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Predator Planet

 

Journal Entry 20th day on the 7th month in the year 2024 

"From the moment we were placed together in the tranquil papyrus pool, my heart was captivated by you. Your inquisitive playfulness beside me ignited a spark that soared like a flare across the Asterious night sky. The gaze from your large eyes pierced my heart, and I found myself smitten by sweet emotions I never knew existed. Since then, you've been my perfect companion, a partnership beyond my wildest dreams. Every moment in your presence is a cherished gift, and I am in a constant state of endless gratitude for us. Today, as we celebrate our nine hundred and ninety-nine years together, I marvel at how swiftly time has passed as we journeyed through the skies, bringing much-needed seawater to the moons and sister planets. May our love inspire all who witness it. Happy anniversary, my beloved."

 

Just Another Day, Not

My name is AriMada 3057901, and I've always had a passion for flying ever since I was a child. There's an indescribable joy in soaring through the air. Instead of merely pursuing happiness, we are taught from a young age to integrate our love for life into our daily behavior. This is the tale of an exceptionally peculiar and very strange event that stranded us in a far, faraway galaxy.

 

We embarked on what seemed to be a routine water transport distribution to a nearby moon, but today marked a significant departure: it was the inaugural flight of our latest aircraft, the Stellar Vanus 01001001. Approved for operation just days ago, this spaceship stands as a marvel—the most advanced our aerospace engineers have produced, demonstrating exceptional performance in rigorous simulations. The Stellar Vanus epitomizes the latest innovations, featuring an incredibly intuitive navigation system and every conceivable comfort an Asterite pilot could desire, though our needs are typically very modest.

 

Two of us embarked on the maiden voyage of the Stellar Vanus. The other pilot is my beloved life partner, known as MuttuEve 3057903. We were paired as younglings, and interestingly, we share the same birth date approximately 2,700 Earth years ago. That afternoon, there were three Asterites born, including the two of us. While we were aware of 3057902 from the school attendance sheet, we never truly connected with them, nor do I recall their assigned name upon graduation.

 

On our planet, it is customary for compatible couples to collaborate closely together. Research shows that such pairs contribute to society by fostering emotional and physical bonds that sustain a continuous state of happiness known as 'conentis.' This term reflects harmony and mutual support, where each complements the other. Every day, we reflect on our values of simplicity, peace, integrity, community, equality, and stewardship—these principles enrich our lives profoundly and serve as the bedrock of our society. By adhering to these ethical standards, we have peacefully coexisted for millions of years. When MuttuEve and I were introduced in a papyrus pool, the elders quickly saw that we were a perfect match. Over time, we have proven to be a deeply affectionate and loving couple, successfully performing complicated technical tasks together in running advanced aircraft for the AFA - Asterious Flight Alliance.

 

Wrinkle in Space

Muttu and I were completing our orbit around Makria, the furthest of the 13 moons of Asterious. Nestled on the dark side of Makria is a refueling and water station crucial for our operations. This station supplies us with fuel capsules for the new Vanus ship in addition to replenishing our water reserves. Normally, we haul a million gallons with us. Our incredibly robust container, named Asimi, has the capacity to hold four times that amount during water drop missions to our three moon-based colonies. For perspective, an Olympic-sized swimming pool on Earth contains about 490,000 gallons of water. Asimi, our faithful carrier container has been with us for decades.

 

Shortly after departing from the fueling station, Muttu and I noticed a sudden gravitational disturbance affecting our ship. It seemed as though we were being pulled towards a spatial anomaly unlike anything we had encountered before. Initially, we suspected technical malfunctions, but it soon became clear that we were facing something far more ominous.

 

The anomaly transformed into what appeared to be a chute and eventually manifested into a black hole with an unimaginably powerful gravitational force. We urgently transmitted a distress signal to our home planet, but Muttu decided to conserve ship energy by powering down to life-sustaining power only, given the uncertainty of our situation. And so, we found ourselves swept into the unknown depths of this enigmatic black hole. In times of uncertainty, preserving energy is always a prudent course of action, which is standard operating procedure in emergency cases like ours.

 

We lost consciousness as we were engulfed by the intense gravitational pull of the black hole, experiencing a rapid change in cabin pressure. It was like falling into a deep sleep where time stood still. When I awoke, I had no means to measure how long we had been unconscious since all timekeeping devices on the Stella had stopped functioning. Despite MuttuEve, my cherished companion, remaining unconscious, her vital signs were stable. She was in a coma-like state of suspended animation, yet her brain activity exhibited reassuringly normal readings.

 

Asterites typically sleep for only two hours a day in Earth time. Our sleep is very deep, allowing us to rejuvenate at an exceptionally rapid rate. I was hopeful that Muttu was simply in an extended state of sleep.

 

The aircraft emerged on the far side of what we later identified as the Milky Way Galaxy. This experience was entirely novel for us. While we had conducted blackout simulations, nothing could fully prepare us for the magnitude of encountering this transition into the unfamiliar group of galaxies within the Virgo cluster.

 

For a decade of Earth years, Muttu remained in a suspended sleep state, deeply missed for her companionship. During that time, I devoted myself to deep meditation, reflecting on our situation and studying the diverse patterns among the planet's creatures. I've always specialized in piloting, while Muttu thrives in engineering and navigation. When she finally woke up and we could communicate again, I was flooded with relief and joy. The uncertainty of whether she would awaken had been a heavy burden during those solitary years. While we're trained to maintain detachment from things, Muttu was much more than just a thing—she was my partner.

 

Upon awakening, she promptly resumed her navigational work as if it were the day after the black hole swallowed us. She was completely revitalized and reenergized from her rest. With no concept of how long she had been asleep, she eagerly delved into determining our location relative to our home planet and plotting our route back. I didn't dwell on the time lost; I was simply thrilled that she was back and ready to embark on our journey home.

 

Quest for Aquatic Resources

Muttu conducted an extensive scan of the Virgo cluster and conveniently identified a small, relatively young planet within this galaxy called the Milky Way. According to her calculations, the planet is called Earth, we are only 90,000 light years away. The planet has existed for only 4.44 billion years. Despite its young age, it possesses a substantial supply of cooled primarily saltwater. The Vanus Stellar has an amazing system to efficiently filter just about any form of H2O into absorbable water for us. The Yamsup filter adds various plant nutrients and minerals from Asterious, which transformed saltwater into fresh water suitable for our consumption.

 

Earth orbits within a compact solar system, much smaller in scale compared to our planet and moons, which are approximately seven times larger in size. During her exploration, Muttu identified another celestial body within Earth's solar system called Europa, a moon orbiting the planet Jupiter. Europa is abundant in water, containing twice as much as Earth. However, its entire surface is frozen, which could serve as a backup resource should we encounter difficulties on Earth.

 

MuttuEve discovered the rocky sea floor of Europa's ocean, noting the presence of hypothermal activity capable of supplying chemical nutrients to potentially support living organisms. Although no current signs of life have been detected, she speculates that conditions may foster the development of life forms within approximately 20 million Earth years. It was the formation of oxygen that allowed life to begin on Earth; this process will not begin anytime soon. We are planning a trip to Jupiter and its watery moon in three years to get a closer look.

 

Muttu humorously pointed out that Earth, named after "ground," primarily refers to land despite the planet's predominantly watery surface. She suggested changing the name to "Meer," meaning "sea," might be a more fitting name. I chuckled at her joke—it might not have been the best, but it was all about the effort. For Muttu this was a grand gesture of levity. 

 

Finding planets with suitable water conditions is exceptionally rare. Most planets with moisture feature dangerously high water temperatures, akin to lava. It typically takes several billions of years for planets to cool sufficiently to develop bodies of water with moderate temperatures capable of sustaining diverse life forms. Among the millions of planets we have observed, we have encountered only two others with such conducive conditions for life. And now we find two within one solar system.

 

We were unaware of Earth, the Milky Way Galaxy, or the Virgo cluster because this part of the cosmos was not included in our excursion maps. Even now, we are uncertain about our exact location relative to our own planet. Nevertheless, we've come to accept the situation for what it is. Muttu dislikes my saying that phrase—I think she finds it frustrating when I state the obvious. Despite the uncertainty, we feel grateful to have survived the journey and continue living our lives together, wherever we may be for as long as we can.

 

Home Base for Now

Muttu and I made the decision to travel to Earth and submerge our ship in the Arctic Ocean within the Molloy Trench. We chose this location for several reasons. Earth is relatively young and undergoing rapid geological changes, which makes its tectonic plate system highly fragile. We wanted to avoid potentially triggering any unstable fault lines that could lead to premature movements on the Earth's crust or its mantle. Our desire is to be as stealth as possible. We know that planetary ecosystems can be very sensitive power surges like the propulsion system of the Stella Vanus.

