The Most Detailed Alien Species in Sci-Fi?

What is the most detailed alien species in sci fi? Discover the unbelievably dense lore of Christian Cline’s ‘The Yaetuan Sagas.’

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There’s no shortage of aliens in sci-fi. Fantastical beings from distant worlds have been a staple of the genre since its conception. Yet while entertaining, not all pop-culture aliens are the most scientifically rigorous.

But The Yaetuan Sagas, a vast new speculative evolution project from talented artist Christian Cline, explores its titular species with breathtaking detail. With over two hundred pages dedicated to the Yaetuan’s epic journey from microbes to the stars, the book might be the densest exploration of a single alien species ever written.

So, for this entry into the archive, we’ll attempt to fathom the sheer complexity of the Yaetuans with a little help from the author himself…

0:00 The Yaetuan Sagas
0:56 Dawn of Life
5:43 Rise of Civilization
9:43 Fires of Industry
13:42 Exodus and Beyond
18:15 Innumerable Stars
21:20 Support the Project

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I do not own the images, music, or footage used in this video. All rights and credit goes to the original owners.

♫ Music by Karl Casey @ White Bat Audio:
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Beauty Flow, Majestic Hills, Floating Cities
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#CuriousArchive #SpeculativeBiology #Worldbuilding

[MudPearl]

Speculative biology is growing as a result of your channel and I’m so happy because of it! The communities growth is beautiful to see

[Red-in-Green]

I love how hopeful this is. The Yaetuans met and fell at every hurdle we have faced, but they pushed on. It’s that same human(oid) spirit that has driven us forward as far as we’ve gotten, coupled with the promise that we can always make things better, no matter how bad it gets. As long as we cling to life, we can still come back.

[octologue]

I really like the fact that the design of the yaetuan and their expression is very relatable, it may be not really scientifically accurate that "smiling" is a commun trait for express happiness but I think it's no big deal.

[williek]

The beakpaste ad made me chuckle, it's so charming seeing something so alien and yet so familiar at the same time

[Tallacus]

these non humanoid aliens is why I love science fiction, an animated mini series of the story would be cool

[freakishuproar]

Glad to see Cline publishing again :D Despite how relatively recent a work it is, _The Teeming Universe_ has forever secured a place in my all time one-hundred favourite books. An essential addition to any speculative biology library.

[gmm]

This. This right here. This is the level of world-building that I, as an aspiring science fiction / alternate history writer, hope to one day achieve. Christian Cline's books, as well as the work of Alex Ries and (I don't remember his name) the guy who writes Serina, have all been huge inspirations to me and doubtless many others. The artwork in of itself is breathtaking but the ideas behind them are even more so. And the fact that most of it is based around real scientific laws and principles only makes it even more interesting. Anyone can create a fantasy creature or monster, but creating something that could realistically exist; that's just way more incredible to me. It just helps to show people how wondrous and amazing biology and evolution can get.

Edit: Also, does that fat Yaetuan at 14:30 have a missing back leg? That makes me sad 😢.

[arindoran]

I used to create spec evo worlds so much as a child. You've recently rekindled that passion in me and have caused me to start back up with a project I started back in high school nearly twelve years ago! I absolutely love all of your videos, keep up the great work

[ArachisNPO]

This is so cool! It's literally our, humanity's story, but viewed through the eyes of an alien species (and we are the aliens in this context). In other words, this lets us feel how an alien species would view us, if they would learn about our history. With really minor differences (the Roman Empire split and fell, but not because of a super volcano; we didn't have a nuclear war, but almost, and two Japanese cities were nuked down; etc.)
13:16 And from this point forward, it's a prophecy of a possible future for humanity.

[FloriOnRails]

I think this is almost more speculative extraterrestrial anthropology or history rather than biology. Which I don't mean to be criticism but an appreciation of variety this kind of art is being able to create.

[GuyShōtō]

Christian Cline's works are constistently some of the most impressive world building I've seen. I love the design and history the Yaetuans, and their culture reminds of a blend of Chinese, Japanese, with splashes of modern North American and European in their technological apex. Cline is a fantastic artist and his writing and drawings really show it.

[madwolf]

Your the reason i love speculative biology keep it up always excited to see what's next

[Tyrex_Productions]

I bought the Teeming Universe book because of this channel! This looks amazing! The Yaetuan’s history is so incredible! I’d definitely watch a Yaetuan mocumentary series

[rga]

I think they were in an earlier episode, were they? Still, I really appreaciate how incredible the Yaetuan saga is, Cline really manages to bridge speculative biology with speculative anthropology and history and imagine a future in which after much effort is taken to a better world

[craz]

Christian casually dropping the most awsome book about evolution ever is the best

[fahdrightone]

I'm glad Christian mentioned religion through the second wave of settlers on Agda, I feel like religion is never used in speculative alien races (most likely because atheism and scientific knowledge go hand in hand), so seeing a religion, though minor, be mentioned is very nice.

[Maxybro]

I love how realistic the yaetuan saga is. It isnt a straight line but it has its ups and downs

[nerium]

This makes me think a lot to Bibliaridion's "Alien biospheres" on youtube. A playlist of about 8h30 of evolving all that lives on one planet until it soon reaches self-conscious lifeforms !

[dudotolivier]

Will you one day considered to do a video about the Pikmin franchise universe or one about the 2005 Skull Island version, with the help of the extended book "The World of Kong : A Natural History of Skull Island" ?
Because that would be really interesting subject to speak and explore about !

[Wash-tqed]

Hey Curious Archives!! You need to cover the series “Tales of Kaimere” by Keenan Taylor! He has a super detailed world based around earth-based life being brought to another planet to evolve independently and it’s author is an awesome guy who collaborates with his fans to add different facets to his world!