| Speculative biology is simultaneously a science and form of art in which one speculates on the possibilities of life and evolution. What could the world look like if dinosaurs had never gone extinct? What could alien lifeforms look like? What kinds of plants and animals might exist in the far future? These questions and more are tackled by speculative biologists, and the Speculative Evolution welcomes all relevant ideas, inquiries, and world-building projects alike. With a member base comprising users from across the world, our community is the largest and longest-running place of gathering for speculative biologists on the web. While unregistered users are able to browse the forum on a basic level, registering an account provides additional forum access not visible to guests as well as the ability to join in discussions and contribute yourself! Registration is free and instantaneous. Join our community today! |
| Future Predators of Humans | |
|---|---|
| Topic Started: May 17 2009, 06:07 PM (9,998 Views) | |
| rufus | May 17 2009, 06:07 PM Post #1 |
Newborn
|
I rememebr that once in Peter Ward's book he mentions the differnt things that could possibly thin the human population. He mentioned, then dismissed at once the possibility of a new sort of predator. As he correctly observes, any such predator would be quickly elininated or contained if it started preying on our species. Humans would simply not allow ourselves or our children to become food. But that got me to thinking. Suppose some future genetic scientist, engineered some sort of future predator to prey upon humans, perhaps as a way of cleansing the population of :defectives" or undesirables". The species could be genetically programed to hunt only humans as a food source. And it might be programed to eliminate only those humans who carried certain traits such as genetic maladies. This would have to be done in such a way that the human population would not know what was happening, and could not take the action needed to eliminate the predators. This creature would be engineered from humans themselves.The creature could have engineered traits from other animal species, such as camaflauge abilites, and perhaps sonar from bats to stun their prey. BTW, I thought of this idea long before that "future predator" thing from Primeval, and I thought of posting this today, even before I read that other thread. I also thought of making this idea into a story, in which the heor has to find who is releasing and controlling these predators and how to stop them. I usually try not to bash genetic science in my stories, like some authors do, but in this case the plot would demand that I do have a rogue geneticist. |
 |
 
|
| Replies: | |
|---|---|
| lamna | May 23 2009, 01:05 PM Post #31 |
 
|
Humanity, will it blend? I think technology would be the best way to wipe people out. Nuke major agricultural regions and population centres and then use drones to hunt the survivors from the sky. But we are talking about predators not killing people. |
|
Living Fossils Fósseis Vibos: Reserva Natural 34 MYH, 4 tonne dinosaur. [flash=500,450] Video Magic! [/flash] | |
|
|
|
| ashwinder | May 23 2009, 04:06 PM Post #32 |
Adolescent
|
I think the best kind of predator would be human in appearence, perhaps acting as a kind of sleeper cell. For example a young child, or an attractive man/woman engineered to cause anyone it comes into contact with a violent allergic reaction, they produce a highly virulent substance from their pores or in their saliva. 'Weak' individuals would not survive the reaction (similar to extreme anaphalactic shock) therfore they would weed out the weak from the fit. These 'humans' would be kept in facilities during the day and then released in vast numbers on urban environments at night. The men/woman would have a high libido and would enter night-clubs and sleazy bars looking for mates. The child forms would walk around 'lost' and crying and would be engineered to seek out people. The brains of these humans would be very simple; able to act out their roles and parrot certain phrases but little else. |
|
|
|
| Temporary | May 23 2009, 04:37 PM Post #33 |
|
Transhuman
|
Lamna has a point, let's go back to Predation and hunting for food and not just 'kill off the weak' alone. So what characteristics make the best predator for hunting people? 1. Reproduction: One alone can't do the job, we could easily wipe another species off the map when it's slow to reproduce, we need numbers. Lots of numbers. So let's make it capable of sexual and asexual reproduction, reproduce fast and in high numbers. Say a litter of ten a month? 2. Size: It can't be big, a large predator is easy to find, especially if you are looking for it. Small, agile, and fierce like a stoat would be better. 3. Social: At that size, to kill a human it would need to live in packs or swarms to take people on. 4. Intelligence: Maybe not our equal, but high enough to think coherently and solve complex problems. Like a monkey or a squid. Preferrably able to learn from watching like we can, or some birds. 