I want everybody to welcome my wonderful friend Danica Cornell. I love her like a sister so please pay attention and leave your comments. Give her your undivided attention because she really has something to tell you.
——————————-
Before I begin, I’d like to thank my dear friend, Shirley Slaughter, for inviting me to appear as a guest on her blog. Shirley and I met several months ago through Rave Reviews Book Club, and I can honestly say she’s one of the kindest and most supportive author-friends I’ve come across to date. It also doesn’t hurt that she’s a talented writer! Many thanks, Shirley. I’m truly honored to be here today.
For those of you who don’t know me, I’m both a writer and long-time fan of science fiction—not just because of its sexy, futuristic technologies, but also because of its exploration into the really hard questions, like, why are we here and are we alone? In fact, it’s been through my immersion in this genre’s boundary-pushing plots that I’ve come to understand something which first glance, may seem counterintuitive. And yes, as you may have surmised by the title of this post, it has to do with aliens.
So here it is—the unvarnished truth. You know all those stories about humans coming into contact with aliens? Well, I’m here to tell you, they’re actually more about us than them. I know it sounds a little crazy. Or maybe even a lot crazy. But from my perspective, these larger-than-life extraterrestrials—the ones who light up our imaginations—are actually carefully crafted teachers with important messages for each and every one of us.
Allow me to explain…
Bad Aliens
When you think about it, malevolent extraterrestrials, (i.e., The Bad Guys), such as the one depicted in the post-apocalyptic film, Oblivion (2013), remind us of the inherent darkness in human greed and corruption. Why? Because in a sense, alien characters who invade our planet and harm the masses, can be thought of as metaphors for unchecked human greed. Expanding on this, it could even be suggested that some of today’s behemoth corporate entities behave like ill-intentioned aliens. How so? In the way they “invade” the lives and consciousness of people through resource acquisition and advertising, while simultaneously “killing” others through downsizing, outsourcing, and unethical, (although legal) tax practices.
Having said this, with Oblivion’s global alien overlord and rampant use of drone technology, there’s little doubt many see this movie as a politically-motivated. I personally view it as a sociopolitical allegorical tale, but either way, one thing’s for certain. Such stories have the power to rattle and awaken us—but only after their hidden messages are revealed to us, in a way we as individuals understand to be true. Of course such films may have more obvious messages as well, but it’s in peeling back the layers and considering the time in history each screenplay (or novel) is written and consumed, that we really begin to get at the heart of the alien-teacher matter.
Of course, not all extraterrestrials have been portrayed as enemies of humanity, which brings me to my next point.
Good Aliens
I believe it’s been through science fiction’s benevolent alien characters, (i.e., The Good Guys), that we’ve been given opportunities to see things about ourselves which we might otherwise want to forget. For example, behaviors like no longer questioning authority or losing our sense of wonder amidst a sea of adult responsibilities, were the themes explored in the Hollywood blockbuster, E.T. (1982). You remember that one, right? Where the friendly alien wanted to “phone home”? I was pretty young when that movie came out, but even then, it was clear the adult characters in this story had lost touch with their own sense of wonder.
The E.T. character was extraordinarily kind and gentle and posed no threat to humankind. As such, he taught me not to alienate others simply because they are different. In his unique way, he nudged me in the direction of remaining open-minded, divergent-thinking, caring, and truth-seeking. But perhaps most significantly, E.T. reminded me that all of sci-fi’s aliens are really teachers with profound messages for each and every one of us.
I wonder if the same is true about the real extraterrestrials.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Danica Cornell is the author of the forthcoming DARK STAR Sci-fi/Fantasy Series, soon to be published by Cool Geek Books. To learn more about Danica’s work, her love of dogs, and her support of UNICEF, please visit her website at www.danicacornell.com.
CONNECT WITH DANICA:
Danica’s Website: http://www.danicacornell.com
Danica’s Blog: http://danica-cornell.com/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/DanicaCornell
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorDanicaCornell
You Tube: https://www.youtube.com/user/DanicaCornellChannel/
Danica Cornell is a proud member of RAVE REVIEWS BOOK CLUB.
Shirley Harris-Slaughter 
Fascinating post, Danica. This topic always intrigues me. I love reading people’s take and opinions on aliens. It always makes for an enlightening/entertaining read. 🙂
Shirley, I’m so glad you shared your blog with Danica. Thank you!
LikeLike
Marlena, its a pleasure hosting Dani. We made this reservation months ago. I need to do this more often because there is a bit of traffic just on this topic. Thanks for stopping by.
Congrats Danica.
LikeLike
I don’t usually read (or watch) sci-fi, but if I think about it as metaphor it takes on a whole new appeal. Great post.
LikeLike
Hi Wendy, thank you! I really do love the lessons and metaphors in science fiction. As both a producer and consumer of sci-fi, I find this aspect of the genre to be uber important. xoxo 🙂
LikeLike
Interesting post. I love talking about aliens and debating. If aliens even existed, could they look like humans? Or, even if they didn’t look in the least like us, could they have similar emotions? I believe, yes to both questions, but there’s a lot of Sci Fi authors who disagree with me, lol.