 

In the Molloy Deep, we live among the benthos, a delightful community of super interesting creatures. These benthic epifauna inhabit the sediments on the seafloor. Among them are Earth’s oldest ancestors such as polychaete worms, pelecypods, copepods, ostracodes, cumaceans, nematodes, turbellarians, foraminiferans, diatoms, ciliates, amoebae, flagellates, anthozoans, echinoderms, sponges, ascidians, and various crustaceans.

 

We situated our home base 18,000 feet below the surface in the Arctic, located in the Fram Strait between Greenland and the Arctic Ocean. Did I say feet? I meant 5580 meters. It is easy to fall under the spell of Imperial units of measure. I thought it interesting that the word "Arctic" originates from the Greek word "arktikos," meaning "of the bear" or "northern," derived from "arktos," which means "bear" in Greek. This term likely refers to the constellation Ursa Major (the Great Bear) and Ursa Minor (the Little Bear), which are prominent in the northern sky and circumpolar, visible throughout the year in the northern hemisphere. The Arctic region received its name because it is located near the North Pole, where these constellations can be observed. That said, conversely due to its location near the Earth's axis, the North Pole experiences prolonged periods of sunlight up to six months during summer and darkness up to six months during winter. This extreme variation in daylight makes consistent star-gazing difficult. 

 

We like to travel to Chile, we found this to be the optimal location on Earth for observing the stars in the sky. Its clear skies, excellent weather, and minimal light pollution make the northern coast of Chile a spectacular place to view numerous stars in the galaxy. The night sky vistas are particularly breathtaking when observed from Chile’s Atacama Desert, renowned as one of the driest places on Earth. This aridity is due to the Andes Mountain range blocking rainfall and the Pacific Ocean to the west inhibiting cloud formation in the area. We love flying down there.

 

Earth

The Earth possesses an interesting outer lithospheric shell which is divided into several large plates that float and move over the rocky layer of the Earth's mantle, which surrounds the softer core. There are seven major tectonic plates: the North American, South American, Eurasian, Pacific, African, Indo-Australian, and Antarctic plates. Each of these plates plays a crucial role in shaping Earth's geological dynamics and surface features. We are particularly impressed with the vibrant plant life that grows near the equator.

 

The bipedal homo sapiens on Earth have relatively short lifespans, with most living under 80 years. They are physically fragile and vulnerable to perishing when the Earth's shifting and growth leads to geological changes. However, the primary cause of death among them is heart disease brought on by the voluntary intake of toxins. It's peculiar how these creatures are aware of what factors contribute to a shorter lifespan, yet continue to consume a huge variety of harmful substances without considering the consequences.

 

One might wonder if their cognitive faculties are impaired or if their cravings outweigh their rational decision-making processes. It raises questions about their ability to prioritize long-term health over immediate gratification. From what we have seen, gratification wins out most of the times.

 

We have observed that the Earth's crust varies in thickness, ranging from approximately 5 kilometers beneath the Hawaiian Islands to up to 70 kilometers beneath the largest continents. Beneath the crust lies the mantle, which is the thickest layer of the Earth, extending to about 3,000 kilometers in depth. The mantle constitutes about 85% of the Earth's total volume. We especially like visiting the Hawaiian Islands. We have met many wonderful marine animals out there.

 

Muttu's geological readings indicate that the temperature of the Earth's inner core is around 5,200 degrees Celsius. Interestingly, this temperature is quite similar to the surface temperature of the star that Earth orbits around. However, the inner core of the star itself reaches a staggering temperature of about 15 million degrees Celsius. This stark contrast highlights the extreme conditions present within stars compared to the relatively cooler temperatures found within the Earth.

 

Muttu mentioned that the planet travels around its star at a speed of 107,000 kilometers per hour. She enjoys discovering such details—it's her thing. It's fascinating that this consistent speed allows the beings on the planet to spin with it, making them unaware of their movement through space. Additionally, she mentioned that the planet rotates on its axis at a speed of about 1,700 kilometers per hour (or roughly 1,000 miles per hour). This dual motion—orbiting the star and rotating on its axis—contributes to the planet's dynamic environment and the perception of stability for its inhabitants.

 

It's a sobering realization that in approximately 1.3 billion years, homo sapiens may not physiologically survive on Earth due to escalating heat and humidity levels. Muttu predicts that in about 2 billion years, the oceans could evaporate as a consequence of the sun's increasing luminosity. We are convinced that the humans will die off much sooner due to their predatory nature and lack of global stewardship.

 

The fragility of homo sapiens is evident in their dependence on sweating to regulate body temperature. The interplay of rising temperatures, humidity, wind speed, sun angle, and cloud cover will likely pose significant challenges to their survival over time. These factors underscore the vulnerability of Earth's current inhabitants to long-term changes in environmental conditions.

In the present, the water temperature on Earth is a perfect -1.8°C, which is ideal and delightful for us. We have a preference for water that is at its freezing point but remains liquid. Interestingly, there are similar conditions with water on our home planet.

 

During our dive, we observed three distinct zones where Earth's sun was able to penetrate its light into the ocean. These zones likely vary in depth and clarity, influencing the availability of light and consequently, the marine life and ecosystems thriving within each zone. 

 

Euphotic Zone: This zone extends down to about 200 meters below the surface, where sunlight is abundant and supports photosynthesis. The light here allows for thriving ecosystems and diverse marine life that rely on photosynthetic processes.

 

Dysphotic Zone: Below the euphotic zone lies the dysphotic zone, where light diminishes significantly. Photosynthesis becomes increasingly challenging in this area due to reduced sunlight penetration.

 

Aphotic Zone: Extending to depths of about 1,000 meters and beyond, the aphotic zone is completely devoid of sunlight, enveloped in perpetual darkness. Here, we encountered remarkable deep-sea creatures adapted to survive in this extreme environment, such as anglerfish, giant squids, vampire squids, and gulper eels. These creatures have evolved specialized adaptations for life in darkness, relying on bioluminescence and other sensory mechanisms to navigate and find prey.

 

Interestingly, some marine mammals, such as the sperm whale, are known to dive into the aphotic zone in pursuit of food like giant squids. Despite the intense pressure at these depths, these mammals have evolved robust bone structures to withstand such conditions. While the squids might not appreciate the encounters, we found these creatures to be fascinating and unique. Sperm whales, for instance, communicate using clicking sounds produced by their phonic lips, showcasing another aspect of their adaptation to deep-sea life.

 

Journal Entry 12th day on the 11th day in the year 1834

"In my first year in this unfamiliar galaxy, I immersed myself in the book 'No Time like the Present' by our dear friends and beloved instructors Sharadam and Hidananda. This insightful work explores the profound notion that we are constantly standing on the edge of each new moment in our lives. It emphasizes the importance of acknowledging this truth of this often elusive moment before mapping out our future paths, prompting us to reflect on our past actions. The core message is that while our past is filled with experiences, we must acknowledge the uncertainty of our future, recognizing that it may never fully unfold as planned. The book reminds us that many of our meticulously crafted plans are bound to change, influenced by countless factors beyond our control. It encourages us to navigate our future with this understanding and to cultivate acceptance of the evolving nature of our potential, found in each new moment."

 

Sea Creatures

We thoroughly enjoy our time exploring Earth's seas. The aquatic creatures here have been evolving for approximately 530 million years, continually adapting to their changing environment. About 375 million years ago, some fish species, like Tiktaalik, began to transition to land to escape predators. These fish developed fins that gradually evolved into limbs resembling wrists and ankles, enabling them to crawl out of the water and explore dry land.

 

In contrast, life on Asterious has not necessitated such a transition to land. Our planet's small landmass and the abundant, thriving sea life make the ocean a wonderful habitat without the need to venture onto land.

 

We had an incredible time interacting with the diverse array of creatures we encountered. Deep in the abyssal plains, approximately 5,000 meters below the water's surface, we met a fascinating group known as Scotoplanes, or Sea Pigs. These peculiar creatures were gathered around a whale carcass on the sea floor, using their long, slit-like tube feet to hover above the soft, muddy substrate.

 

Muttu was particularly intrigued to observe the Sea Pigs giving rides to juvenile king crabs without any apparent benefit to themselves. When she asked them about this behavior, one Sea Pig responded that they do it simply to be kind. They pointed out their slow movement and reasoned that if the young crabs weren't in a hurry, why not provide them with a bit of extra security from potential predators. They emphasized that this gesture doesn't affect them negatively, so it's a matter of choosing kindness whenever possible.

 

Muttu also struck up a friendship with a family of Pelecanoides, or Pelican Eels, which she finds fascinating. While Muttu and I refrain from consuming other animals out of respect for all life, we understand the necessity of survival in Earth's oceans. She observes these eel-like fish expand their mouths to engulf prey, aided by numerous teeth. Their tails flash pink or red through bioluminescence, reminiscent of how fireflies emit light. Many sea creatures have evolved such adaptations to produce light, which proves invaluable for attracting prey but even more importantly attracting mates.

