Author : Valeryn & Nikita Seet
For this project, Nikita and I chose to introduce a camera to the heptapods. The picture above shows a pioneer plaque that shows the operations of a camera. The pioneer plaque helps the heptapods to understand the concept of a camera. We are utilizing this to exchange information on how a camera assists in capturing a moment in time.
How do explain what a camera is to heptapods?
The heptapods, just like any other living thing, interact with each other. The reading Story of Your Life, explains the methods humans took to understand and communicate with the heptapods in their own language. We understand from the reading that the heptapods have similar modes of communication and senses as humans. Their eyesight and vocality allows us to have an easier mode of communication with them. If the heptapods had lacked the sense of sight, the experiment would not have been successful with a mere pioneer plaque. However, their slight difference in view should also be acknowledged. According to the reading, the heptapods have seven eyes on the top of their body which alters their navigation of the world; unlike humans who have a forward and backward direction, heptapods do not. With simple association and directional actions, we are able to educate the heptapods on certain concepts and knowledge.
To explain the conceptuality of a camera, we can first demonstrate the ability to capture a visual in a specific moment for an infinite amount of time. Simply put, a camera is a box with a hole that allows light to enter inside it, to assist in the capture of a picture. As shown in the diagram above, the camera acts as a mode of holding an image for later viewing. It is important to note that there are many types of cameras available but the idea behind each is the same. The camera that we are explaining to the heptapods is a pinhole camera which was first invented in 1856. We chose this camera to explain to the heptapods as it is one of the earliest cameras made so it should be easier for the heptapod to get a grasp of what a camera is. The camera takes in an image and later captures it to the wall of the box. With the heptapods understanding the camera, it would mean a huge discovery for us humans as they could show us how they survive in outer space.
When communicating this idea with the heptapods, we emphasize the way a camera takes a visual from reality and copies it into an image. This nature of informing the heptapods would be almost fully visual in the sense that explaining the linguistics of camera-technology would be difficult to achieve. It may be possible after gaining extended knowledge of the heptapod’s own language and attaining the ability to translate into their own form of communication. However, as also seen in the reading, getting the heptapods to understand simple concepts and associations should be more than enough to communicate this simple system that is part of human culture.