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Postcolonial Speculative Fiction

Symbiosis and Hybridity

In Nnedi Okorafor’s novel, “Lagoon,” an alien invasion takes place in Lagos. Following the invasion, the aliens work together with three humans in an attempt to come to an agreement that will allow them to coexist. The third act of the novel is fittingly titled “Symbiosis,” which is the act of two beings living together and establishing a relationship that is beneficial to both parties, or in other words, when it’s a “win-win situation.” This title makes sense because the aliens are trying to establish a symbiotic relationship with the humans. However, a symbiotic relationship is not all that is necessary in order for the humans and the aliens to live together. An eventual hybridity will also be necessary, as the two groups likely cannot coexist without merging as least some aspects of their cultures together. Hybridity is the concept of two things combining together, such as two races or two species. It is not quite the same thing as symbiosis, although they certainly can go hand-in-hand. Following the establishment of a symbiotic relationship between the aliens and the humans, it would be very difficult for the two cultures to live in such close proximity and prevent as least some combining of cultural aspects and traditions. This hybridity could be considered beneficial because it demonstrates that the two different cultures are truly working together and coexisting.

Could Hybridity or Symbiosis Be a Bad Thing?

Hybridity could potentially be a bad thing if the hybridity is not received well in one of the communities. If backlash to a hybrid culture occurred, it could be detrimental to the agreed upon relationship between the two parties. In Nnedi Okorafor's novela, Binti, a hybrid culture arises when Binti reaches an agreement with the "Meduse" characters. Binit then becomes a hybrid of her own culture and the Meduse culture, similar to the way the humans and aliens form a hybrid culture in Lagoon. However, the relationship could be considered forced in Binti's situation since she really didn't have a choice. This type of hybridity could be damaging since it oversteps the original culture. On the other hand, symbiosis is not likely to be a bad thing since it if defined as a relationship that is beneficial to both parties involved in the agreement. The hybridity that exists in both Lagoon and Binti exist as the result of symbiotic agreements. The parties of each story found agreements that benefited those involved. However, symbiosis does hold the potential to be damaging to third parties that are not part of the relationship.

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I did not consider the aliens in Lagoon needing a symbiotic relationship with humans to carry out their objectives. They could have overtly colonized the humans. They offered a symbiotic relationship with humans so the humans could find the benefits of a mutual relationship. This recalls an example we find in nature. The coyote and badger will hunt prairie dogs together. The badger can dig out but cannot out run the prairie dog. The coyote can out run the escaping prairie dog. They never share their catch, but the combination hunting increases their likelihood for food. I had envisioned the hybridity element taking place on the genetic level. When the alien dispersed the microelements, it embedded genetically with the humans. Viruses do this all the time. They like to steel parts of their host genetic information to benefit their survival. Check out how a virus stole black widow spider’s genetic code to make venom at https://lab.vanderbilt.edu/bordenstein/. What about synergism?
Contents of this reply:
1. Symbiosis and Hybridity In Nnedi Okorafor’s novel, “Lagoon,” an alien invasion takes place in Lagos. Following the invasion, the aliens work together with three humans in an attempt to come to an agreement that will allow them to coexist. The third act of the novel is fittingly titled “Symbiosis,” which is the act of two beings living together and establishing a relationship that is beneficial to both parties, or in other words, when it’s a “win-win situation.” This title makes sense because the aliens are trying to establish a symbiotic relationship with the humans. However, a symbiotic relationship is not all that is necessary in order for the humans and the aliens to live together. An eventual hybridity will also be necessary, as the two groups likely cannot coexist without merging as least some aspects of their cultures together. Hybridity is the concept of two things combining together, such as two races or two species. It is not quite the same thing as symbiosis, although they certainly can go hand-in-hand. Following the establishment of a symbiotic relationship between the aliens and the humans, it would be very difficult for the two cultures to live in such close proximity and prevent as least some combining of cultural aspects and traditions. This hybridity could be considered beneficial because it demonstrates that the two different cultures are truly working together and coexisting.
  Could Hybridity or Symbiosis Be a Bad Thing?
  Hybridity could potentially be a bad thing if the hybridity is not received well in one of the communities. If backlash to a hybrid culture occurred, it could be detrimental to the agreed upon relationship between the two parties. In Nnedi Okorafor's novela, Binti, a hybrid culture arises when Binti reaches an agreement with the "Meduse" characters. Binit then becomes a hybrid of her own culture and the Meduse culture, similar to the way the humans and aliens form a hybrid culture in Lagoon. However, the relationship could be considered forced in Binti's situation since she really didn't have a choice. This type of hybridity could be damaging since it oversteps the original culture. On the other hand, symbiosis is not likely to be a bad thing since it if defined as a relationship that is beneficial to both parties involved in the agreement. The hybridity that exists in both Lagoon and Binti exist as the result of symbiotic agreements. The parties of each story found agreements that benefited those involved. However, symbiosis does hold the potential to be damaging to third parties that are not part of the relationship.
Really admire the approach and consideration of Okorafor.
Contents of this reply:
1. Symbiosis and Hybridity In Nnedi Okorafor’s novel, “Lagoon,” an alien invasion takes place in Lagos. Following the invasion, the aliens work together with three humans in an attempt to come to an agreement that will allow them to coexist. The third act of the novel is fittingly titled “Symbiosis,” which is the act of two beings living together and establishing a relationship that is beneficial to both parties, or in other words, when it’s a “win-win situation.” This title makes sense because the aliens are trying to establish a symbiotic relationship with the humans. However, a symbiotic relationship is not all that is necessary in order for the humans and the aliens to live together. An eventual hybridity will also be necessary, as the two groups likely cannot coexist without merging as least some aspects of their cultures together. Hybridity is the concept of two things combining together, such as two races or two species. It is not quite the same thing as symbiosis, although they certainly can go hand-in-hand. Following the establishment of a symbiotic relationship between the aliens and the humans, it would be very difficult for the two cultures to live in such close proximity and prevent as least some combining of cultural aspects and traditions. This hybridity could be considered beneficial because it demonstrates that the two different cultures are truly working together and coexisting.
  Could Hybridity or Symbiosis Be a Bad Thing?
  Hybridity could potentially be a bad thing if the hybridity is not received well in one of the communities. If backlash to a hybrid culture occurred, it could be detrimental to the agreed upon relationship between the two parties. In Nnedi Okorafor's novela, Binti, a hybrid culture arises when Binti reaches an agreement with the "Meduse" characters. Binit then becomes a hybrid of her own culture and the Meduse culture, similar to the way the humans and aliens form a hybrid culture in Lagoon. However, the relationship could be considered forced in Binti's situation since she really didn't have a choice. This type of hybridity could be damaging since it oversteps the original culture. On the other hand, symbiosis is not likely to be a bad thing since it if defined as a relationship that is beneficial to both parties involved in the agreement. The hybridity that exists in both Lagoon and Binti exist as the result of symbiotic agreements. The parties of each story found agreements that benefited those involved. However, symbiosis does hold the potential to be damaging to third parties that are not part of the relationship.

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