 

Similarly, we possess the ability to generate light, though we use it primarily to enhance our vision in dark waters and to make ourselves visible to others, not to attract prey. This distinction reflects our differing evolutionary paths and strategies for survival in our respective environments.

 

Dofeini

Twenty Earth years ago, we embarked on an exploration of the Pacific Ocean where we encountered a pair of remarkable octopuses. These creatures were immense, reaching lengths of up to nine meters. MuttuEve bonded closely with the lovely female named Dofeini, spending two hours every week together for three years until her passing, which was a poignant moment for both of us. No matter where we were, Muttu would soar back to the north Pacific to spend her 60 minutes with Dofeini every Tuesday. 

 

I had never seen Muttu connect with anyone the way he did with Dofeini. I think she was feeling a bit homesick, and Dofeini had a temperament very similar to Muttu’s mother’s. They would often sit quietly together after chatting for a while. It was truly beautiful to see their loving bond grow over the years. Dofeini was incredibly wise and enjoyed imparting her wisdom to Muttu.

 

It was a day filled with both joy and sadness when Dofeini laid her eggs and stopped eating. After placing her clutch in a secure nest, she chose to stop eating and slowly grew weaker. Muttu stayed faithfully by her side until she passed. She also stayed witnessing the hatching of Dofeni’s eggs even after she had passed away.

 

This process echoes our life cycle on Asterious, where we have one last offspring, our fiftieth  birth then we are done, end of the road. However, our departure from existence involves ingesting a synthetic chemical akin to Earth’s cyanide but much faster-acting. By synthetic, I mean that we precisely engineer the formula ourselves. It should be noted that the composition is made of natural, yet deadly algae, fungi, and bacteria on Asterious. Starvation appears to be such an unpleasant painful way to end your life. We prefer a much more expedient method.

 

While Muttu spent her days with Dofeini, I found myself deeply drawn to whales and dolphins. These creatures are remarkably intelligent and emotional, much like octopuses. Marine mammals hold a special place in my heart. They breathe air, are warm-blooded, produce milk, and give birth to live young. Despite their dependence on air, they have adapted extraordinarily well to life in the ocean.

 

Dolphins, for instance, need to surface for air approximately every 10 minutes. However, my friend Slim, a sperm whale, can remain submerged for up to ninety minutes before needing to resurface. This ability showcases their remarkable adaptations over centuries to their aquatic environment, allowing them to thrive in the vast expanses of the ocean.

 

Barrier Reefs

While exploring a barrier reef off the coast of Argentina, we had the pleasure of meeting a delightful clownfish named Marlin. He shared with us an acronym that encapsulated our beliefs, which he aptly called the SPICES of our lives. As we ventured among the anemones of the coral reef, we encountered a small, vibrant family of these charming clownfish. Their orange bodies adorned with bold white stripes made them easily recognizable. Over time, they had adapted to develop a unique mucus coating to protect themselves from the anemones' stinging cells.

 

Marlin's clan displayed a remarkable and unconventional family structure. Led by a dominant female named Mary, Marlin served as the breeding male alongside several non-breeding males. A striking feature of clownfish is their ability to adapt when Mary passes away. In just a couple of months, Marlin will undergo a fascinating transformation, becoming the new dominant female of the group. This remarkable ability is triggered by their incredible brain power. It's through the sheer strength of their thoughts that they can manifest this astonishing sex change.

 

As my sweet mother used to say, "Anything worth changing is worth a moment of deep contemplation. Thoughts are the most powerful tools we have." This wisdom is central to their bright coloring and enduring dominance on the reef, illustrating their remarkable adaptation to the environment.

 

Additionally, we observed them exhibiting dedicated parenting behaviors. After the Dorothy laid her eggs on a nearby flat surface, the males diligently protected and cared for them. They fanned the eggs with their fins to enhance oxygen flow as well as shielded them from potential predators, showcasing their contentious yet nurturing parental instincts. 

 

On the reef, we encountered some stunning parrotfish and wrasses. Both species begin life as females and later transition into males through sequential hermaphroditism. This transformation occurs as they grow larger, developing the ability to defend a permanent mating territory. This territorial defense becomes more crucial than simply producing offspring, as it ensures not only reproductive success but also secures food and shelter.

 

My sweet partner and I have observed that these algae-eating fish, known for their ability to change sex, exhibit mindfulness in several remarkable ways. They are deeply family-oriented and caring providers. Moreover, they display exceptional intelligence and act as conscientious stewards of their environment.

 

Their kind vegetarian role as algae-eaters is crucial for coral health. By consuming algae that can otherwise smother coral reefs, they contribute significantly to enhancing the coral's vitality and longevity. For instance, species like the Acropora palmata or Elkhart coral found in the Caribbean can live for up to 5,000 years, underscoring the profound impact of these fish on the ecosystem's sustainability and resilience.

 

MuttuEve and I are markedly different yet remarkably complementary. She excels in analytical and mathematical endeavors. For decades, she had consistently ranked at the pinnacle of her class, demonstrating exceptional intelligence and a knack for mastering challenging theorems.

In contrast, I lean towards spontaneity and emotional expression, drawn to psychological insights.

 

We've discovered that intellectual attraction is tied to the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain associated with pleasure and reward. When Muttu and I engage in stimulating conversation—which happens frequently—the brain releases oxytocin. These moments of intellectual connection foster authentic exchanges that cultivate a profound trust and intimacy, enriching various aspects of our lives.

 

Have I mentioned our sex life is quite fulfilling? Our attraction, arousal, and sexual pleasure stem from a complex interplay of our somatic and autonomic nervous systems. At a central level, the dopaminergic and serotonergic systems play pivotal roles in our sexual responses. Additionally, our intellectual conversations frequently stimulate the release of pheromones, activating responses through our hypothalamus and amygdala, which heighten our mutual sexual arousal.

 

I've always been deeply intrigued by delving into the psychological motivations that underpin diverse behaviors in various contexts. Simply observing the world as it is has never satisfied me; I'm compelled to comprehend our place within it. My focus lies especially in exploring ways to foster peace and harmony in the lives of others. This understanding not only enriches our own lives but also equips us to make a positive difference in our communities and beyond. Muttu particularly enjoys when I share my observations, sparking meaningful exchanges from her as well.

 

We share an incredibly deep connection that transcends words. It's profoundly challenging for me to articulate just how enriching it is to traverse the universe with someone who complements me so profoundly. There's no one I hold in higher esteem than my beloved MuttuEve, our connection is quite miraculous. While we don't adhere to beliefs in supernatural entities, describing our partnership in such terms as a miracle feels poetically fitting. We both hold a deep reverence for all life and firmly believe that every living being has an inherent right to live out its natural lifespan and find fulfillment in its existence. It is a fundamental belief among our community that every being deserves safety and well-being for as long as they live.

 

Kill Consciousness

Earth appears to us as an unusually peculiar planet, marked by an abundance of predators that derive pleasure from hunting and consuming their fellow creatures, often disguised as needed sustenance. The act of ending a life, then integrating the dead carcass into one's own body is deeply unsettling to us Asterites. While taking another human's life is widely condemned among humanoids on Earth who live on the dry crust, the practice of consuming the flesh of other slain beings is not only accepted but often considered desirable. Muttu and I find this lifestyle to be profoundly destructive, cruel, barbaric, and illogical. 

 

The inhabitants of this predator planet seem to have deluded themselves into an acceptable mindset regarding killing. Many have managed to suppress any guilt associated with directly causing the deaths of other sentient beings. It's as if they effortlessly purge such thoughts from their cognitive processes, making their daily role in assassinations seem routine and normalized.

 

We admire the writings of Dr. Albert Schweitzer, who emphasized that ethical principles must encompass all living beings, both human and non-human animals. He asserted, "The absolute and the universal belong together," and argued that any fundamental principle of ethics should address humanity's relationship to life in all its forms. Schweitzer believed passionately that universal truths must extend to non-human beings, recognizing that the universe encompasses more than just humans. In his book "Reverence for Life," he advocated for the preservation and enhancement of life as good, and condemned any actions that limit or destroy life, applying this principle to all life forms on Earth.

 

We also hold deep reverence for the teachings of Mahavira, who upheld the compassionate principle of Ahimsa, inherited from his predecessor Parshvanatha. Mahavira emphasized that every living being possesses sanctity and dignity, deserving of respect just as one expects their own sanctity and dignity to be upheld. Ahimsa, the foundational vow of non-violence in Jainism, applies universally to actions, speech, and thoughts. Mahavira taught that Ahimsa encompasses all living beings, and harming any being in any manner generates negative karma, impacting one's future rebirth, well-being, and suffering.

