Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

> This feels very shallow and wrong.

It’s a comedic short story, not a dissertation on the powers of reasoning of undiscovered alien species. Rule of funny trumps accuracy.

https://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/RuleOfFunny

It’s important to remember science fiction tends to explore and make a commentary on the human aspect. The best stories aren’t about new technology, but its implications and effects on the human condition.

With that view, you could read this story as a commentary on humans themselves. We also don’t fully understand other species and are often astonished by what we discover. Above all, we can be incompetent and make mistakes. Remember the myth that “bees shouldn’t be able to fly”?

https://www.iflscience.com/the-strange-myth-that-bees-should...

> Surely an super intelligent alien species (…) would (…)

> The surprising thing to them would (…)

> They would wonder (…)

Sounds like you have your own ideas for a different short story.




People: "How dare this short story underestimate what aliens could imagine"

Also people: "AI will never be as intelligent and capable has humans are"




Consider applying for YC's Spring batch! Applications are open till Feb 11.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: