Afar Quote by Seth Shostak
“Nine out of 10 Hollywood aliens look like us. Oh, sure, they might be short, big-eyed and hairless - decked out in skin smoother than gourmet prosciutto. But really, these creatures from afar are usually so anthropomorphic (aside from their grey complexions), they could pass for hominid relatives, freshly flushed from some cryptic jungle habitat.”
About This Quote
Source Interview: The Cosmic Perspective, Seth Shostak, 2015
Humans often imagine extraterrestrials as vastly different, yet many depictions resemble us, reflecting our tendency to anthropomorphize the unknown.
In simple terms: Aliens are often imagined like humans.
Key Takeaway
Recognize bias when envisioning the unknown.
Themes
anthropomorphism
media
perception
bias
imagination
Mood
curious
reflective
Type
observational
critical
When to use this quote
- science fiction design
- public outreach
- education
- creative writing
Key Concepts
cognitive bias
cultural projection
media influence
Questions to Reflect On
- How does our self‑image shape alien concepts?
- What would truly alien look like?
A Different Perspective
Human traits dominate alien design, limiting creative diversity.