 

Journal Entry 9th day of the 9th month of the year 1833

I've developed a keen interest in studying the various languages used by the primates living on this land to communicate with each other. To date, I've mastered 7,139 languages. Currently, approximately 885,000,000 people speak Mandarin Chinese, a language I project to remain dominant for the next 50 years. It's intriguing how such a comparatively complex language has gained widespread popularity among homo sapiens.

 

Unlike English and other Romance languages, Mandarin Chinese doesn't rely on an alphabet to form coherent sentences. Instead of a phonetic syllabic system, it employs a logographic script where symbols represent meanings rather than sounds. Learning Chinese required me to grasp several thousand characters, each of which I find remarkably beautiful.

 

The Golden Rule

The concept of killing sentient beings is alien to Asterites, although we acknowledge that certain primitive forms may have engaged in such behaviors in ancient times. As a conscious community, we abandoned such practices millions of years ago. Our society has established a hierarchy of profound emotions, with compassionate kindness being revered as one of our foremost virtues. This perspective enables us to recognize the inherent worth of each neighboring being and to extend our cherished respect to them. In essence, it reflects the Hindu principle of Namaste, where we perceive a radiant light in others and share our own luminosity with them. This ethos of bowing in gratitude to others has been instrumental in maintaining enduring peace among us for countless years, rooted in our innate inclination to coexist harmoniously with our neighbors. Even as a very young children it made good sense to us.

 

Muttu discovered a fundamental principle observed across almost every culture and religions all across the planet: "Do not do to others what you would not want them to do to you." We both agree that this simple rule stands as one of the most crucial moral principles humans have ever formulated. Moral guidance doesn't need complexity or obscurity to hold value; in fact, it is the clarity and simplicity of this rule that render it so profound. We deeply resonate with the idea that before taking an action that could harm another being, one should empathetically consider how they would feel in that position—and refrain accordingly. This capacity for empathy forms the cornerstone of building a community founded on mutual respect and dignity. It's particularly astounding to us how the overwhelming majority earthlings derive so much pleasure from killing others.

 

MuttuEve and I have observed the fascinating predator-prey relationships on this planet for a hundreds of years. According to my beloved, these interactions date back some 500 million years, when creatures like Anomalocaris and Opabinia ruled the seas. Although there were areas of dry land, much like what we had on Asterious, the seas were the primary habitat where these creatures thrived.

 

Trilobite Marvels

During this same period, a notable group of robust beings known as Trilobites emerged. They possessed advanced eyesight and complex digestive systems, with some swimming while others burrowed and crawled on muddy seabeds. Their significance lay in their protective calcite carapace, akin to a turtle's shell. 

 

Muttu discovered that over 20,000 species of Trilobites flourished on Earth for an extensive period spanning 270 million years, ultimately becoming extinct at the conclusion of the Permian period around 250 million years ago. Her enthusiasm lies in meticulously studying fossil records. Human paleontologists have extensively cataloged fossilized remains from the Burgess Shale, a renowned site showcasing Cambrian sea creatures located in what is today the Canadian Rockies.

 

Both Muttu and I share a deep love for history, particularly its connection to social progress. In Canada, Muttu explored rock samples from the Huronian Supergroup, a remarkable sedimentary formation in Ontario dating back 2.5 billion years. Her research revealed that this period coincided with the emergence of oxygen gas, a crucial development that transformed the ancient atmosphere into a life-sustaining environment, nurturing increasingly complex organisms over time.

 

Canada stands as a global exemplar in sustainable forest management, boasting some of the world's most rigorous legal and policy frameworks at national, provincial, and local levels. Many individuals are deeply committed to acting as responsible stewards of their limited resources.

 

Blue Bloods

During our journey along the Mid-Atlantic shoreline, Muttu engaged in a fascinating conversation with a pair of charming horseshoe crabs. Their astonishing lack of evolutionary change over the past 400 million years left a lasting impression on us. They have perfected an exceptionally efficient form, highlighted by their remarkably protective shell. While not direct descendants, their shell reminds us of the resilient smaller statured Trilobites. This parallel echoes how humans and orangutans share a common ancestor. Like us Asterites, horseshoe crabs have achieved an optimal form that has minimized the need for significant evolutionary adaptations. When survival is ensured through such robust mental and physical conditioning, there is little imperative for further change.

 

MuttuEve found the horseshoe crabs' blue blood particularly intriguing. Unlike most mammals, fish, reptiles, and amphibians whose blood is red due to hemoglobin—an iron-containing protein that binds with oxygen—horseshoe crabs have hemocyanin. Hemocyanin uses copper instead of iron, resulting in their blood being vividly blue in color. Similarly, other creatures like squids and octopuses also possess hemocyanin, giving their blood a blue hue. Interestingly, Asterites also have a significant concentration of copper-containing proteins. As a result, our blood appears more of a bright green color.

 

She shared with pride that she was quite the breeder, digging nests and burying clusters of over 4,000 tiny blue-green eggs, a process she did up to 20 times annually year. The females are distinguishable from males by their larger size. Other female expressed her fondness for Mispillion Harbor in Delaware due to its shallow waters that warm quickly in spring, and especially because of the jetty that shields the harbor from wave action, ensuring calm waters ideal for breeding. The Delaware Bay hosts the world's largest concentration of spawning horseshoe crabs.

 

Horseshoe crabs are often referred to as living fossils, having existed for hundreds of millions of years predating the dinosaurs. They are remarkable for having survived all five major extinction events in Earth's history. Paleontologists found a 445 million-year-old Limulidae (horseshoe crab) fossil in Ordovician rocks in Manitoba, Canada, which closely resembles modern-day creatures found on the mid-Atlantic beaches of Delaware, New Jersey, and Maryland.

 

Planet Cataclysm

We have observed that other planets underwent significant transformations due to asteroid impacts. According to Muttu's estimates, the asteroid that hit Earth was only about 15 kilometers wide. What made this impact particularly remarkable was its velocity, which created a crater ten times larger than the asteroid itself. This phenomenon is akin to a hollow-point bullet: entering the body through a small entry point and exiting twenty times its size. The collision generated massive tidal waves globally and ejected an enormous amount of deadly dust and debris. This resulting soot dispersed worldwide, forming a barrier that blocked the sun's rays. This obstruction proved fatal for many forms of plant life dependent on photosynthesis for survival, consequently affecting all animals that rely on these plants for food.

 

As we mentioned, Trilobites emerged 500 million years ago and flourished until their extinction roughly 250 million years ago. Their demise coincided with a mass extinction event that wiped out 95% of marine species. This catastrophic event was caused by widespread volcanic eruptions globally, illustrating how the planet itself became a formidable threat, resulting in the extinction of a colossal number of species. Muttu suggests that it's highly plausible that an asteroid impact on Earth triggered this era known as the Great Dying. She believes that it struck the most northern part of the planet creating a massive global disturbance.

 

The catastrophic event left no life forms on Earth untouched, including creatures in the sea such as the formidable ammonites, microscopic plankton, and all marine reptiles, which perished. According to Muttu, the asteroid was primarily responsible for this devastation. However, she also attributes a significant role to the abundant volcanic activity, which unleashed massive amounts of molten lava and gases over a span of approximately two million years. This prolonged volcanic activity likely contributed significantly to the environmental upheaval and further compounded the challenges faced by post-asteroid surviving organisms on Earth.

 

Home

Asterious is our home planet, where we Asterites originate, situated in a distant galaxy possibly several million or even billions of light years away from Earth, though the exact distance remains unknown to us. Our spacecraft's navigation capabilities extend up to approximately 27 million light years, yet Earth and the Milky Way Galaxy were not on our maps. Here, in this unfamiliar expanse, we do not recognize any of the galaxies that grace the sky. This new reality solidifies our belief that the true scope of the cosmos may forever elude our full understanding.

 

Muttu has confirmed that this Milky Way galaxy is approximately 100,000 light years wide and 1,000 light years thick. Muttu has also calculated that it takes this particular solar system about 230 million years to make a complete orbit around the galactic center. The solar system containing Earth is moving at about 828,000 km/h or 514,000 mph around the galactic center. I adore how she crafts these exquisite three-dimensional models for us to view. 

 

Muttu is exploring a hypothesis suggesting that our entanglement with our black hole may have caused a rupture in the space-time continuum, potentially placing us outside conventional temporal constraints. There is no way to verify whether we may have traced back or forward in time. Amidst these uncertainties, one thing is clear: the likelihood of returning home is becoming increasingly remote. Instead, we find ourselves now residing within the vast expanse of the Laniakea Supercluster, where the Milky Way is just one of 108,000 other galaxies that now surround us.

 

Within the Milky Way, another observable black hole resides at its center. This seems to be quite common among this Superclusters of galaxies. The mystery of what lies beyond that hole remains unknown. We have made a deliberate choice to continue searching for a way back home but not through these centering black holes. Nevertheless, we are also accepting of the possibility that we may remain here for the rest of our lives.

