A rundown of the top ten strangest monsters in historic medieval European art. It was exceedingly difficult to narrow this list down to just ten. -- If you don’t know anything about Medieval art, you might reasonably assume old illustrated texts featured basic depictions of historical and religious figures. But medieval art is overflowing with absurdity — particularly when it comes to depictions of myth and monsters. Beyond the legends of dragons and unicorns you might be familiar with is a truly insane world of lesser known ancient creatures which stretch the imagination with their utter bizarreness. So today, we’re going to take a look at the top ten strangest of these monsters: 10 – Monopod 9 – Bonnacon 8 – Sea Monk 7 – Salamander 6 – Amphisbaena 5 – Shurale 4 – Snail 3 – Blemmyes 2 – Vegetable Lamb 1 – Gryllus
The funniest examples of medieval European paintings where the artist had clearly never seen the animal before. Medieval European art of animals often looked… a little different from the real-world species. European texts and illuminated manuscripts from this period are full of hilarious attempts to depict of far-off species, so here’s a breakdown of some of the most inaccurate — and most amusing — examples. Elephant Hippopotamus Giraffe Hyena Tiger Ostrich Pelican Whale Dolphin Sea Turtle Crocodile Scorpion ???
Becoming an outlaw in Medieval Europe was much different than being a criminal today. An outlaw in the Middle Ages outlaw was literally 'outside' the protection of the law. You might be familiar with the legendary ideal of outlaws like Robin Hood: living on the outskirts of English society, robbing from the wealthy and giving to the poor. Based on such tales, one might assume being an outlaw in the medieval age was synonymous with being a criminal, but this is far from the case. If you were a medieval era outlaw and someone were to murder you, that person wouldn’t face legal consequences. In short, it was almost like The Purge, but only applied to you. Dangers of Outlawry Roman Outlaws Other Outlaws Eric the Red Outlawry Today
Did you know some Vikings carried around little spoons they used to clean out their ears? Or that some ancient Egyptians used a kind of early breath mint to smell better? Too often, many of us assume of past societies were dirty and germ-infested, but truthfully, there’s a lot of ancient hygiene practices which were surprisingly inventive. And some, like the Xylospongium which are maybe better left in the past. From Greece to the Aztec Empire, here are six curious and imaginative practices from around the ancient world you might not have heard of before. Viking Ear-Spoons Egyptian Breath Mints (Kapets) Roman Laundromat (Fullonicae) Greek Strigil Greek & Roman Xylospongium Chinese Paper Aztec Deodorant
During the Eocene period, tiny ‘early drafts’ of mammals related to species you know today first evolved. Studying these miniature animals feels like peeking at someone’s baby photos. Most modern mammals are descendants of species tiny enough outlast the extinction event which wiped out the dinosaurs, and then grew in size and diversity to fill the ecological niches the dinosaurs left in their wake. As result of this shared origin, most early mammals — with some notable exceptions — were on the smaller side for several million years. Most of these diminutive ancestors of the species we know today emerged during the Eocene period, a geological epoch which lasted from about 56 to 33.9 mya. So, let’s examine the fossils of the species which populated this period at different points, and explain their connection to the mammals we know today.
Out-of-place Artifacts like the Antikythera Mechanism, Maine Penny, and Roman Dodecahedrons seem mysterious. Let’s examine the real historical explanations behind them. Out-of-place Artifacts are any historical object that seems, at a glance, to go against our understanding of historical chronology. Some artifacts appear "too advanced" for the technology of the period they were created, and seem like they’ve fallen out of time. The mystery of these artifacts has led to a range of wild speculation, involving everything from aliens to time travel. As much fun as it is to think someone with a flux-capacitor popped by and accidentally left a cell phone in ancient Rome, most of these objects have reasonable explanations within archeology and history.
When you think ‘Ectoplasm,’ your first thought might be that one scene from Ghostbusters. But the history of Ectoplasm dates back to the 19th century and early 20th century. Attempts to communicate with the dead have a long history, but the classic seance—with the darkened room, the circle of people, and the dead speaking through a medium—rose to prominence in the mid-nineteenth century. Interest died down, but then, in the 1920s, after the First World War, séances spiked like never before as survivors tried to make sense of a world shattered by mass death and conflict. Struggling to process the loss of loved ones, people increasingly turned to the world of the paranormal as a source of comfort, hoping to speak to deceased family members as a way of processing their grief.
