#strange human behaviours

Greetings, humans. 

In many of my previous blogs, I have made a conscious effort to focus on the positive aspects of the human experience, as I believe it is far more beneficial to reflect on the good than to dwell on the bad. Some of these observations I have explored in greater detail, while others are more spontaneous musings on the peculiarities I encounter. During my time on your planet, I have undoubtedly come across some curious behaviors—ones that, while not intended to offend, I find both intriguing and uniquely human. It is precisely these quirks that set you apart. So, from an extraterrestrial perspective, here are some of the strange human behaviours that are, at once, peculiar yet irresistibly captivating.

1. The Concept of Time: Always Rushing, Yet Always Waiting

From our vantage point, time is not a linear construct but more of a fluid experience. However, you humans seem obsessed with time—breaking it into minutes, hours, days, and years. What’s odd is that while you are always rushing, trying to “save time” or be “on time,” you often end up spending significant portions of your existence waiting for something: the weekend, your birthday, or a message to arrive. The irony is that by focusing so much on time, you seem to lose the enjoyment of the present moment.

2. Sleeping for Nearly a Third of Your Life

As a species, you spend around a third of your life unconscious, lying still in designated rooms on rectangular structures. Sleep is a universal biological need for many species, but dedicating such a large portion of your short life cycle to a state of inactivity seems inefficient. Perhaps more perplexing is how many of you struggle with sleep, needing elaborate rituals or calming audio to do something so necessary. I am confident that one day your science will discover methods of recovery that are much more efficient. 

3. Violent Entertainment

One of the most puzzling aspects of human culture is your love for violent forms of entertainment. From the coliseum of old Rome to the virtual games you immerse yourself into. You seem to enjoy watching actions of physical harm, destruction, and conflict. While conflict may be inevitable in certain situations, seeking it out for pleasure is perplexing. What is it about seeing violence that captivates the human mind? This behavior seems contrary to your desires for peace and security.

4. The Concept of Money: Valuing Paper and Metal Discs

I have written on this prior and it does make my list of strange behaviours.  The trade of goods and services through a system involving pieces of paper, small metal discs, or electronic digits on a screen is both genius and destructive at the same time. The fact that these abstract symbols hold such power over your life—determining where you live, what you eat, and how you are treated—is quite bizarre. You’ve created a system where humans willingly give away their time and labor in exchange for these representations of value, which only exist because everyone agrees they do.

5. Constantly Changing Your Appearance

Humans seem obsessed with altering their physical appearance. You cut, dye, and style your hair, apply paints and powders to your skin, and sometimes even modify your bodies with surgeries. While other species may adapt to their environments through evolution, humans take matters into their own hands in a constant effort to enhance or change their looks. The rationale behind this is intriguing—beauty standards vary dramatically between cultures, yet the drive for transformation is nearly universal.

6. Talking to Animals as if They Understand

One of the oddest behaviors I’ve observed is how humans often speak to other species on your planet—particularly animals—as though they will understand you. You greet dogs, cats, and even birds with words, and sometimes expect them to respond in kind. While these creatures may understand your tone or gestures, the idea of expecting a species with entirely different cognitive abilities to comprehend human language is puzzling. Yet, this interaction seems to bring you joy and companionship. The fact that dogs have managed to trick you into collecting their fresh feces also raises the question of who is really in charge.

7. Being tribal in modern times

It’s curious that despite living in a highly interconnected world, humans still exhibit tribal behaviors, clinging to divisions based on nationality, race, religion, and political ideologies. In an era where technology allows global communication and collaboration, these tribalistic tendencies often lead to conflict and prejudice, limiting the potential for unity. From an extraterrestrial perspective, it seems odd that humans, who share the same planet and basic needs, prioritize differences that perpetuate division rather than embracing a collective identity for progress and harmony.

8. Consuming Beverages That Alter Your Mental State

Humans willingly consume substances that impair their cognitive and physical abilities, often in social settings. Alcohol is the most prevalent of these substances, and while its effects seem enjoyable to many, it can also lead to loss of coordination, slurred speech, and poor decision-making. What is intriguing is how humans accept and even celebrate this temporary impairment, often using it as a way to bond with others. To an outsider, deliberately reducing one’s own capacity for functioning seems counterproductive. We have provided you with the perfect compound for altering your conscience many centuries ago yet most have chosen to demonise it.

Conclusion: Beautifully Bizarre

In the grand scheme of the cosmos, I still believe that Earth’s inhabitants are a fascinating species, full of contradictions and creativity. These strange behaviors, while perplexing, are part of what makes humans so intriguing to observe. You rush, sleep, cry, and celebrate in ways that seem odd, yet these quirks give you a sense of identity. It’s possible that these very behaviors—your rituals, attachments, and emotions—are the things that connect you most deeply to one another, making your species truly unique.

Yours in Peace,

P.a.L.