 

Asterites are a relatively small group of beings, only numbering about 180 million. It is about 2.25% of earths humanoid population of 8 billion. Our comparative percentage actually becomes much much smaller if you were to calculate the species of living creatures in the waters of Earth totaling more than 3,500,000,000,000 beings. 

 

Our splendid planet revolves around our sun in an orbit similar to Earth's around its sun. However, our home is five times farther from our sun compared to Earth's distance from its sun. Because our sun, named Minu, is three times larger than Earth's, it takes our planet nearly five times longer to complete one orbit around Minu.

 

Around Minu's radiant energy, there are a total of thirty-seven planets orbiting. Among these, there are numerous moons encircling twenty-three of these planets, totaling 331 moons. The remaining fourteen planets are either too close or too distant from Minu to host moons.

 

Asterious itself has thirteen moons captured within its gravitational pull. Three of these moons are inhabited by colonies of Asterites. On these three moons, we reside during the formative first 70 years of our lives or about 350 Earth years. This period is pivotal in our lifecycle as we concentrate on nurturing our minds and honing our physical abilities. It's a time dedicated to preparing ourselves before we decide on a path of existence that aims to contribute positively to all inhabitants of Asterious.

 

Just Breathe

During our time learning on the moons of Asterious, one of the most valuable lessons we learn is the practice of slowing down our metabolic rate through deliberate breathing and various meditation techniques. Away from our home planet, this period allows us to engage deeply in contemplation, immersing ourselves fully in the present moment free from distractions. These years dedicated to learning purposeful contemplation techniques are fundamental to our way of life.

 

During these formative years, we learn the art of goal-setting through a blend of mindset, planning, and consistent action. Key strategies include setting clear goals and breaking them into smaller, manageable tasks. Viewing tasks as achievable milestones helps reduce their perceived difficulty. Effective time management is crucial; dedicating specific daily time slots to pursue our goals proves highly beneficial. It's crucial to avoid multitasking because it can detract from both focus and productivity. Our esteemed instructor, Hacham, wisely advised, "Do one thing at a time, focus, contemplate, complete, and move on." This approach emphasizes the value of dedicating full attention to each task, ensuring thoroughness and effectiveness before transitioning to the next.

 

While studying on the moon of Sofia, we underwent training that involved dedicating quiet, mindful moments at least three times a day for three hours. This practice, known as "Newma," emphasizes the value of each breath. Our teacher, Hidananda, instructed us never to overlook the significance of the next breath, which presents a singular chance to attain inner peace. These mindful meditation practices are crucial to our path of self-discovery and our commitment to serving others on Asterious.

 

Newma cultivates a deep synergy between our bodies and minds, promoting transformative connection. This practice harnesses conscious breathing to facilitate the intake of vital oxygen during inhalation and the release of toxins with each exhale, fostering healing and unity.

 

We are taught this approach to help to calm the nervous system, promoting relaxation and enhancing our ability to achieve deeper, more restorative sleep. This results in a heightened sense of rejuvenation. Additionally, daily Newma practice serves as a focused technique that deepens our understanding of the present moment. Furthermore, the increased oxygen supply and carbon dioxide removal provided by Newma support brain function by providing additional fuel to brain cells. This leads to improved cognitive function, contributing to a sense of calmness and enhanced mental acuity for those who practice Newma breathing regularly.

 

Unlike many sea creatures on Earth, which rarely enter deep sleep due to being in a perpetual state of survival mode, Asterites have evolved eyelids similar to mammals. While we don't need them for keeping our eyes moist, as we live in water, we use our eyelids to shield our eyes from the sun's rays when resting or while in contemplative meditation in shallower waters.

 

We had a wonderful instructor named Sharadam who taught us the importance of quality rest for a high quality of life. She taught us that rejuvenation requires entering a deep sleep state each day, which enhances our energy levels upon waking. This principle underscores that the deeper our sleep, the more effectively we can replenish our vitality. We call this most rejuvenating part of our day Komo.

 

Living a fulfilling life is a profound and often remarkable experience. As per the teachings of Hidananda and Sharadam, this remarkable fulfillment is accessible in every fleeting moment of our existence. They are an inspiring couple who consistently highlighted the beauty of the present moment and its vast potential for personal growth, inner peace, aiding our fellow Asterites, and attaining contentment. Each moment is viewed as an exceptional opportunity for us to manifest the ideal Asterite we aspire to become.

 

Dream it, Be it

Dreaming carries profound significance in our lives, surpassing mere fleeting memories. It embodies a visionary experience where we explore possibilities and envision futures that shape our aspirations and guide our journey forward. This visionary process intricately intertwines with our quest for self-discovery and fulfillment. We use these dreamy visions as a gentle transition into our nightly state of sleep.

 

Dreaming profoundly benefits our lives. It serves as inspiration and motivation, offering a vision of our aspirations and goals. Personally, my dreams fuel my creativity, sparking innovative ideas. They aid Muttu in emotional processing, stress reduction, and enhancing learning, fostering self-discovery through insights into our subconscious minds. Ultimately, dreams provide us valuable moments for self-reflection and significant personal growth. Lastly these dreamy visions improve our cognitive function and memory consolidation. They help us to sort and solidify our daily act of learning new information.

 

Muttu and I frequently dream of flying through the skies. Tayas, the woman responsible for interpreting our dreams, explained that such dreams can symbolize a desire to escape or avoid something in life. However, in our case, she noted that our flying dreams were expressions of confidence and independence through our solo flights.

 

Don’t Fear the Reaper

Each time we contribute to the peace of other beings, whether as individuals or collectively as a community, we bring balance and cultivate a sense of joy and fulfillment in our lives. Observing creatures here on Earth, many are ensnared in the survival mode I mentioned earlier, consumed by concerns for their own survival. In this state, altruism becomes difficult because every moment is overshadowed by fear of potential dangers. 

 

MuttuEve astutely observed that many creatures on dry land seem surrounded by fear, despite not facing immediate danger. They often conjure negative scenarios that are unlikely to materialize, allowing these fearful thoughts to hinder their happiness. While it's saddening to witness, we refrain from passing judgment on how others cope with their existence. Instead, we assess their circumstances and propose alternative perspectives for their consideration. We recognize that some acknowledgement of fear does serve a crucial role in ensuring survival when it mobilizes people to protect themselves. However, we've also noted that a majority of beings obsess over fear, resulting in an unsettling life burdened by unnecessary thoughts that create barriers to inner peace.

 

Fear becomes profoundly detrimental when it hinders us from taking essential action. Like an ostrich burying its head in the sand, avoiding proactive steps can worsen our challenges rather than resolve them. Confronting difficult situations directly is crucial for effective resolution. This approach enables us to scrutinize our beliefs, clarify our values, explore new perspectives, and develop problem-solving skills. Overcoming obstacles reaffirms our ability to triumph over adversity, marking significant personal milestones in our journey.

 

Sharing knowledge and insights is inherent to our nature. While we recognize that others' choices to change their behavior are ultimately their own, we feel driven to share in the aspiration of promoting a more peaceful existence for all beings. We have embraced the practice of sharing without attaching expectations to the outcome. If our exchanges lead to positive changes, that's wonderful. If not, we accept it with equanimity. Muttu and I firmly believe that the best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today. This is something my mother used to emphasize to me.

 

These surface beings are indeed intriguing, yet their illogical and sometimes harmful behavioral patterns are often frustrating to observe. They are the last surviving species of the genus Homo. We have characterized them by their lack of hair, bipedalism, and signs of intermittent intelligence. These humans are great apes with notably large brains but only use a very small part of their brains to bring peace into their lives. We Asterites on the other hand have developed an evolutionary feature that empowers us with advanced cognitive abilities, enabling adaptation to diverse environments, the development of very sophisticated tools, and the formation of intricate social constructs. These attributes have been pivotal in our ability to thrive as a community expressing equality with our fellow beings. It is our hope to continue to share our knowledge with some of the earthlings we encounter.

 

Asterites embrace the concept of individualism up to a point where it may potentially harm others. As a result, we have found that a form of what some homo sapiens reference as social humanism is the most effective approach for ensuring equality and fairness among all individuals. In this system, resources and benefits are shared collectively based on people's needs rather than individual wealth or possessions.

 

Journal Entry 2nd day on the 8th month in the year of 1832

It has been eight Earth years since we arrived in the Milky Way galaxy. My dear MuttuEve remains in a peaceful slumber. Despite not having regained full communicative consciousness, her vital signs remain strong, indicative of abundant cognitive vigor in her neural processing. This period without her intellectual and physical presence has prompted a new phase of introspection for me. I now ponder the age-old question of why misfortune befalls good beings. My mother used to say, "Everything is unfolding as it should." We have a saying that says we are always in state of accompaniment by those we have loved and who have loved us.