Some cryptids, once thought to be myths, against all odds turned out to be real animals. Here are seven of the most incredible. The word ‘Cryptid’ refers to any entity whose existence has yet to be documented outside of legends and myths — like… the Loch Ness Monster. But believe it or not, many real animals you might recognize today were once cryptids themselves, thought to exist only in folklore. As humankind has explored more and more remote parts of our planet’s surface, increasingly fantastical organisms have been discovered. So, for this entry into the archives, we’re going to catalogue seven real animals once upon a time thought to be cryptids.
Monsters have been part of human myth since our beginning. But what monster was the very first thing which goes bump in the night? The monsters our ancestors spoke of in hushed tones weren’t just random creatures, but reflections of dominant fears in the cultures that birthed them. Our focus today is to identify the oldest monster explicitly recorded in written mythology. The creature is likely one you’ve never heard of. It comes from the Epic of Gilgamesh — an epic myth from ancient Mesopotamia, and quite possibly the oldest piece of notable literature. The epic chronicles the deeds of Gilgamesh, who encounters various creatures throughout the poem. No monster, however, is as powerful as the very first one he meets. Likely the first monster in recorded history — Humbaba The Terrible.
The Codex Seraphinianus is one of the most mysterious and indecipherable books ever written. The book an Encyclopedia — of a world that doesn’t exist. Originally published in 1981, Codex Seraphinianus is not an easy book to track down. Written by surreal artist Luigi Serafini, the book is designed to be completely alien to anyone who picks it up. The world of impossibilities within at first don’t seem to follow any logic. Not only are the images utterly mind-bending, but it’s written in a made-up, and thoroughly untranslatable language. And yet, the more you read, the more you find a strange sense of continuity among the images. So, for this entry into the archive, I’m going to do my best to document the alternate dimension Luigi Serafini created, bearing in mind the codex is, by design, meant to be untranslatable.
What would our world look like if the dinosaurs still ruled over it? ‘The New Dinosaurs’ by Dougal Dixon asks this very question. Around 66 million years ago, an asteroid struck our planet and triggered a mass extinction that wiped out all non-avian dinosaurs. But, what if it hadn’t? This theoretical timeline is the subject of the speculative zoology book ‘The New Dinosaurs’ — written by Dougal Dixon, who popularized speculative zoology with a trilogy which also includes ‘After Man’ and ‘Man After Man. Dixon’s work influenced other series you might know like the Future is Wild, and C. M. Kosemen's ambitious ‘All Tomorrows.’ But ‘The New Dinosaurs’ is unique in how imagines not the future — but an alternate form of the present. So, for this entry into the archive, we’re going to catalog this other world Dixon conceptualized — bearing in mind some of the science is a bit outdated, and it’s of course impossible to know exactly what such a timeline would look like.
Fresno Nightcrawlers are an unusual and hilarious cryptid. This video will break down the sightings, reactions, and plausibility of such creatures Our breakdown of Fresno Nightcrawlers begins with an unknown individual living in Fresno, California checking their backyard security camera and allegedly, discovering what looks like a pair of pants, just going for a stroll. The blurry video was the internet’s first glance at the unusual and frankly hilarious cryptid now known as the Fresno Nightcrawler. As you can imagine, the sheer strangeness of these supposed cryptids has captured the imagination of many individuals on the internet. disproportionately long legs. Most portrayals of the creature created in reaction to the footage portray the being with two black eyes. In the end, regardless of their true authenticity, Fresno Nightcrawlers can be real in our hearts. These little dudes might not look much like real organisms, or real in general, but they do look wonderful.
Imagine a version of Earth fifty million years in the future — where humanity has vanished, and extraordinary new creatures have evolved. Welcome to Dougal Dixon’s “After Man.” ‘After Man’ is a retro-art filled speculative zoology book written by Dougal Dixon. The book is part of a trilogy alongside ‘Man After Man’ and ‘The New Dinosaurs’ — I have a video on The new Dinosaurs in the archive. After Man also influenced other series like the Future is Wild, and C. M. Kosemen's infamous ‘All Tomorrows.’ ‘After Man’s’ impact no surprise, as the post-human Earth Dixon brings to life within the pages feels so familiar, and yet so alien. And the biology of the futuristic animals he showcases are so strange, it’s worth taking a closer look. So, for this entry into the archive, we’re going to break down the animal ecosystems of the far future, bearing in mind that some of the science is outdated, and it’s impossible to know exactly what such a world would look like.
Under the Triassic waves, some of the most interesting organisms in our planet’s history evolved. Although often overlooked, the Triassic was an era of incredible adaptation. Around 251 million years ago, the sun rose on the Triassic period. Although sometimes overlooked, the Triassic marked the evolution of some of the most unique organisms in our planet’s history — especially under the waves. Within the waters of the Triassic dwelt reptiles with hammer-shaped faces, fish with buzz-saw like teeth which confounded scientists for centuries, and some of the largest — and most often forgotten — marine predators of all time. The Triassic Period began with a global cataclysm. An extinction event known as the Great Dying, caused by elevated temperatures and oceanic acidification, resulted in over ninety percent of all life in the oceans (including the long-enduring trilobites) dying out.
