it if she could talk. We could share all sorts of things, and I'd have company other than the booger when my husband's not home. Of course, I'd have to quit shooing her off the couch whenever I want to sit down, but I'm willing to make some sacrifices for a friend. I voted yes.