More Martians

The Jazz Bus: More Martians
While watching television the other night with my bride and our youngest cub a movie preview came across the screen, one about aliens from outer space. Engaging in a conversation we first directed our attention to the vernacular of the word “alien” and how we now need to be truly “P.C.” by adding “from outer space” when using the word. Secondly, we had a laugh about my Venusians experiences recently. Well actually only I had a laugh, Lil Pup just shook his head as the Chief Venusian was listening to us and cautiously watching his reaction.
But then Lil’ Cub who is a movie bug further the conversation by suggesting Hollywood and Sci-Fi writers mostly display aliens “from outer space” as creatures unlike us, ones usually much, much bigger in size. Some have tentacles, others six arms, and most possess supernatural powers of some kind. He suggested, “What if aliens are already here, years ago, at creation maybe, and are so miniscule we never, ever see them or even know they are here? Just keeping records on humans and reporting back, or controlling what we do, sort of like using us as their toys.” WHAT? Flashback time, I ask him if he ever read THE MIND PARASITES by Colon Wilson. He said “only if it was a required book”, which I knew it was not. Stupid me. But it got me thinking.
Early 1970’s, my last semester of college I took what I thought was a basket weaving course called “Sci-Fi as Literature”. The professor was a known freak of the English Department who regularly chain smoked her student’ cigarettes. The syllabus was a listing of 100 novels broken down into 20 categories (5 books per), of which you were expected to read a total of 20, one per category. Every few classes she would intro a new category and you were expected to verbally participate or submit a 10 page double spaced paper. By the second week the class was basically empty, most opted out. Just a few stayed. As I needed another English credit I remained.
As the weeks went by the group became more and more enthusiastic in their discussions. Professor just sat atop her desk, nodding her head while lighting up a smoke. Toward the end of the semester she suggested we all read one more book, THE MIND PARASITES, and if the discussion was as exciting as she thought it would be, there would be NO FINAL EXAM. Done, we all bought the book. Probably, one of the best suggestions Professor Owen had.
Imagine an archeologist discovering invisible mind parasites that only “menace the brilliant people” on earth, Never to bother with the lazy, because they considered worthless in society. The only weapon against these murderous parasites is to push your mind to its limits, thereby destroying them in your brain. However, they are always present and only attack when you sense they are in your brain. If you even remotely think about them they multiple rapidly neutralizing brain cells. Both my bride and cub acknowledged that the Mind Parasites will never bother me. jazzbus@gmail.com