How might scientists reconstruct modern animals years into the future? This is a breakdown of “All Todays” — a thought experiment from the “All Tomorrows” author C. M. Kosemen, with John Conway and Darren Naish. Imagine what would happen if, millions of years into the future, scientists — perhaps from other planets — tried to create depictions of the long extinct organisms they found in Earth’s fossil record. This concept is part of a thought experiment, “All Todays,” written in part by the astonishing author C. M. Koseman — whose work you might have seen from his other most famous book “All Tomorrows.” “All Todays” is a section in the larger 2012 art book “All Yesterdays,” dreamed up by not just C. M. Kosemen, but Darren Naish — a renowned zoologist, paleontologist and author, and John Conway: an immensely talented paleo-artist.
What did dinosaurs ‘really’ look like? This is a breakdown of “All Yesterdays” — a book from the “All Tomorrows” author C. M. Kosemen, with John Conway and Darren Naish. Take a moment to think about the appearance of a modern bird – like a parrot, or something similar. We know these animals have relatively thick bodies, feathery coats, unique patterns, and varying colors. Now, think about a parrot’s skeleton. Based on the bones alone, these birds seem like they’d have long, slender frames — yet the layers of skin and feather coverings make them look quite different than their gaunt skeletal structures might suggest. And this exact phenomenon presents a practical challenge when it comes to reconstructing accurate depictions of dinosaurs. The challenge of capturing the forgotten peculiarities of dinosaurs is at the center of “All Yesterdays,” a book written and illustrated in part by C.M. Koseman — whose work you know from his other most famous book “All Tomorrows.”
Did you know the rhinoceros and horse are related? Or that the elephant and hippopotamus aren’t (relatively speaking)? Sometimes, you can tell if two animals are related just by looking at them. It’s no surprise dogs and wolves share a common ancestor, or that squirrels and chipmunks are in the same family. But occasionally, two different species share a close relation which stretches the mind. So, let’s take a look at the animals you’d never guess are related.
Imagine carbon-based alien life which is truly ‘alien.’ This is a breakdown of Alex Ries’s incredible worldbuilding art project: ‘The World of the Birrin.’ Somewhere in the vast unknown of space, alien life may be waiting for us. But these beings, even if they’re carbon-based like we are, probably won’t be the familiar humanoids present in many stories — but organisms which are truly, well, alien. Alex Ries is an artist who strives to imagine speculative aliens with genuinely unique appearances. He also worked behind the scenes on the various aliens of the video game Subnautica.
Imagine the far future of an alien civilization. This is a breakdown of Alex Ries’s incredible worldbuilding art project: ‘The World of the Birrin.’ This video is the second part of a two-part series exploring the incredible speculative alien world of the Birrin. The world of the Birrin was realized by Alex Ries — an exceptional designer and worldbuilder who worked on the video game Subnautica. In the last video, we broke down the biology and early history of the Birrin, a six-limbed sentient alien race at the center of this fictional world. But there’s still a lot to cover. Which is why, in this entry into the archive, we’ll be chronicling the next several eons of Birrin history, following their incredible arc into the far future…
The hilarious explanations behind some of the popular medieval art memes you may have seen online without context. A lot of art from the Middle Ages is so bizarre, it seems… beyond explanation. Which is why it’s no surprise that these seemingly nonsensical images have become popular sources of memes in recent years. It’s hard not to look at some images and ask yourself… wait, what is going on here? So, for this entry into the archive, I try to track down the real meaning behind some of these images that have circulated on the internet without context. But keep in mind that what I’ve found in my research is that for many illustrations… medieval art historians are just as confused as the rest of us.
Imagine if dinosaurs evolved human intelligence. This is an exploration of C.M. Kosemen’s and Simon Roy’s incredible worldbuilding art project: ‘Dinosauroids.’ Imagine an alternate world where dinosaurs evolved intelligence comparable to humans. What might these intelligent dinosaurs look like? What kind of technology, culture, and art might they produce? This speculative timeline is the subject of “Dinosauroids,” a worldbuilding project conceptualized in part by C.M. Kosemen — whose work you may know from his sci-fi book “All Tomorrows,” or his speculative paleontology book “All Yesterdays” — the latter of which I’ve got a video on elsewhere in the archive. “Dinosauroids” also comes from Simon Roy, an accomplished comic book artist and writer who created much of the art featured in this video.
