explain `They're Made out of Meat`
"They're Made Out of Meat" is a science fiction short story by Terry Bisson, first published in 1991. The story explores the idea of a possible extraterrestrial civilization that is composed entirely of meat.
The story takes place in the year 2160, where a probe is sent to Earth to communicate with the human inhabitants. The probe is equipped with a universal translator, which assumes that all intelligent beings will be carbon-based and have a similar biochemistry. However, when the probe encounters the human species, it is surprised to find that humans are, in fact, made of meat.
The story's title is a quote from the probe's conversation with a human, who is trying to explain human biology to the probe. The human says, "They're made out of meat," which is a simple and unexpected response to the probe's question about the nature of human beings. The phrase has since become a cultural reference point and a symbol of the absurdity and complexity of interspecies communication.
The story explores themes of identity, consciousness, and the possibility of life beyond Earth. It also raises questions about the nature of intelligence, the possibility of intelligent life in other forms, and the limitations of our understanding of the universe.
"They're Made Out of Meat" has been widely praised for its thought-provoking and humorous exploration of these themes, and it has become a classic of science fiction literature.
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