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Letter: These scary aliens aren't even remotely feasible (1)

Published 31 July 2024

From John Reynolds, Canonbie, Dumfries and Galloway, UK

Having watched the first two A Quiet Place films, and reading Douglas Vakoch’s lament about the irrational fears raised by the portrayal of scary extraterrestrials in the third film, I wonder if I am alone in believing these blind movie aliens aren’t even remotely likely? Sharp-eared enough to hear a picture frame smash a mile away, but not the heartbeat of a person in the same basement? No sonar, but they can get down stairs? Unable to cross water, but space is no problem(6 July, p 21)?

The only credible explanation is that they are a genetically engineered weapon. Given the capabilities of modern robots and artificial intelligence, I would be more frightened of something like this emerging from one of our labs than landing from space.

Issue no. 3502 published 3 August 2024

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