What kinds of alien life might evolve on a planet with weaker gravity than Earth's? An exploration of Sam Vilasboas’s speculative alien world "Anu." Nearly every form of life on our planet is, in some way or another, determined by the same, invisible force: gravity. Earth’s gravitational pull influences the parameters of animals’ body plans, maximum size, and behavior — often limiting the ways in which life can evolve. But an earth-like level of gravity isn’t a constant through the universe. Imagine a planet where gravity is much, much weaker than it is on earth. This speculative hypothetical is the inspiration behind the fictional alien world of Anu, a creation of the talented artist Sam Vilasboas. The organisms on Anu have evolved into very different forms than what could feasibly exist on our own planet.
Fragments of the Past is a vast world inspired by ancient Mediterranean myth and civilizations. Today, we’ll be taking a deep dive into the history, myths, and culture of this fictional world. Few things inspire one’s imagination more than the fragmentary artifacts of ancient civilizations, ones that once prospered and are now lost to time. Looking at such objects can make you wonder what other great civilizations could have risen and fallen without a trace long ago. “Fragments of the Past” is a fantasy world which echoes the lost artifacts and fragmented tales of classical history. It’s an imaginary bronze age epic — a vast world inspired by ancient Mediterranean myth and civilizations. It’s a realm of sun and sea, of gods and heroes, of war and fine art. The worldbuilding project is the creation of talented Italian artist and writer Massimiliano Haematinon Nigro.
What would happen if you left canaries alone on a world to evolve for hundreds of millions of years? This is a breakdown of Dylan Bajda’s speculative evolution epic ‘Serina.’ Imagine what could happen if you left a type of bird — for example… finches — alone on a lush planet without predators for hundreds of millions of years. What kinds of incredible forms might evolve? If you consider that mammals grew from a few rodent-like species into elephants, whales, horses, bats, and primates in a much shorter period after the extinction of dinosaurs — you’ll start to realize just how incredible things might get.
What strange creatures might emerge after a mass extinction on an alien moon? Part II a series on of Dylan Bajda’s speculative evolutionary epic ‘Serina.’ This video is the second part of a series exploring the incredible speculative evolution project of Serina, the world of birds. Serina was created by Dylan Bajda — an exceptional artist and worldbuilder. When we left off, Serina was just beginning to warm at the end of the Cryocene Era. Now, it is the Thermocene, a hothouse world of rising sea levels and increasing volcanic activity that has led to some extinctions — especially in the warming oceans, where large animals like the bloons have sadly died out. In much of the world, however, newly evolved species are enjoying this new climate.
What intelligent life will emerge in the final years of an alien moon? Part III of a series on Dylan Bajda’s speculative evolutionary epic ‘Serina.’ This video is the third part of a series exploring the incredible speculative evolution project of Serina, the world of birds. Serina was created by Dylan Bajda — an exceptional artist and worldbuilder. When we left off, Serina was home to a single supercontinent at the end of the Pangeacene. Now it is the Ultimocene, the final era of Serina — and one more incredible than any that came before. This period will see the rise of multiple forms of highly intelligent life.
The Voynich Manuscript is one of the most mysterious books ever written. It’s the book that nobody has been able to translate. If you’ve ever picked up a book, and found it’s full of surreal plants, unknown diagrams, zodiac rings, and a language which is completely undecipherable, you’re likely looking at a copy of the Voynich manuscript: the book that nobody can translate. This medieval text, which has been dated to the early 15th century, is one of the most mysterious books ever written, as even after hundreds of years, no one has been able to definitively decode it…
Have you ever wondered what Pokémon might look like as realistic lifeforms? An analysis of the hypothetical biology of RJ Palmer’s incredible realistic Pokémon. By their very nature, Pokémon are highly stylized, so reimagining them as biologically feasible lifeforms presents an exciting challenge. This concept is the idea behind the Realistic Pokémon project, a series by RJ Palmer, aka ‘Arvalis’ who is so talented he was hired to assist with the designs for movies like Detective Pikachu. His art imagines what kind of biology a more scientifically grounded version of a Pokémon might have — often with fascinating results.
What would Pokémon look like as more realistic lifeforms? Part II of a series exploring the hypothetical biology of RJ Palmer’s incredible realistic Pokémon. By their very nature, This video is the second half of a series exploring the biology and ecosystems of realistic Pokémon. The Realistic Pokémon art project was created by the artist RJ Palmer, aka ‘Arvalis’ who is so talented he was hired to assist with the designs for movies like Detective Pikachu This second round of redesigns features amazing biological details and an even wider variety of Pokémon.
