Live Virtual Group Session: 6PM EST November 20th 2023

24 Comments

Thank you to everyone who joined us for this session!

For this session we read an excerpt from a story “The Great Silence” by Ted Chiang, posted below.

Our prompt was: “Write about a call from the wild.”

More details will be posted on this session, so check back again!

Participants are warmly encouraged to share what you wrote below (“Leave a Reply”), to keep the conversation going here, bearing in mind that the blog of course is a public space where confidentiality is not assured.

Also, we would love to learn more about your experience of these sessions, so if you’re able, please take the time to fill out a follow-up survey of one to two quick questions!

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Please join us for our next session Monday November 27th at 6pm EST, with more times listed on our Live Virtual Group Sessions.

 "The Great Silence" by Ted Chiang

The humans use Arecibo to look for extraterrestrial intelligence. Their desire to make a connection is so strong that they’ve created an ear capable of hearing across the universe.

But I and my fellow parrots are right here. Why aren’t they interested in listening to our voices?

We’re a non-human species capable of communicating with them. Aren’t we exactly what humans are looking for?

The universe is so vast that intelligent life must surely have arisen many times. The universe is also so old that even one technological species would have had time to expand and fill the galaxy. Yet there is no sign of life anywhere except on Earth. Humans call this the Fermi paradox.

One proposed solution to the Fermi paradox is that intelligent species actively try to conceal their presence, to avoid being targeted by hostile invaders.

Speaking as a member of a species that has been driven nearly to extinction by humans, I can attest that this is a wise strategy.

It makes sense to remain quiet and avoid attracting attention.

The humans use Arecibo to look for extraterrestrial intelligence. Their desire to make a connection is so strong that they’ve created an ear capable of hearing across the universe.

But I and my fellow parrots are right here. Why aren’t they interested in listening to our voices?

We’re a non-human species capable of communicating with them. Aren’t we exactly what humans are looking for?

The universe is so vast that intelligent life must surely have arisen many times. The universe is also so old that even one technological species would have had time to expand and fill the galaxy. Yet there is no sign of life anywhere except on Earth. Humans call this the Fermi paradox.

One proposed solution to the Fermi paradox is that intelligent species actively try to conceal their presence, to avoid being targeted by hostile invaders.

Speaking as a member of a species that has been driven nearly to extinction by humans, I can attest that this is a wise strategy.

It makes sense to remain quiet and avoid attracting attention.

Credit: “The Great Silence” by Ted Chiang from THE BEST AMERICAN SCIENCE FICTION AND FANTASY 2016 published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt. Copyright © 2015 by Ted Chiang.

24 thoughts on “Live Virtual Group Session: 6PM EST November 20th 2023”

  1. rehavia6's avatar rehavia6

    Write About the Call of the Wild

    Nature calls me to open all my senses .
    On my way to work, through the busy streets of New York City
    I tune into the rustle of the trees, the chirps of the birds, the smell of flowers
    The vibrant colors of the seasonal blossoms and falling leaves.
    The feel of the morning dew on my skin.
    These moments are necessary before I respond to the call of the wild of my patients in the emergency room.

    Liked by 1 person

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  2. Rita B's avatar Rita B

    A call from the wild
    By Rita Basuray

    “The” call from the wild is not what I thought it would be. It was 4am and the haunting sounds of over 20 lions and tigers voicing their angst woke me up. I knew they were in enclosed spaces, so I opened the door to our cottage, to take in the glorious cacophony. To hear such sounds, not in South Africa, but at the border of Missouri and Arkansas (I think), was incredible. We rented a cottage at a rescue center for a night and a cat …

    Rest of the story – I was typing and slow – I couldn’t get to the actual story. As I was listening to big cats, I saw a pair of eyes dashing towards me – I was worried until the creature politely said “miaoww!” and darted into our warm room. Can’t help but add – this is a rescue organization – one can stay overnight. Our window opened into an enclosure with a rescued white tiger – who purred and greeted us. Magical!
    https://www.turpentinecreek.org/
    https://lodging.turpentinecreek.org/

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  3. al3793's avatar al3793

    A call from the wild…

    “It finally happened!”
    “Who is this?”
    “I can’t believe it! Arecibo finally heard something!”
    “Who is this?!”
    “Alex would be thrilled!”
    “Who is this, and what did it hear? It has been listening for decades and has never heard a thing!”
    “Oh, it has been hearing things. Arecibo knows how to listen to the silence, but today what it heard had form. In the midst of the silence, in between the static of the universe, it hears the constant hum of the forces of whatever brings life into existence. But today, Arecibo heard something breathe and it saw something ever so subtle change on the canvas of the night sky.”
    “And then these words appeared across it’s monitor, “We are not alone.”