 

To Love and Be Loved

We Asterites find great contentment with very little, particularly when it comes to material possessions. We understand that true happiness and peace come from within, and once one realizes that we already possess everything we truly need, the desire for material goods diminishes significantly. One of my favorite mentors named Didaska said, “If you do not go within, you go without.”

 

In our teachings, we emphasize that there are only two essential elements for securing genuine contentment in life: to love and to be loved. This concept, known as Ogapo, forms the foundational essence of our existence. It emphasizes the significance of cultivating loving relationships and fostering a sense of community and mutual care among all Asterites.It is crucial to be conscious of one's capacity to extend love to all beings encountered, while also being open to receiving love from others.

 

From a young age, we Asterites are taught to use our minds to focus on the positivity inherent in each moment. This doesn't mean we deny the existence of challenges or negative events; rather, we choose not to dwell on them excessively. We understand that concepts like "good" and "bad" are often subjective judgments influenced by our experiences or current circumstances. It's crucial to be mindful of how we allow our minds to categorize and prioritize these judgments. We acknowledge that all passing moments are in constant flux, evolving perpetually as time progresses. As individuals, our perspectives also evolve accordingly. We believe it's within our power to shape how each moment impacts our state of mind. Instead of defaulting to negativity, we actively seek out the potential goodness in any given situation, reframing it to enhance our overall experience. This can serve as a mirror to beings in your presence, reminding them to show compassion whenever possible.

 

Negative thoughts may arise naturally at times, but we've learned to recognize and consciously adjust how we engage with them. Through consistent meditative practice, we diminish the frequency of negative thoughts until they become negligible. Ultimately, the question arises: why entertain feelings that do not serve us and contribute to our happiness? While some emotions may be beyond immediate control, many can be redirected through deliberate focus on the thought. In essence, we choose to cultivate a mindset that prioritizes positivity and resilience, aiming to maximize our personal well-being and fulfillment in every moment.

 

The Harm Alarm

The observation of life here on this distant planet called Earth reveals a harsh reality: the prevailing norm often involves causing harm to others in order to sustain one's own existence. This is not solely a physical necessity but rather a psychological one and quite often not necessary at all. 

 

The scale of killing—whether you call it murder, extermination, or annihilation—is indeed staggering and difficult for us to comprehend. According to Muttu's calculations, approximately 500 million sea creatures are farmed and killed daily for consumption by humanoids. This number goes into the billions when accounting for violence among fish themselves.

 

What deeply troubles us is the justification for inflicting such immense harm, especially when it involves taking the lives of innocent sentient beings for food. While self-defense presents a different scenario, it's concerning to realize that there exist numerous alternative ways to nourish ourselves with superior nutrients that enhance mental function without causing harm to our fellow Earth inhabitants. Fruits, nuts, and vegetables offer ample nutrition for humans, providing rich sources of vitamins like C (ascorbic acid), B1 (thiamine), B3 (niacin), B6 (pyridoxine), B9 (folate), as well as minerals and dietary fiber. These natural food choices are far cleaner and healthier than consuming the flesh of deceased animals.

 

Muttu has compiled a comprehensive database documenting incredibly distressing statistics on daily animal executions. Her findings indicate the staggering scale of daily slaughter across various species: approximately 1 million cows, 1.4 million goats, 1.7 million sheep, 3.8 million pigs, 11.8 million ducks, and an astonishing number surpassing 200 million chickens. These numbers reflect a planetary scale of destruction that is overwhelming. It is very challenging for us to comprehend, the lack of global compassion that perpetuates such widespread daily annihilation. 

 

Sea Herbivores

Overhearing a humanoid comment that many of these animals would not even exist without farming does not justify the mass execution of such loving beings. It underscores a disconnect in understanding and empathy toward other forms of life sharing this planet. As Asterites, we believe in finding ways to coexist harmoniously with all beings, promoting peace and minimizing harm wherever possible. We have observed small groups of land animals here on Earth that abstain from killing others. This represents an exceedingly tiny fraction of the 8 billion land inhabitants, approximately little less than 1%. Shocking, we know.

 

We recently enjoyed engaging in enlightening conversations with several otocinclus catfish as we traversed the waterways of South America, particularly along the majestic Rio Grande de la Magdalena. This river holds immense significance in the country of Colombia, providing essential benefits such as hydroelectric and thermoelectric power generation, as well as fostering rich biodiversity. Most importantly, it serves as a vital source of clean drinking water for 40 million humanoids.

 

The Rio Grande de la Magdalena originates in the Colombian Massif, running from south to north for over 1,500 kilometers (approximately 1,000 miles). For those who still use British Imperial units of measurement, these figures may seem somewhat peculiar, with units like inches, feet, yards, miles, pounds, ounces, and gallons. While the historical context of these measurements is understandable, it's curious that the bipedal crust creatures persist in using them when the metric system offers simplicity with an ease of use and understanding.

 

Furthermore, the use of the Fahrenheit scale for temperature measurement perplexes both Muttu and myself. The Celsius scale offers a simpler and more logical system, but the inhabitants of the crust continue to stick with Fahrenheit, despite its peculiar complexities. It's intriguing and somewhat perplexing how certain behaviors persist even when they may not align with their own best interests. In conclusion, we find these habits and practices of the crust creatures to be quite odd and fascinating, prompting us to reflect on the diversity and complexity of human behavior and cultural norms. It appears that most creatures follow whatever belief system their parents tell them to follow. This type of unquestioning allegiance can prove to be very dangerous. We believe that this pattern is one of the major causes of the prolonged violent behavior.

 

Our conversation with the otocinclus catfish in South America revealed fascinating insights into their conscientious herbivorous lifestyle. These catfish are dedicated plant eaters, primarily consuming algae, seaweed, and other aquatic plant life to sustain themselves. They reside contentedly in the rivers and streams of Brazil, Paraguay, Bolivia, Venezuela, and Argentina.

Unlike many other fish species, these catfish have chosen not to prey upon their fellow fish. They explained that with the plentiful and nutritious supply of algae and plants available, there's no reason to willingly harm other fish, yet alone eat them.

 

These herbivorous sea creatures flourish in the warm waters south of the equator. They have short oral cavities with blunt snouts and numerous teeth, which they use to crush, scrape, and dig for their preferred plant-based diet. Although they dedicate a considerable part of their day to eating, they express great satisfaction and even delight in consuming algae, emphasizing its nutritional value. Their decision to adopt a herbivorous diet not only demonstrates their ecological niche but also reveals a deep respect for their aquatic environment and fellow inhabitants. It serves as a testament to their harmonious coexistence within the ecosystem they inhabit and their basic desire to express compassion to their neighbors.

 

These otocinclus catfish, or otos, are distinctive within the fish community for their advocacy of peaceful coexistence and herbivorous lifestyles. Often sarcastically referred to as "peaceniks," they are known for their commitment to non-aggression and their preference for feeding on plant matter rather than other fish. Despite their peaceful nature, they are also notable for possessing venomous fins. This characteristic makes them formidable to other fish, who learn to steer clear of these dwarf suckers to avoid experiencing the painful consequences of an encounter.

 

During our conversation, they mentioned another large group of plant-eating fish residing near the Mesoamerican reef. This piqued our interest immediately, prompting us to set our course to visit them next. The Mesoamerican reef is renowned for its biodiversity and vibrant marine life, making it an ideal destination to learn more about these fellow herbivorous inhabitants of the underwater world. We look forward to discovering more about their community and understanding how they contribute to the delicate balance of life in this unique marine ecosystem.

 

We journeyed south into the Caribbean Sea to meet with the lovely and conscientious group of herbivorous fish living near the Mesoamerican reef. This expansive reef spans the coasts of Honduras, Guatemala, Belize, and Mexico, stretching approximately 1,000 kilometers (625 miles). It's the largest barrier reef in the Western Hemisphere, renowned for its stunning beauty and rich marine biodiversity.

 

Among the inhabitants of this vibrant ecosystem are the Diadema sea urchins, which thrive on algae and seagrass. Despite their prickly appearance, they play a crucial role in the reef's ecosystem by consuming algae and helping to maintain its balance. While not very talkative, these sea urchins are valued for their ecological contributions to the reef. They haven't sworn an absolute oath of silence, but one of them mentioned that living in relative silence enhances their quality of life. They've discovered that unspoken words can hold more power than spoken ones. Each time words are spoken, there's a chance for miscommunication because of how the receiver translates them. Finding the exact words to accurately express oneself is always prone to error, leading to frequent misunderstandings in interpretation.

 

On the flip side, surgeonfish are passionate about discussing their plant-based diet. They are proud of their compassionate lifestyle as well as their specialized mouths that allow them to nibble on seaweed and scrape algae from rocks. Algae grazing is a privilege for surgeonfish, as it helps prevent overgrowth that could disrupt the delicate balance of the reef. During our exploration, we also encountered other vegetarian fish species such as parrotfish, damselfish, rabbitfish, and unicornfish. These species, like surgeonfish, take great pride in their role as guardians of the reef. Their plant-based diets sustain them while promoting the health and longevity of the coral reef ecosystem, without causing harm to other fish species.