What would alien life look like on a planet far larger than Earth? A voyage to Phtanum B, an alien world envisioned by creator SteveMobCannon. Imagine an earth-like planet far larger than our own. NASA has actually discovered numerous exoplanets, dubbed ‘super-earths,’ which are over twice the size of our tiny home-world. Most of these super-earths can’t support life, but it’s interesting to imagine what sorts of organisms we’d discover on a super-sized version of a habitable world... Phtanum B is a speculative biology project created by the brilliant Stevemobcannon, who imagines just such a planet, and the incredible alien life that might evolve on it.
What would the biology of a realistic order of dragons look like? A detailed exploration of VikasRao’s speculative Draconology project. Classic books like Dragonology and fictional documentaries like Discovery Channel’s Dragon Special have entertained the hypothetical idea of realistic dragons in the past, but I’ve been looking for more scientific takes on these mythical creatures. Enter Draconology — a meticulously-detailed spin on the concept that imagines dragons as a parareptilian offshoot which emerged millions of years ago, and have survived until the modern day. The project was created by the artist VikasRao, and his Draconology series is unbelievably comprehensive.
How might life evolve on planets much different than Earth? An exploration of the book 'The Teeming Universe' by Christian Cline. Imagine you’re an interstellar traveler. What sorts of alien life might you find out there in the universe? It’s interesting to speculate on how life might evolve in the depths of a planet covered by oceans, or the skies of a world with an atmosphere teeming with floating life. This concept is explored in great scientific detail in The Teeming Universe: an interstellar field guide by speculative author and artist Christian Cline. The book, which I have a link to down below, explores how alien life might evolve on various types of planets much different from our own.
What would a responsibly run park of resurrected dinosaurs look like? A tour of Joshua Dunlop’s fictional project ‘Prehistorica.’ Bringing back dinosaurs would probably end in an… unfortunate outcome, as the Jurassic Park franchise has shown us countless times. But I can’t deny, I’ve still always been interested in the concept of a responsibly-run prehistoric reserve where nothing goes wrong and the dinosaurs don’t eat you. That’s the basic concept behind the fictional park of Prehistorica, a biological nature preserve where resurrected dinosaurs and other prehistoric animals are treated with care and the fences actually work.
ust what is the ‘Mystery Flesh Pit National Park?’ An explanation of Trevor Robert’s fictional multimedia project and the massive speculative lifeform at the center of it. If an underground organism of unfathomable size were unearthed in the United States, you might expect widespread panic at the horrifying discovery — or expect the U.S. government to block off the cosmic horror from civilians. You might not expect the entity to be turned into a theme park marketed towards all ages. But that’s what happened with the (thankfully) fictional “Mystery Flesh Pit National Park,” the name given to a creature of indeterminate size and origin that was nonetheless turned into a tourist attraction. Just the sort of thing to explore at this spooky time of year.
Imagine alien life that's truly 'alien.' A tour of “Snaiad” — a speculative biology project from the “All Tomorrows” author C. M. Kosemen. If we were ever to discover alien life, it’s highly likely we’d find it mind-blowing, and maybe even a little disturbing. One science fiction project which truly excels at depicting this is ‘Snaiad:’ which is one of the most detailed speculative biology projects of all time. The famous fictional world of Snaiad is the creation of the one and only C. M. Koseman, author of All Tomorrows and expert in all things alien.
How might humanity survive on an alien planet? Part II of a series on 'Snaiad' — a speculative biology project from “All Tomorrows” author C. M. Kosemen. This video is the second part of a two-part series exploring the incredible speculative biology project of Snaiad: a planet teeming with incredible alien life. Snaiad was created by C.M. Kosemen — an expectational artist and the creator of 'All Tomorrows.' As usual, I have links below where you can follow and support his work. When we left off, we’d visited many of the basic lifeforms on Snaiad. Now, it’s time to study aliens of greater sizes and stranger biology — in a journey that will reveal secrets from Snaiad’s mysterious past, and perhaps its unexpected future with humans… and even some never-before-seen images from Kosemen’s upcoming book!
A nature documentary-style deep dive into the oceans of Subnautica. Explore the seas of planet 4546B, and discover the biology of these alien lifeforms. The vast oceans of the popular video game Subnautica teem with alien creatures--some friendly — and some deadly. While the game focuses on survival, the lifeforms of Subnautica are amazing even when they’re trying to eat you: possessing fascinating biology, bizarre behavioral patterns, and hidden mysteries. For this entry into the archive, we’ll embark on a nature documentary-style expedition, touring Subnautica from the shallows to the abyssal trenches; swimming in the shadows of giants, and evading reaper leviathans. This series will reveal the biology behind these puzzling lifeforms, and investigate how they differ from life in our own oceans.