    Liked by 1 person

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    • michele348's avatar michele348

      Sometimes as patients, we wonder if anyone is truly “hearing” us… listening to the silence between our words. For in the silence, there is much to be learned. The patient seeks to be “heard’ and if this is accomplished, the patient knows he does not walk alone on his journey. And that makes all the difference.

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    • Trisha Lawson's avatar Trisha Lawson

      I loved the idea of being able to listen to and comprehend what silence is saying. That silence, is a an important, often frustrating, sometimes terrifying, and in appropriate timing, welcome component of our communication. A lot happens in silence, the moments between, the pause between beats. Thank-you for sharing.

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  4. michele348's avatar michele348

    About a call from the wild~~~

    I looked into his eyes… there was fear and hesitation as if he was saying to me, “Should I trust this Human who has destroyed and killed so many in my world?”

    I stood there quietly, he looking at me, me looking at him.
    I told him I meant him no harm
    and that I was sorry for what his kind had suffered
    at the hands of humans.
    As he sat there motionless and with a somewhat puzzled expression,
    I also told him that we humans have a lot to learn about compassion and kindness
    and taking care of the creatures on Mother Earth
    who have so much to teach us,
    if only we pause to look and listen.

    I sensed the two of us had reached a sort of common agreement as he slowly moved away back into the brush.
    I know my heart has been warmed by this experience and I hope, in some small way, my words touched his heart.
    See you next time, my friend.

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  5. Trisha Lawson's avatar Trisha Lawson

    Algonquin Wolf howl crackles the autumn air, under swirls of the Milky Way, so thick, like a blanket hanging overhead, at midnight it should be pitch black, but the way to the lookout is lit overhead by an improbable, line of precision placed beacons tracing forward – SkyLink sattelites reminding me that I am not as alone as I thought I should be, following my friends footsteps across the field in the silent crisp September night.

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    • michele348's avatar michele348

      Trisha, a very sensory piece..I can hear the wolf howling and see the twinkling lights in the sky on a chilly September night. Thanks for taking us along with you!

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    • al3793's avatar al3793

      Trisha,
      Your speaker provides and image that I imagine the Arecibo telescope scans the heavens to see. The piece is so visual, “like a blanket hanging overhead, at midnight it should be pitch black, but the way to the lookout is lit overhead by an improbable, line of precision placed beacons tracing forward.” It is interesting how a number of contributors this evening observed that, “I/we are not alone.”

      Andre

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  6. Elizabeth's avatar Elizabeth

    A mother gets a call from her wild heart,
    She must go to her son.
    Traveling through the obstacles,
    Finding her son settled in the unsettled,
    She is able to calm her wild heart.

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    • michele348's avatar michele348

      The bond between mother and child is a strong one, capable of surmounting obstacles that life throws in its way. Thanks for reminding us, Elizabeth.

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    • al3793's avatar al3793

      Elizabeth,

      I hear your speaker telling me that settling in the unsettled, being able to embrace the adventure of life settles us down and at the same time elevates us.
      I often contemplate the heart of a mother. Maybe it the wildness of it that makes it so courageous.

      I missed you last night and I am glad you weighed in. I love Ted Chaing’s (et al) story.

      Andre

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      • Elizabeth's avatar Elizabeth

        Andre, thanks for your feedback. I always appreciate that you take the time to share your thoughts. I am on a different time zone now for a little while that precludes attendance, but will still try to respond to the prompt.

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      • al3793's avatar al3793

        Elizabeth, we have a special space and special group here and I am glad you continue to check in when you can’t attend. I appreciate your insights and the generosity with which you share it. Seeing the richness of this blog is a joy. Andre

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  7. Elizabeth's avatar Elizabeth

    Andre, thanks for reaching out again. I agree with all your comments. This community is a special one to me.
    As we approach Thanksgiving, I have much gratitude.
    Wishing everyone a peaceful holiday.

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