LikeLike
Hi Dale! I actually agree with you. I think they could resemble us – like humanoids. Of course there could be other extraterrestrial beings who are completely different. My feeling is diversity “out there” is quite probable. Thanks for your comments. xoxo 🙂
LikeLike
I’m glad you think so too.
LikeLike
Hi Dale – they may not look like us, but I take the approach that they have a lot more in common with us than we might think. For instance, my new book opens with one of my protaganists stuck in traffic on his way to work. (Hint: He’s not driving a car!) Cheers!
LikeLike
David, that’s so cool!!! 🙂
LikeLike
I agree, David, and I think it makes writing worlds and characters so much more fun.
LikeLike
Great post Danica – and I agree with your points wholeheartedly. The truly wonderful thing about sci-fi is that we can actually learn about ourselves, while enjoying the “wild ride through the stars” or whatever the story’s premise is. I too, am finishing up the first book in a sci-fi series (although mine is a rather light-hearted romp). I look forward to reading yours when it’s released!
Cheers!
David
LikeLike
Hi David, thanks so much for sharing your thoughts here! The learning that seems to go hand-in-hand with sci-fi is one of the reasons I love the genre so much. In fact, if you were to ask my family how much I like to learn, they’d probably roll their eyes and scream, “Too much!” Lol!!! Anyway, I just checked out your website, and I want to tell you, it is Awesome! Oh, and by the way, I’m REALLY looking forward to reading your book/s as well. xoxo 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks for the kind words about my web site, Danica! I really need to spend some time updating it (and writing more blogs!) – I’ve just been hyper-focused on writing and letting everything else go! Ah well…that’s the way of it sometimes! lol
LikeLike
What a lovey post! One of the many reasons why I love science fiction is that it’s never about the future: it’s always about us, and what we imagine the consequences of our actions today will be. I have yet to read a sci-fi book that’s not a commentary on current affairs.
I’m looking forward to reading Danica’s book!
LikeLike
Aw, thanks, Nicholas! You’ve definitely hit the nail on the head here with your comments. As a writer of science fiction, I do feel a certain level of social responsibility, even though my primary goal is to entertain readers. Thanks again for your comments. xoxo 🙂
LikeLike
Nicholas thanks for stopping by and supporting Danica. Truer words were never spoken. Sci-Fi is a fascinating subject because there is always something to learn about ourselves and our future. I’m glad you like the post.
LikeLike
Reblogged this on Blog of Author Danica Cornell and commented:
Hey everyone, here’s my latest guest post, featured on SHIRLEY SLAUGHTER’S Blog. It’s about what Science Fiction’s Alien Characters might be trying to teach all of us. My sincere thanks to Shirley for featuring me on her blog. Please do take a moment to stop by and check out Shirley’s wonderful site.
LikeLike
Yes Danica, we were afraid and giddy at the same time because it truly looked like a UFO to us.
LikeLike
That’s understandable! I think in my case I was simply transfixed. I just couldn’t believe I was seeing what I was seeing.
LikeLike
This is a great post. I was in the car with my parents when the incident in Roswell, NM took place. My mom saw something in the sky that night as we drove across New Mexico. I also saw something one night as my sister and I sat on our front porch. You cannot convince me that it was anything other than a UFO.
LikeLike
Kathryn, when my son was very small I had him enrolled in karate classes alone with his cousins. On the way home one night we saw something bright in the night sky. We kept looking at it. It was just hovering it seems. It definitely looked like something from another world.
LikeLike
Wow, Shirley! Were you afraid? If you read my response to Kathryn, you’ll learn about my recent UFO sighting. This occurred roughly three months ago. It really is great to be able to share such experiences with one another! xoxo 🙂
LikeLike
Hi Kathryn, thanks for your comments! It’s so refreshing to hear you speak openly about this topic. I recently saw a UFO myself. No kidding! It was a singular ball of light, moving around in an erratic fashion. It was off in the distance, but he way in which it changed directions wasn’t like any human-created technology I’m aware of. Something is going on. Is it alien visitors? Is it advanced military aircraft? Did we reverse-engineer alien technology? Did they willingly share this with us? I’m not sure. Still, I have a feeling the truth will come out one day. xoxo 🙂
LikeLike
What an interesting topic. Your take on aliens make a lot of sense. Is that book ready yet? I must say you are working us up into a frenzy waiting for it. lol
LikeLike
Hi Shirley! Again, thanks for having me. 🙂 To answer your question, the book is being thoroughly combed through right now. Since this is a series, I have to make sure I’m setting up the characters and story world in a logical manner. Although many of the ideas for each novel came about rather easily (and quickly), I’ve made a point to carefully plot out this series. As I see it, the genre of science fiction provides a unique opportunity to present possible future real-world scenarios to readers. Although I see my primary role as providing entertainment, I think there’s an educational/informational component to what I do as well. As such, I’m making sure I get this right. Of course I’ll announce everywhere when this is released! LOL! 🙂
LikeLike