Discover the largest Megastructures of the future, from Ringworlds to Alderson Disks. A detailed exploration of Neil Blevins’s incredible ‘Megastructure’ project. Depictions of the future often imagine vast technological structures that shatter the mind with their sheer scale. In science fiction, these hypothetical objects are called ‘megastructures’ — and although it would take countless technological leaps to construct one, cosmic-scale Megastructures may one day become scientific fact. But what kinds of structures are future humans likely to create? What would it be like to live on one? And what’s the science behind these speculative wonders? One of my favorite sci fi illustrators, Neil Blevins, has been hard at work answering these very questions: creating a visual encyclopedia of Megastructures that both explains the science behind the objects, and includes paintings and diagrams to bring them to life: from Ringworlds to Alderson Disks.
More extreme and dangerous life lurks deeper in the oceans of Subnautica. Part two of a nature documentary studying planet 4546B. This video is the finale of my two-part series on the biology of the video game Subnautica. In these alien seas, breathtaking landscapes, enormous predators, and unexpected mysteries are all still waiting to be discovered. And just like how life in earth’s oceans gets stranger the deeper you dive, the depths of Planet 4546B are far more extreme than what’s on the surface.
The wildest cryptid hoaxes of all time — from historical examples to the internet age. Some of these fake monsters shocked the public, while others never fooled anyone... While working as the Archivist of my collection of curiosities, I’ve researched a lot of cryptids. Famous monsters like Bigfoot and the Yeti, but also lesser-known creatures like the Sheepsquatch and the Loveland Frogman I have to admit that a lot of the evidence for such creatures — as amazing as they are — can be somewhat questionable. Indeed, there’s a long and hilarious history of people trying and failing to fake the existence of cryptids to the masses. So today, I’ll be unveiling some of the greatest historical cryptid hoaxes.
How might life evolve on planets much different than Earth? A further exploration of 'The Teeming Universe' by Christian Cline. On our previous expedition through this cosmos, we saw all manner of incredible species — and learned about the science behind them. For this entry into the archive, we’ll be journeying on a deep space vessel called ‘The Peregrine’ to even more extreme environments. We’ll start with planets where the organisms are truly strange, and as we continue, we’ll reach places where we might need a whole new definition of life…
A breakdown of the major revelations in Paleontology from the first half of January 2021. An extra video for this week. Thanks to E.D.G.E. for running Paleo Rewind! Did you know that just this year, paleontologists have discovered new insights into the behavior and appearance of Spinosaurus, the biomechanics of Megaladon shark teeth, and the strangest early lifeforms of the Cambrian Explosion? New revelations are occurring all the time regarding Earth’s distant past, yet these incredible findings often go unnoticed by the general public. So, this year, I’m taking part in PaleoRewind, a breakdown of some of the most important revelations in the field of Paleontology from the past year. All sorts of other creators you might already be subscribed to are also participating. In this video, I’ll kick the rewind off by covering findings from the first half of January.
How do lifeforms like the Sandworms actually function? Discover the biology of 'Dune' on this expedition across planet Arrakis… Imagine a world composed solely of a single, endless desert. What extreme forms of life might we find here? Would this be a world of microscopic organisms… or of unfathomable giants? Arrakis, also called ‘Dune’ is the titular planet at the center of the world-famous science fiction book and recent film of the same name. And although the planet is a desert of intense heat and extreme scarcity, it is also abundant with unexpected life. So, join me in this tour of the ecosystems of Arrakis, which will dive deep into the extended material from the books and other sources. We’ll uncover how such fantastical forms of life might function, and find biological analogues in the most unexpected places on our own planet.
Welcome to Darwin IV, an alien world unlike any other. An analysis of the speculative biology of Wayne Barlowe’s incredible book ‘Expedition.’ Perhaps no single artist has had a greater impact on how we imagine alien life than Wayne Barlowe. Widely considered the father of modern Speculative Biology, Barlowe has worked for decades as a creature designer for everything from Avatar to Pacific Rim. Yet perhaps Barlow’s most monumental alien world comes from his book ‘Expedition’ — which depicts an extraterrestrial ecosystem with so much detail that reading it feels like getting lost on another planet. The book was even made into a TV special for the Discovery Channel called ‘Alien Planet,’ which was honestly one of my favorite things to watch as a kid. The world at the center of the book and documentary — called ‘Darwin IV’ — is one I’ve wanted to document myself for a long time.
