There is not a single object in modern society that does not have a name. Everything is labeled, categorized, and must fit certain criteria. A desk is a large flat surface on which one can write or have a computer. There are many kinds of desks: desks with drawers or without, desks with multiple legs or one large base, or desks with shelving units and chairs built in. We all have very clear ideas as to what a desk is, but what actually separates it from a table? It might be the intended purpose, the room where it is placed, or possibly the lack of storage space. Objects and variations of objects are the backbone of commercial life, but sometimes the line drawn between definitions of two object become blurry. A study conducted in 1996 by Paul C. Quinn and Peter D. Eimas tested if young children ages 3-4 performed the same categorization that we see in adult minds. This study found that when these children were exposed to multiple groups of horses, fish, and humans their reactions to each became less and less pronounced. While in the horse group, if a child is shown a fish, there is some interest, but not as much interest as when shown a novel horse. This peaking of interest demonstrates the categorization of both horses and fish, yet the recognition of seeing a novel horse as opposed to a plain fish. The process of categorization occurs already at such an early age, and is the basis for cognitive and linguistic learning as one matures. This process is also seen in the many creation stories of humans that explain natural phenomena such as falling rain, the cycles of the moon and sun, the existence of rainbows, etc. These attempts to understand the natural world are so innately human that they are present from birth to death. This curiosity made manifest takes the form of the scientific method.  Herbert Schenk’s “Send Me a Kiss by Wire,” Gordon Dickson’s “Dolphin’s Way,” and Raymond Gallun’s “Davey Jones’s Ambassador” all comment on the multifaceted pursuit and purpose of science.

“Send Me a Kiss by Wire” follows a team pursuit to capture a living giant squid specimen, and the disaster that follows. Throughout a press conference, the author illustrates two distinct attitudes towards science. The entertainment-focused side is seen through a reporters comments about the gigantic penis of the giant squid, and the more serious and ambitious side is seen through the head scientist herself as she struggles to direct the attention back to the “true” meaning and value in the potential discovery. As the first giant squid comes into view, the author describes the scientists amazing fascination and awe at the being, demonstrating the fulfillment and promise scientific pursuits can bring. Later on as the leviathan wreaks havoc to free her smaller male counterpart, one man dramatically states “What is the price of wonder, anyway? It’s everything, Emily, everything!” Though Dickson has shown the reader the wonder and accomplishment of science, he also writes about the futility of it and the price it demands.

“Dolphin’s Way” describes a young man attempting to break down the language barrier between humans and dolphins. He believes this achievement is a stepping stone towards communication with extra-terrestrial beings, and will prove the human race worthy. The program he is serving is threatened to close, and in one desperate attempt he joins the dolphin in the water and has a communicative epiphany. When he is finally greeted by the alien race he wanted to meet, he discovers that the dolphins themselves have been trying to contact the humans, and they are the superior race. This earlier portion of the story shows the curiosity and drive of humans for scientific advancement, yet twists at the end showing that humans are not the only conscious creatures on earth as well as not the most advanced creatures. The story closes with an emphasis on not just the worth of scientific endeavors, but the value of society and intention.

“Davey Jones’s Ambassador” describes the capture of a deep-sea scientist by a race of unknown but clearly intelligent underwater life forms. They observe him as he struggles to survive, and he comes into contact with one who describes itself as “The Student.” The Student has been studying the human race for some time, and orchestrates a hidden escape with the man. They surface, and the Student submits itself to human observation despite the risks involved. Once again, this story exhibits life as if not more intelligent than the human race. They pursue knowledge through science in a similar manner, and explain that we are not alone in our search.

Though curiosity and categorization are innate human traits, perhaps they are not exclusively human. These are all works of fiction, but they explore what it means to be scientific beings, and what it might be like to come into contact with other scientific beings. Perhaps we will be able to set aside our notions of superiority as a species, or doom ourselves to dark-age-style life confined to land on Earth.