Read the short story "A Martian Odyssey" by Stanley G. Weinbaum and respond to the discussion question on the class bulletin board: Do you think Tweel and his race are more, less, or the same level of being as humans? Why do you think so?

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2005

Answers

In the intellectual sense of the question, I think Tweel and his presumed kindred are of the same level of intellect as humans. Tweel's race, however, merely uses a different language and language pattern as a result of evolution. My assessment of Tweel as on the same level as humans is generated from the fact that Tweel doesn't show anything to suggest a lesser intellect than Jarvis. By that same token, Tweel doesn't do anything that suggests he is of a higher intellect, though Jarvis seems to think otherwise, as he couldn't grasp some of Tweel's concepts while Tweel could grasp most, if not all, of his.

I'd like to take this opportunity to point out the striking similarity of this story to the Time Machine, in that a character is put in a strange environment, befriends (through saving) an alien creature, and with this creature battles other, lesser creatures.

And if John is Spock, then who's Dr. McCoy?

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2005

I did feel like Tweel was of a higher intellect than humans. As the man points out, Tweel was able to use very simple words to express rather complex concepts, as in the case of the Silicon beast and the little deelies with the egg-deely. I would imagine trying to express the concept, say, of a group intelligence using a grand total of three different words, to be rather akin to trying to shut your eyes and describe a color - next to impossible to do! It seems Tweel's mental capacity has evolved beyond simple linear reasoning, as in men's minds, such that he can attack a problem from many different angles. Should contact between the two races continue, I imagine that humans would have much to learn (and not the other way around).

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2005

I think it hard to compare the two, as the man said, they would have developed very differently. They would have not thought of things in the same way, a sandstrom may feel like heaven to Tweel and so on and so forth. He has found complexity in simplicity, if you follow. He is a very happy-go0lucky, fun dude, but like John said, he has the ability to take these small things he has and come up with something amazing. I think he is higher because of this ability. To make all these materials he keeps with him on a planet made of desert. I think Tweel Rocked.

Ror

hmm .... Bains ... you take the cake with McCoy, but who is Scotty?

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2005

What i got out of the story was that Tweel was in fact of a more advanced race than the humans in the story. I would note that the humans in this story are kind of stupid. They seem very close-minded as opposed to Tweel who accepts ideas like group conciousness, and explains them quickly. I think that there are, without a doubt, humans at the same level as Tweel but the humans in the story ain't it. It is rather hard to judge an entire race by one indiviual. For example if the race were judged based on Hitler we wouldn't come out so hot. I got the feeling that Tweel was not from Mars; one passage seemed to indicate that. Anyone else get that?

Who would be Scotty? I mean who runs the engines of the ship, and is then able to work miracles if they get broken...

Maria, maybe? Only without the accent, or the loudness.

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2005

I think that Tweel's race is very, very different from our own, with a possibly more complicated way of thinking and speaking. It is obvious that Tweel is at least as smart as the humans intellectually and is definately more open-minded about other possible ways of thinking. However, Tweel probably is from Mars because of references to how he could withstand the sandstorm. He does seem to hold the sky in high regard, as seen in the beginning, which could lead to the idea that maybe they have already been into space. Tweel does seem to be very intelligent and if all of his race are that smart, than perhaps their race is more advanced or on a higher level, but the human race is highly variable with regards to intelligence and Tweel may just be a genius. However they relate to humans, Tweel's race in obviously different from the human race in, as displayed in their choice of weapon.

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2005

I would definitely say that Tweel's kind is more advanced than humans - the little glass hundred-loader of his is WAY cooler than an ordinary 45. I know I want one. Also, humans only discovered planets through astronomy, while these guys knew about planets they couldn't even see.

I vote Ranjan as Scotty - Catholic and can carry the accent admirably, but why is John Spok? My portrait even has pointy ears on the card...

-- Anonymous, February 15, 2005

I think that the race of Tweel (if there are any of the species other than Tweel) is more intelligent than the human race. As Jarvis frequently points out, Tweel was able to understand him but he was unable to understand Tweel. Also, Tweel was able to communicate difficult concepts through the few human words that he knew. However, Tweel and his race are probably not leaps and bounds ahead of humans intellectually. Tweel shared some of the same technology as Jarvis, after all (similar guns). In conclusion, Tweel was sweet.

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2005

I think Tweel is on the same intellectual level as humans. He has a great grasp on what is happening in the story and makes remarkable communication efforts with Jarvis. Plus, he shows loyalty to Jarvis (another species), which isn't a common feature of lower intelligent beasts.

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2005

Well Nick, I think you're more of a data, and well John has this infinite knowledge ... of a lot of stuff, the class wouldn't flow without John Walk. The Enterprose doesn't flow without Spock.

Ranjan is a very potential Scotty, but who is Sulu?

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2005

Yeah Nick is definitely Data. He's logical one who doesn't express a lot of emotion...No offense, but its true.

Maria is definitely Scotty...She understands the workings of Sci-Fi better than any of us, and though she is not as loud as Rajhan she's definitely more scottish.

Eric Larson is definitely Jordy LaForge. I don't have an argument for this one, he just is...

Who's Chekov?

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2005

I think that Tweel is smarter than humans. Jarvis' logic swayed my opinion mostly. Tweel is able to grasp little human speech and math and communicate even more through it. Jarvis on the other hand cannot understand anything of Tweel's speech, if it is speech. However, Jarvis is smart enough to know how to explain human speech to Tweel, while Tweel cannot reciprocate. Either the Tweel's language is on a higher echelon of thought from humans or he is not as smart. I to disbelieve the latter.

"The ship can't take no more, Captain!"

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2005

I agree with Jarvis in the conclusion that Tweel and his race are on a higher level of existence than humans, both by his logic of Tweel's higher knowledge of his assumed home planet and his ability to better communicate with Jarvis using English rather than Jarvis using Martian. Tweel also seems be have more of the characteristics we consider "human" than the other scientists do--he is patient, trusting, does not seem to mock his new friend, and refuses to abandon Jarvis when they are being attacked by the strange cart- pushers. I actually liked Tweel better than all other characters--I thought he was nifty.

-- Anonymous, February 16, 2005