Other Than Human

I am fascinated by the idea of there being people other than human beings.  I take the notion seriously and ponder the connotations.  My fancy inspired me to realize that our humanity is the smallest yet most distinct and important aspect about out being.  It is neither our form nor our intellect that makes us human.  It is not our ability to speak, feel or even imagine that defines us.  We are a creature gifted with the power to transcend beyond the sum of our parts.  We can be for better or for worse to any agree we strive for.

I create fictional races and entities that are not human or are only partially human.  I craft them purposefully and mindfully.  They are always meant to clarify the human condition by themselves being distinct from humanity.  Typically, these non-humans or partial humans are superior to human beings in the sums of their parts.  Stronger, smarter, faster, tougher: the natural standard of individual quality.  My human hero is most often weaker, slower and not as smart as the non-humans yet is somehow beyond them.  A human hero may fail and lose but so long as he or she never loses heart, his or her effort is never in vain.  He or she proves inspiring and always finds a way.

Being human of itself is merely potential.  The unrelenting effort must be made if one is to realize his or her humanity.  Because it is easier to sit than to stand, most of us never rise to the occasion.  Because my other-than-humans are typically stronger, smarter, faster and tougher than humans, they are naturally superior.  I draw this distinction as a testimony of demonstration that indifference resigns the indifferent to being no more than the paltry sum of their parts: mortal and only human.  Such masses are doomed to terminal, anonymous mediocrity.  Their fate is insignificance.

All good art and literature are about what it is to be human.  Our fictional races and entities are only relevant if they give us insight into ourselves.  At their best, they are a fresh perspective.  I highly recommend them.

https://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/ShawnOToole