5. Camoflauge: Probably like a squid and can change colors, or simply good at taking advantage of dividers, but it has to be able to hide. 6. Survivability: It has to be able to survive in most environments, like a water bear. Plus able to heal large portions of it's body, maybe even take advantage of the damage done, like a Hydra, and use it to reproduce. 7. Locomotion: It needs to have the ability to cross differents kinds of terrain quickly with little or no noise/tracks. 8. Motivation for Aggresion: It has to absolutely NEED to kill us. Maybe an obligate carnivore, but then it would probably go for something easier like cats or dogs. So why not a parasitoid? With offspring in that large of numbers, it may need a larger host, and without megafauna, what else but humans are there? 9. Efficency: It has to be able to kill fast or/and unnoticed. Most people live near others, so a scream for help or in pain would be bad. Perhaps it implands the offspring with a quick bite, injecting the tiny eggs into your bloodstream, without you ever knowing it's there (you won't know until the offpsring is done eating your innards). Or maybe it kills you by injecting strong paralyzing agents into you, or by the use of swarms to kill you and anyone that can help you before they have time to react. |
I'm here.  Uploaded with ImageShack.us Should we bring back Recon? Click here to share your opinion. | |
|
|
|
| lamna | May 23 2009, 05:06 PM Post #34 |
|
All those things together sound like they would not fit well. Ash has hit on a good idea, I just so happened to be watching an episode of Scrapped Princess just before this. I couldn't have killed Sim. Having killer children would be very effective. I remember reading at Orion's Arm about humans engineered to be living bombs. Ok it is not a predator but it would be useful. |
|
Living Fossils Fósseis Vibos: Reserva Natural 34 MYH, 4 tonne dinosaur. [flash=500,450] Video Magic! [/flash] | |
|
|
|
| Carlos | May 23 2009, 05:21 PM Post #35 |
Adveho in me Lucifero
|
Indeed, like ashwinder I believe human mimics are the best way to control a population. Only that, in my opinion, we don't need to engineer said aberrations to have such a simple brain; just spread these things in a regular human population and let nature assume command. Like spiders that resemble ants these human mimics would act as regular people, live as regular people, and feed exclusively on other people. Or at least have a natural desire to kill them. Either way, because they are so human they wouldn't be noticed, and normal people would be easily lured and they would only realise what their "friends" or whatever are when it would be too late. Though, such creatures need to be incapable of reproducing to avoid them to become dominant. Just individual agents, with perhaps nanotechnology to make them live longer, are enough. (Of course, in this scenario everyone is a potential victim, not just weak individuals; I like chaos ;P) |
|
Lemuria: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/5724950/ Terra Alternativa: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/forum/460637/ My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Carliro  | |
|
|
|
| ashwinder | May 23 2009, 05:32 PM Post #36 |
|
Adolescent
|
Yeah my mock-humans would all be sterile. The reason I thought low intellect might be important is I didn't want these fake-people to develop morals or have an emotional reaction to their 'role' as killing machines. After one victim is either dead or dying the fake-human just passively walks away to find another, no emotion no rationalisation that's just what they do. Also both models (child and nympho) don't need to be intelligent to find victims, they're not predators they're just the human equivalent of those orchids that roughly resemble bees, they are mimics not fully-fledged people. |
|
|
|
| lamna | May 23 2009, 05:59 PM Post #37 |
|
Low intellect would make them less effective mimics, and easier to hunt. Education to make them loyal to the end would probably be best. |
|
Living Fossils Fósseis Vibos: Reserva Natural 34 MYH, 4 tonne dinosaur. [flash=500,450] Video Magic! [/flash] | |
|
|
|
| Carlos | May 23 2009, 06:03 PM Post #38 |
|
Adveho in me Lucifero
|
Perhaps mind control a la Wolverine Origins' version of Deadpool might work. Plus I prefer blood bathes to people dying from infections; its quicklier |
|
Lemuria: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/topic/5724950/ Terra Alternativa: http://s1.zetaboards.com/Conceptual_Evolution/forum/460637/ My Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/Carliro | |
|
|
|
| agatharights | May 23 2009, 06:56 PM Post #39 |
Prime Specimen
|
...All this talk of human-mimics and machines wiping out humanity just reminded me that Terminator: Salvation needs to be seen. |
 Everything is Transformers and Dungeons & Dragons and nothing hurts. | |
|
|
|
| Canis Lupis | May 24 2009, 12:05 AM Post #40 |
Dinosaurs eat man, woman inherits the Earth.