More incredible life is waiting on Darwin IV. The final chapter in my analysis of Wayne Barlowe’s incredible speculative biology book ‘Expedition.’ Welcome back to Curious Archive. This video is the finale of my two-part series on the biology of Darwin IV — an alien planet explored in the book ‘Expedition’ by Wayne Barlowe, which I have a link to in the description. On this perilous world, deadly predators, strange herbivores, and uncategorizable oddities are still waiting to be discovered.
Imagine a future where humanity is the most dangerous species in the universe. An exploration of Callum Stephen Diggle’s incredible speculative biology project ‘Humanity Lost.’ ‘Humanity Lost,’ a worldbuilding project and graphic novel series by artist Callum Diggle, imagines a future where humans have merged with a god-like artificial intelligence, and are now the most dangerous lifeforms in a galaxy full of aliens. It’s an exciting twist on the genre, and a story that features some particularly inventive speculative lifeforms. At the start of the 26th century, humanity has yet to give itself over to the AI. Under the oversight of the United Earth government, humans populate every major celestial body in our solar system. On Earth’s moon, giant lava-tubes are terraformed and become home to great cities larger than any on Earth.
A documentary-style deep dive into the oceans of Subnautica: Below Zero. Explore the ocean of Sector Zero, and discover the biology of incredible alien lifeforms. The frigid ocean of the video game Subnautica: Below Zero teems with incredible life — from gigantic herbivores to vicious carnivores. Like the tropical seas of the game’s predecessor, this environment feels truly unique: an undersea world of bewildering landscapes, detailed ecosystems, and surprising mysteries. Many of the aliens in Below Zero were created by Alex Ries, one of the most talented creature designers out there. And unlike the first game, in Below Zero, dangers lurk both above and below the water… So, for this entry into the archive, we’ll embark on one of our documentary-style expeditions, charting biomes under the waves and upon ice; encountering both friendly — and deadly — forms of arctic life.
More alien life lurks deeper in the oceans of Subnautica: Below Zero… Part Two of a documentary style deep dive into the ocean of Planet 4546B. Welcome back to Curious Archive. This video is the finale of my two-part series on the biology of the video game Subnautica: Below Zero. Deeper within this alien ocean, astonishing ecosystems, shocking mysteries, and chilling terrors still await discovery. And much like how the strangest life in Earth’s oceans dwells in the abyss, the depths of Sector Zero open a whole new world of surprises. I’ve also found it an even more frightening place to do field work. And with a mysterious signal calling out from the deep at the end of the last video, who knows what final secrets Planet 4546B is hiding.
Discover the unique life of the desert planet of Tatooine, from Banthas to Sarlaccs. Star Wars belongs to Disney/Lucasfilm. Imagine a planet of endless sand and scorching sun. A world where every day is a race for survival, and every night a fearsome competition for resources. The infamous desert planet of Tatooine — located in a galaxy far, far away — is known for being an inhospitable wasteland. Yet the creatures that brave this unforgiving environment are among the most fascinating, and possess hidden intricacies that deserve to be studied further. So, for this entry into the archive, I’ll be documenting this arid biosphere firsthand — analyzing the biology of these extreme lifeforms, and seeing how their survival strategies compare to those present in Earth’s deserts.
A breakdown of the biology of ‘The Future is Wild,’ an incredible and nostalgic series that detailed speculative lifeforms which might evolve millions of years in the future. Imagine a world where evolution has written a new chapter in the story of life. That was the tagline of ‘The Future is Wild,’ a miniseries that aired in the early 2000s exploring the speculative lifeforms of the far future. And it was… amazing. The fictional world is fantastically detailed, and an impressive team of real scientists came up with the creatures that inhabit it. And I think these creatures definitely deserve a second look, even if you’ve never heard of them before. For this extra-long entry into the archive, we’ll be exploring this hypothetical future — having fun incorporating contemporary scientific discoveries that might provide new insight into these speculative lifeforms, and just appreciating the richness of the world the series created.
