They're made out of meat (1991) (terrybisson.com)

Article summary

The article features the short story 'They're Made Out of Meat' by Terry Bisson, which explores the concept of sentient beings made entirely of meat. The story is presented as a conversation between two non-human entities discussing the discovery of humans and their composition. The entities are perplexed by the idea of intelligent life forms being made of meat, and they debate the implications of this discovery. The story has been widely discussed and adapted, including a short film adaptation.

Main themes

• Sentient life forms
• Artificial intelligence
• Human composition
• Intergalactic communication
• Science fiction
• Adaptation and interpretation

What commenters say

• The short film adaptation of the story does not accurately capture the essence of the original text, particularly in its portrayal of the alien entities and their conversation.
• The story's themes and ideas are better conveyed through the written word, and the film adaptation loses some of the nuance and depth of the original.
• The concept of sentient meat is a thought-provoking and humorous commentary on the nature of life and intelligence, and the story effectively explores this idea.
• The film adaptation's use of human actors to portray the alien entities is a limitation of the medium, and it changes the tone and interpretation of the story.
• The story's ending, which implies that the alien entities decide to ignore humanity, is a commentary on the potential consequences of first contact and the complexities of intergalactic communication.
• The adaptation's decision to depict the alien entities as humanoid figures in a diner setting undermines the story's themes and ideas, and creates inconsistencies with the original text.
• The story's exploration of the idea that intelligent life can take many forms, including those that are unfamiliar or unrecognizable to humans, is a key aspect of its appeal and thought-provoking nature.
• The film adaptation's failure to include the story's punchline and key plot points, such as the 'officially or unofficially' conversation, diminishes its impact and effectiveness.