 

It was truly special to observe how these plant-eating fish play a vital role in maintaining the Mesoamerican reef's preservation and equilibrium. This firsthand experience highlighted nature's complex interconnections and the serene harmony that defines life underwater. Muttu and I find great joy in encountering creatures dedicated to fostering compassionate lifestyles. These fish clearly take pride in their role as stewards, safeguarding the reef's health with diligence. 

 

Many of the vegetarian creatures living in coral reefs possess a distinctive defense mechanism that deters potential predators. These fish are immune to ciguatera, a toxin found in specific poisonous algae abundant on the reef. While these gentle herbivores consume these algae safely, ciguatoxins accumulate in their bodies, rendering them highly toxic to other fish that prey upon them. Ciguatera toxins are produced by dinoflagellates, a type of algae that thrives abundantly on and around coral reefs. While these select vegetarian fish safely consume this algae as part of their diet, it becomes lethal for other fish that consume them. Eating these herbivorous fish can result in severe illness and often death, due to the potent effects of ciguatera poisoning.

 

This reputation has spread among various pescatarian groups on the reef, warning them against preying upon these herbivorous "peaceniks" to avoid severe consequences. The natural immunity of these fish to ciguatera acts as a robust defense strategy, ensuring their survival in the intricate and competitive ecosystem of the Mesoamerican coral reef.

 

Muttu and I find great delight in exploring the world of herbivorous sea creatures in South America. These fish not only boast stunning external beauty but also play admirable ecological roles. According to Muttu's calculations, there are 1,694 different species residing in the greater Caribbean Sea. What surprises us, however, is the incredibly small number of these species that are exclusively herbivorous.

 

Certainly, amidst the rich diversity of marine life in the Caribbean Sea, herbivorous species are outnumbered by those with varied diets or predatory habits. This underscores the specialization and unique ecological niche occupied by herbivores, like those we've encountered near the reefs of South America. They exemplify how their diet is integral to their harmonious existence in their environment. Each species contributes uniquely to the balance and biodiversity of their respective ecosystems. Their role as herbivores not only shapes the health of coral reefs and marine habitats but also highlights their adaptation to sustain themselves on plant matter within a complex web of marine life.

 

Exploring and observing these herbivorous sea creatures continually enhances our appreciation for their beauty, resilience, and crucial role in marine ecosystems throughout the Caribbean and beyond. We resonate deeply with the ideals and practices of these creatures, particularly their dedication to non-violence and compassionate eating habits. Their lifestyle reflects a profound understanding of harmony within their ecosystems and a respectful regard for all life forms. We share their hope that their way of life will inspire and proliferate among fish communities worldwide.

 

These herbivorous fish exemplify the great benefits of adopting a vegetarian diet. It often requires deep meditative contemplation to prioritize kindness over the desire for consuming animal carcasses as food. We've observed that these plant-eating fish are not only more peaceful but also exhibit higher levels of intelligence compared to their pescatarian counterparts who consume other fish.

 

It's important to clarify that we do not imply that all pescatarians and carnivores are lacking in intelligence. Rather, we believe that many simply haven't explored or considered the reasonable options available to them. Breaking through ingrained habits and beliefs takes time and requires introspection. Unfortunately, many beings may not prioritize self-reflection or making changes that could genuinely benefit themselves while also benefiting others.

 

We commend the herbivorous fish for their exemplary lifestyle and their positive impact on their ecosystems. Their commitment to non-violence and their choice to sustain themselves on plant life serve as a powerful reminder of the potential for peaceful coexistence and compassionate living among all species.

 

Journal Entry 9th day of the 3rd month of the year 1827

During my third year in isolation, I delved into studying various religious scriptures that intrigue homo sapiens so deeply. I found particular fascination in exploring the major Abrahamic religions—Judaism, Christianity, and Islam—as well as secondary faiths like Samaritanism, Druidism, Baha’i, and Rastafari. These texts are undeniably imaginative.

 

The original Torah presents intriguing and often terrifying narratives. It's perplexing to consider the notion of women being created from a man’s rib—a transparent method aimed at subjugating women into secondary roles. In the story of Noah, God's decision to annihilate all people, regardless of their moral standing, raises questions about the kindness of such a deity. The portrayal of the Abrahamic God committing what can be viewed as horrendous acts, often involving widespread loss of life, is deeply unsettling.

 

These scriptures are filled with an abundance of supernatural imagination. The original Torah contains compelling narratives. It's astonishing that women accept the idea of being created from a man's rib, clearly a method intended to subordinate them as secondary citizens. In the story of Noah, God's decision to wipe out all people, regardless of their character, challenges the notion of a benevolent deity. The portrayal of the Abrahamic God carrying out what seem like severe actions, often resulting in loss of life, is deeply disturbing. These narratives fail to establish positive moral boundaries and can, in fact, cause harm by promoting belief in a supernatural and unkind God who governs through fear of eternal punishment.

 

Serve and Die

After spending our initial 70 years on our conditioning moons, we embark on a journey back home to engage in service to others for the next 263 years of our lives. This phase of our existence is not seen as a burden but rather as a sacred opportunity to enhance the well-being of our neighbors, thereby enriching our own lives.

 

Choosing to serve is a deeply personal decision among all Asterites, who have a vast array of work positions to select from. During the final seven years of our formal education, each of us is paired with an elder mentor. This mentor guides us in exploring various areas of interest to help us discover our true passion and purpose. Finding joy in our work is essential, as it ensures sustained contentment and fosters a commitment to excellence in all tasks undertaken.

 

Every Asterite takes immense pride in their contributions to society. This pride, coupled with genuine passion, ensures that our work is performed with utmost dedication and precision. It is through this dedication that we believe our service adds value not only to others' lives but also to the fabric of our own existence.

 

Time has Come

On our 333rd year we mate for the last time and voluntarily end our lives from this realm, like what the biped earthlings call self administered suicide or euthanasia. Asterites all agree to voluntarily leave at that time. It is considered an honorable act of kindness to yourself and your community at large. This way none of experience pain as our physical forms start to decline and minds begin to deteriorate losing focus on a regular basis. We collectively prefer to leave this phase of life before experiencing the anguish associated with declining physical issues and the loss of mental faculties. 

 

Death is a natural process that we Asterites neither fear nor eagerly anticipate. It is simply an unavoidable part of our existence, and we accept our inevitable destiny with little contemplation. We have a saying, "We all become, and we all will be gone," which captures our perspective well, though its nuance may not fully translate into English.

 

This acceptance of death also serves a practical purpose on our planet and moons. It helps to maintain a balance with our limited resources and water supply, ensuring that each individual has access to the resources needed for a fulfilling life spanning 333 years on Asterious, equivalent to 1,665 years on Earth.

 

This approach ensures that no one feels deprived or disadvantaged, fostering a harmonious existence where each Asterite can live fully and contribute meaningfully within the context of life on Asterious.

 

It sounds like a lot of years compared to other beings in this galaxy. But as all things it is a matter of relativity. Take the Mayfly that only lives for about 24 hours. Their 1,440 minutes becomes a little less than our 1,600 years. You see the comparison, all time is comparable as it relates to ones own self-existence. One minute to another one’s year, to another’s century. 

 

We've observed numerous beings devising afterlife scenarios to mitigate the finality of their existence. Humans, in particular, exhibit remarkable creativity in this regard. They not only conceive fictional afterlives but also engage in contentious debates to assert the superiority of their own creations over others'. It's a clear example of frivolous and irrational behavior. Taste is subjective and cannot be argued, yet they persist in doing so, often attributing their preferences to divine decree. This behavior appears absurd to witness. While occasional acts of kindness are evident, they seem exceedingly rare compared to the widespread cruelty they inflict upon each other and upon innocent beings they seek to dominate with their nonsensical philosophies.

 

Us and Water

Our home planet, Asterious, is predominantly composed of fresh, unsalted water—quite unlike Earth, where such water is scarce. Earth's surface is mostly covered by water, about 70% of which is salty ocean water. In contrast, Asterious features two narrow rings of land encircling the entire planet. These regions are densely populated with trees and brush, reminiscent of Earth's mangrove trees and like the leaves of a Magnolia tree. These vegetation zones store vast amounts of carbon. Each ring is approximately 500 miles or 800 kilometers wide.

 

When we are not living in the water, we live in pods filled with water from the Asterious seas. As you can see, we are fully covered with small hair follicles and tiny scales, we also possess a form of what you call gills and very small lungs. Our three main limbs on each side of our body possessing nine finger-like tentacles that allow us to operate gear for fine tuning our ships coordinate amongst many other things. We have five other octopus-like appendages that are very effective for moving on the bottom of sea surfaces. Lastly, the bottom of our bodies and try smooth like dolphins on Earth. And like dolphins we lay belly to belly when having intercourse. Muttu and I perform this mutually pleasurable activity three times a day, which follows directly after our prayer or meditation time, where we set aside to be in silence for a 180 minutes period.

