Every life form is connected in a way that we can learn from one another. There is something to offer from each living thing and if we cannot see it immediately, dig deeper. Empathy for others is key.

Alien- Derives from the Latin word Allienus, meaning "belonging to another." Allienus deriving from Alius, meaning "other."

https://languages.oup.com/google-dictionary-en/

Interesting to consider that we are all connected in this way while also mentioning that we know very little about deep sea. It is a nice comparison and drawback of the two ideas. While offering the reader a separate and important lesson of relation and environment, the author also hints that even if we don't know much about these "strange creatures," it doesn't mean they aren't important.

I find it engaging that Imbler uses comparisons to an "alien world," and then emphasizes this by insisting that we actually know more about space than we do the deep sea, even though the deep sea is a part of our world.

This reminds me of ideas from Maiello's article "Post-Media Virality." Such as humans being a medium for the Coronavirus. The virus does not need humans specifically to exist. But, without humans there would not be a nearly as large spread, and the virus itself would not be documented.

The quote "infinitely distant and yet touch the soul" draws in similar ideas seen in Imbler's article "Are We Really So Different?" Both this quote and Imbler talking of Dr. Morton's perception of deep sea creatures touch on the idea of distance. Although we are far apart from both space and deep sea, we are connected to them because we as beings are connected. Although we are physically far from the stars we feel connected through emotion and art. Although we are far from the deep sea, we are connected beings through empathy and emotional connection. Both articles bring the idea of distance, and turn it into something new.

We as humans are the reason that the virus is able to spread and impact as hard as it does. But, without us there is no "us" to impact. We are encouraging a virus through our daily lives that also potentially has the power to stop our daily lives.

A period of time in which human activities have impacted the environment enough to distinct geological change. https://education.nationalgeographic.org/resource/anthropocene

Global Positioning System (GPS)- Satellite first launched by the US Space Force in 1978. Functions in radionavigation and covers the entire globe. https://www.gps.gov/systems/gps/

Applying the idea of viral media to the Coronavirus is an engaging way to show the growth that human activity encourages. Both are fueled by human activity and participation, and both can cause more harm than good.