|
The human mimic is probably the best idea. Engineer a human that can't make something vital to its survival (like spinal fluid). Then engineer the human in such a way so that it can obtain this need, then let it loose. Allow the traits for lack of this need to be spread and watch mayhem ensue. Granted, this idea was adapted from "Fringe", but it's a very scary thought. Actual vampires. |
|
|
|
| SIngemeister | May 27 2009, 12:36 PM Post #41 |
Hive Tyrant of the Essee Swarm
|
Surely something very very very big and nigh on indistructible that only thinks about eating would be a good human killer. Like a graboid, but one hell of a lot bigger. |
|
My Deviantart RRRAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHH!!!!! | |
|
|
|
| Temporary | May 27 2009, 03:18 PM Post #42 |
|
Transhuman
|
Only if it was far from major population areas. If it came near New York, we could find it and blast it. I think small carnivoric insects that come in a massive number, never stop eating and reproducing, and aren't easily affected by pesticides and insecticides maybe a better plan. |
I'm here. Uploaded with ImageShack.us Should we bring back Recon? Click here to share your opinion. | |
|
|
|
| SIngemeister | May 27 2009, 03:34 PM Post #43 |
|
Hive Tyrant of the Essee Swarm
|
Well, on the world Horta IX, Mawworms, huge 44m worms that are basically hungry stomach with a lot of teeth at one end, who are basically immune to all but swallowing tactical thermonuclear devices, have forced most humans to live in airships. |
|
My Deviantart RRRAAAAAARRRRGGGGHHH!!!!! | |
|
|
|
| colddigger | May 27 2009, 07:40 PM Post #44 |
Joke's over! Love, Parasky
|
we have to consider where this hunts, if around islands it can work like the humboldt squid, if around jungles it can work like the tiger, if it hunts in cities or more west civ areas then we will need something a little more unique... How about something that leaves remains so it appears to be a murder case, the creature can select a victim/scapegoat that the deaths tend to point towards. It could be considered a lifestyle parasite, choosing someone with a rather repetitive day and attacking people along their routes. Eventually the person becomes extremely paranoid and fearful -this only supports the theory of him/her being the killer-... Good story idea, I think I'll take it. Edited by colddigger, May 27 2009, 07:41 PM.
|
|
Oh Fine. Oh hi you! Why don't you go check out the finery that is SGP?? v Don't click v Spoiler: click to toggle | |
|
|
|
| Xenophile | May 27 2009, 07:48 PM Post #45 |
Formerly known as alienboy.
|
More characteristics/traits of a super predator: Termite: Termites of the Nasutitermes specieshave incredibly strong jaws and the ability to squirt toxic glue. Termite queens are also constantly laying eggs. Bombardier beetles: they have the ability to spray a highly acidic spray at attackers Pit viper: These snakes are able to sense heat Vulture: The vulture is able to digest incredibaly fowl substances Rat: Rats are able to chew through steel and have incredibaly flexible bones Tortise: Tortises have a strong shell Angler Fish: These fish have expandable stomachs Spiting Cobras: These animals can spit toxins at targets 30ft. away Great White Sharks: Have an incredibly strong bite force and have replacable teeth. They are also able to sense electricity. |
|
|
|
| 1 user reading this topic (1 Guest and 0 Anonymous) | |
| Go to Next Page | |
| « Previous Topic · Evolutionary Continuum · Next Topic » |
7:39 PM Jul 13