 

Our primary source of essential nutrients is Asterious water, which our bodies utilize through a closed nutritional system. Wastewater is filtered and reabsorbed, ensuring no resources are wasted. This sustainable practice has sustained our civilization for millions of Earth years, during which we have undergone minimal evolution and remained largely unchanged.

 

Our waters are abundant with diverse and beautiful plant life, with some rooted in the sea floor and others drifting through the seas. Similar to Earth's phytoplankton, we have our own variety called ichthyous greens, floating on the sea's surface and harnessing solar nutrients. Despite their short lifespan of a few weeks, their vital energy continues to nourish the sea for generations, blending into the water we drink.

 

Asterites are composed of about 95% water, significantly higher than humans' 60%. Over billions of years, we have evolved with both gills and lungs, allowing us to breathe effectively whether submerged in water or in air. Unlike Earth mammals, we primarily inhabit aquatic environments.

Reproduction among Asterites resembles that of dolphins, albeit less intense. We commit to producing 50 offspring throughout our lifetimes together, which means reproducing approximately once every 33 years. The gestation period for a female is just three months. After birth, newborn Asterites remain with their parents for an additional three months before moving to one of our three designated moons for education and growth.

 

Muttu and I found great joy in studying the diverse life forms on Earth, despite the predatory nature of many of its inhabitants. The refreshing water added to our enjoyment of exploration. Our ship operated solely in cloaking mode, making it undetectable by human radar whether powered or not. This stealth capability allowed us to travel efficiently through both water and air, choosing the scenic route more often as we settled into our extended stay in the Milky Way Galaxy.

 

The homo sapiens, bipedal creatures on Earth's crust, are indeed remarkable in their ability to complicate simplicity without much consideration. This tendency often seems to amuse them, despite its often detrimental outcomes. One striking example is their notoriously unhealthy diet, which they willingly adopt, often bringing a multitude of toxins into their lives knowingly.

In contrast, we Asterites learn from early stages of life to align our behaviors with what serves us best. This includes our nutritional choices and what contributes to our psychological well-being and contentment. This fundamental difference in approach highlights the contrasting priorities and lifestyles between our species.

 

MuttuEve pointed out an interesting observation about the physical structure of bipeds (humans) compared to their typical daily dietary consumption. They have a digestive system that includes a relatively long intestinal tract, measuring over seven meters in length. This structural feature is more akin to that of herbivores, where the length of the intestines is about three and a half times the length of their bodies.

 

The small intestine of humans is longer than those found in carnivorous creatures. This adaptation allows more time for the breakdown of plant-based food, which contains high levels of cellulose that require thorough digestion. Bile, a digestive fluid produced by the liver and stored in the gallbladder, plays a crucial role in the digestive process by aiding in the digestion and absorption of fats in the gut.

 

The crust-grazing cow creatures are gentle herbivores known for their kindness. Those used for milk production by homo sapiens undergo a particularly sorrowful fate. Their offspring are separated from them shortly after birth, never to be reunited. As if this isn't cruel enough, they are then enslaved to produce milk intended for these offspring, which is harvested using mechanical devices. What's even more surprising is that homo sapiens consume this milk themselves. Leaders among them even recommend drinking at least three cups of cow's milk daily.

 

It's astonishing that despite 65% to 70% of homo sapiens being lactose intolerant—experiencing nausea, cramps, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and other discomforts—many continue consuming various dairy products against their body's clear signals. They seem to defy their own self-interests far too often, a phenomenon that never ceases to amaze us.

 

The intestines of sweet cows are remarkably long, measuring up to forty meters, which is twenty times the length of their bodies. They possess ruminant stomachs with four compartments: the rumen, reticulum, omasum, and abomasum. The rumen chamber alone is comparable in size to a 55-gallon trash can, holding a little over 200 liters of food. This specialized four-chambered stomach structure is typical among herbivores that rely on plant matter for sustenance.

 

Other gentle and compassionate creatures with similar stomach structures include sheep, goats, bison, deer, elk, giraffes, and camels. Interestingly, some of the strongest animals on Earth are herbivores. Muttu refers to them as megaherbivores, often found grazing in regions of Africa and parts of Asia. Here, we encountered magnificent creatures such as elephants, rhinoceroses, hippopotamuses, and the towering giraffes. These animals showcase the incredible adaptability and resilience of herbivorous species in various ecosystems.

 

Your typical meat-eating carnivore indeed has a relatively short intestinal tract compared to herbivores, which can be up to ten times their body length. Humans, on the other hand, have intestinal tracts that are extended to about three times their height, similar to other herbivores. It's a universally accepted fact in anatomy that homo sapiens are anatomically herbivorous.

 

Many people find it difficult to acknowledge this reality, often spending a significant portion of their lives rationalizing their dietary and lifestyle choices. Unfortunately, these choices can have negative consequences for both personal health and the environment. The truth is that humans can obtain all essential nutrients for a healthy and satisfying life through a carefully balanced vegetarian diet. Despite this knowledge, many opt not to follow this path, instead consuming a variety of animal carcasses daily. What's surprising is the apparent lack of remorse shown for their part in the slaughter and exploitation of other living beings on Earth.

 

The human mind holds immense power, capable of inspiring acts of charity while also rationalizing the slaughter of defenseless sentient beings on this planet. This contrast in human behavior underscores the intricate ethical considerations surrounding dietary choices and their impacts on individuals and the wider ecosystem.

 

Muttu and I have concluded that the dietary preferences of humans, like many other perplexing behaviors, are deeply rooted in early psychological conditioning. From infancy, even before they can articulate words, parental figures introduce mashed meats and dairy into their diets, establishing an association between these foods and feelings of satisfaction and nourishment. This early conditioning remains influential throughout their lives. Despite the absence of physiological necessity, earthlings' psychological cravings for consuming deceased animal flesh and dairy byproducts remain resolute. This enduring behavior strikes us as profoundly strange, difficult to comprehend, and barbaric on many levels.

 

Take a Pause

Let's pause together in stillness for a moment. Let's simply experience the sensation of being, focusing on our breath. While our breath is always with us, let's take this opportunity to consciously bring our awareness to each inhale and exhale. As we observe the gentle flow of air entering and leaving our bodies, let's take pleasure in this tranquil moment of sitting in silence. By focusing on our life-giving breath, we naturally calm the restless chatter of the mind, allowing ourselves to embrace a state of serene relaxation.

 

It's crucial to recognize that being present in this manner grants us clarity and inner peace. This awareness holds significance because at any moment in our lives, we can choose to sit in silence and rediscover the deep serenity that is always within reach. Through the regular practice of mindful meditation, we begin to reconnect with our true selves. In the stillness of this contemplative practice, the purpose of our existence gradually reveals itself to us.

 

Life's journey unfolds initially within ourselves and then extends to our interactions with the world and its inhabitants. As we deepen our understanding, we begin to grasp the interconnectedness of all beings. It becomes clear that our way forward lies in living harmoniously, nurturing collaboration, and respecting the inherent compassion within ourselves and others.

 

In these moments of solitude and reflection, we discover clarity and deep insights. These periods of introspective contemplation are often referred to as therapasana. Namaste.

 

Journal Entry 18th day of the 9th month of the year 1824

My cherished MuttuEve returned to us yesterday, marking a thrilling day as she awakened from her 11-year slumber since our breakthrough into this galaxy. She expressed curiosity about our whereabouts. She was not surprised to learn that we were in a star system previously unmapped by our known cosmos. It reminded me of her essay titled "There is No Perimeter: Just the Scope of Our Own Imaginations." My dear partner had returned, a decade older yet unchanged in spirit. For her, it was as if she had just departed Makria moon yesterday.

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Asterious Vocabulary and Terms

Agapa - To love and be loved at the same time. It is essentially the core of an Asterite’s existence.

Asimi - The water container used by Muttu and Arri on their distribution runs.

Conentis - To made whole or held together. Keeps Asterites in a constant state of happiness.

Dofeini - Friendly giant octopus in the north pacific ocean.

Komo - Deep state of rejuvenating sleep.

Makria - The furthest moon orbiting Asterious.

Minu - Asterious’s star they orbit that is three times that of the Earth’s sun.

Newma - Special breathing technique that helps create healing energy in their lives.

Ogapo - The art of loving and being loved.

Papyrus Pool - Where Asterite younglings are placed together to evaluate their compatibility.

Sofia - One of the three moons colonized for educating Asterites.

Stellar Vanus - The latest aircraft offering from Asterious’ best and brightest engineers.

Therapasana - Silent contemplation. 

Yamsup - Filtration system of the Vanus Stellar.

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