I’ve been digging through some old files and papers recently, partly prompted by sorting out the loft and also various hard disks with backups of documents and photos.
Amongst the papers I found this fun piece that I wrote back in 1994: A Speculative Paper on Xenomorph Biology.
I wrote it whilst watching a re-run of Alien shortly after finishing my degree. I got to wondering: what if we took the events in the films at face-value, what could we then guess about the Alien’s biology and origin? Reading it back now has made me wince quite a bit. Younger me needed an editor. I think I was trying for the feel of an academic paper or report, but its also obviously part science fiction story.
Despite it being a bit sketchy — and clear evidence as to why I never built a career as a writer! — it’s stood up pretty well I think. Even against the revelations in Prometheus. My fictional scientist even guessed that the “Space Jockey” (as its now called) was there as part of a terra-forming team, and that they were over-run by their own engineered, bio-mechanical servants.
For some better informed attempts at applying science to scifi/fantasy then you might want to look at “Godzilla from a Zoological Perspective” (why isn’t it free?!) or “The pyrophysiology and sexuality of Dragons“. The former is a semi-serious paper, while the latter was published on 1st April 2002. Also, check the lead authors name.
Anyway, thought I’d post that as a bit of fun for a Friday evening. Have a good weekend.
Lost Boy 