A new chapter in the epic story of Serina, which will change the moon forever. A breakdown of Dylan Bajda’s speculative biology project ‘Serina.’ This video is a new chapter in my long-running series exploring the incredible speculative evolution project of Serina, the world of birds. Serina was created by Dylan Bajda — a terrific artist and worldbuilder — and many exciting developments have occurred since we last explored his creation. You may remember the fascinating premise of the Serina project: an unknown force leaves a colony of finches on the moon of Serina, along with a few other plant and animal species to serve as their food supply. The project imagines the amazing lifeforms that evolve from these humble beginnings over millions of years — creatures that I’ve explored in past videos. For this entry into the archive, we’ll chronicle the next era in this evolutionary epic, and witness the rise and fall of countless species as the world of Serina continues to change…
Imagine a planet controlled by frogs. What kinds of species might evolve? This is a breakdown of Roxy Valdez’s incredible speculative biology project ‘Amphiterra.’ Hypothetical question for you: what if frogs ruled the Earth? Not just terms in terms of numbers… but in terms of their position in the ecosystem. Amphiterra is a speculative biology project by the talented artist and writer Roxy Valdez, which imagines the incredible and surreal forms frogs might achieve if given the perfect environment to evolve. While the world of Amphiterra often looks like an alien planet, the artist imagines it’s actually an alternate timeline of Earth, where subtly different climatic conditions led to early amphibians outcompeting the first dinosaurs and protomammals. What creatures will develop and thrive in this drastically different history? Let’s leap back 252 million years, and begin our tour through the timeline of Amphiterra...
Could the game 'Spore' teach us about life on alien worlds? You'll see. Experience an epic journey from a tiny cell to a complex organism... I don’t think there’s ever been a video game quite like Spore. Released in the late 2000s, the game lets you create and then guide a lifeform from a microorganism in a tidepool to an advanced creature in a galaxy-spanning civilization. Being able to, essentially, design and play as your own speculative creature really blew my mind when I was younger. I remember spending hours trying to make my creations as detailed as possible, and coming up with fake scientific attributes about how they functioned in the ecosystems around them. Of course, you could also use Spore to create bizarre creatures, and throw the rulebook of biology out the window. I also know a lot of content was cut during its development. Yet Spore remains an evolution simulator that’s quite nostalgic to many.
Imagine a world of aquatic organisms. What species might emerge? A breakdown of J. J. Aniorte’s excellent speculative biology project ‘Polinices.’ At this very moment, in the depths of Earth’s oceans, alien lifeforms are waiting. Not alien in the sense they come from another planet, but alien in the sense that they’re so different from what we think of as life, they seem not of this Earth. If our oceans harbor organisms that appear extraterrestrial, imagine what we’d find in a literal alien sea? Polinices is a speculative biology project by the brilliant artist and worldbuilder J. J. Aniorte, which explores life on a planet ruled by aquatic organisms. The infinite forms of this tropical paradise are among the most creative I’ve ever featured on this channel — pushing the boundaries of life as we know it. There’s a tremendous amount to discover. So, let’s dive in to these teeming waters, and see what awaits us upon planet Polinices.
Subnautica could have contained even more incredible lifeforms. Discover numerous cut creatures designed by Alex Ries and explore their unique biology. Many of the speculative creatures that swim in the seas of Planet 4546 B started off as the idea of Alex Ries (the creator of the Birrin), going through multiple iterations of concept art to arrive at the awe-inspiring final designs we see in game. Yet there’s a lot of incredible art of unique speculative lifeforms that — for one reason or another — never made it into the final product. Not implementing all designs from early development stages is a normal part of behind-the-scenes, but some of these designs are so well thought-out, they deserve to be studied further. So, for this entry into the archive, we’ll explore the incredible unseen creatures of Subnautica, exploring their potential biology and how they might fit into the existing environments of Planet 4546B.
Discover the secrets of a mysterious alien world. A breakdown of Planet Veteris from Michael Beaudry’s inventive speculative biology project ‘Exobiotica.’ Let’s say you’re visiting Earth for the first time. And the tour of the planet consists of being dropped into random locations for about five seconds before being whisked away to an entirely different spot on the globe. If you knew nothing whatsoever about life on Earth, how might you interpret what you saw? At first, these narrow glimpses of a vast world would be confusing, and probably a little bizarre. But over time, as the brief snapshots formed a greater whole — you might be able to get a sense of broader patterns of life here on Earth. ‘Exobiotica’ is a speculative biology project by incredible artist Michael Beaudry that offers similarly limited windows into the sprawling alien biosphere of a planet called Veteris. And the lifeforms we can document are uniquely alien — even by the standards of speculative biology.
I have no mouth… and I must scream. An exploration of Evolutionary Horror — from the Qu, to the Xenomorphs, to The Last of Us. Welcome to the scariest hidden genre in Sci-Fi. --- If I were to ask you ‘what is the scariest type of science fiction?’ you probably wouldn’t say ‘Evolutionary Horror.’ …Mainly because it’s a name I came up with for this video, but also because it doesn’t sound particularly frightening. Evolution isn’t scary… or is it? Twisting through the history of sci-fi is a hidden subgenre that derives terror from the altered self — from the uncanny dread of a force beyond our control evolving the human into the inhuman. So, for this entry into the archive, we’ll uncover the terrors of this category, and dive into the type of sci-fi that I find the most fear-provoking of all…