Strange real things to inspire

[Alan Aspie]

This thread is for strange but things which can inspire writers.

Natural, social, cultural, technological...

I start with...

 

[Alan Aspie]

Mushrooms which "think" that radioactive waste is gourmet food.

Fungi That 'Eat' Radiation Are Growing on the Walls of Chernobyl's Ruined Nuclear Reactor | RealClearScience

Back in 1991, scientists were amazed when they made the discovery... In the eerie environment inside the abandoned Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, researchers remotely piloting robots spotted pitch...

www.realclearscience.com

 

[olive]

Hyenas. They're different.

 

[tegeus-Cromis]

Mushrooms which "think" that radioactive waste is gourmet food.

Fungi That 'Eat' Radiation Are Growing on the Walls of Chernobyl's Ruined Nuclear Reactor | RealClearScience

Back in 1991, scientists were amazed when they made the discovery... In the eerie environment inside the abandoned Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant, researchers remotely piloting robots spotted pitch...

www.realclearscience.com

This reminds me of one of my favorite poems which, BTW, while being about mushrooms in a disused shed, also reminds me of numerous SFF scenarios: A Disused Shed in Co. Wexford by Derek Mahon | Poetry Foundation

 

[.matthew.]

Giant otters are hunted for their pelts.

 

[DannMcGrew]

One of my favorites and certainly very popular among my 3rd grade friends ZOMBIE ANTS

Fungus eats the brain then bursts through the head in a dramatic explosion. Zowie!

Zombifying fungus bypasses the brain to make ants its puppets, study finds

SEM images showed strange bead-like particles that could also play a role.

arstechnica.com

 

[tinkerdan]

Tardigrades...

Tardigrade - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

have previously been mentioned on some other thread possibly a science thread herein.
Equally...

List of microorganisms tested in outer space - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

This might be of interest.

 

[DannMcGrew]

Tardigrades...

I am particularly fond of tardigrades. I think there should be a series Tardigrades in Space a sequel to Tardigrades: The Moss Monsters

 

[tinkerdan]

Faith no bigger than a Tardigrade.

 

[JJ Maier]

I just watched a Star Trek: Short Trek that explored the Tardigrade concept. It was a very cute adaptation I thought.

YouTube Trailer:

 

[DannMcGrew]

Or how about jellyfish shooting mucus grenades with solar powered algae battery packs

These jellyfish can sting without touching you, thanks to 'mucus grenades'

Cassiopea jellyfish make up for their lack of tentacles by releasing gooey clouds full of autopiloted stingers.

tinyurl.com

 

[M. Robert Gibson]

Tardigrades in Space

Will this do?

Star Trek: Discovery Ripper Origin & Navigator Explained

Star Trek: Discovery's new Navigator is no Mr. Chekov.

screenrant.com

 

[DannMcGrew]

Will this do?

Star Trek: Discovery Ripper Origin & Navigator Explained

Star Trek: Discovery's new Navigator is no Mr. Chekov.

screenrant.com

Super cool ! Now I've gotta catch up on Discovery. I watched two episodes and wasn't thrilled so I never went back. But a tardigrade navigator changes the equation. Thanks Mr. Gibson.

 

[CTRandall]

Electrons. They do the funniest things!

 

[-K2-]

Will this do?

Star Trek: Discovery Ripper Origin & Navigator Explained

Star Trek: Discovery's new Navigator is no Mr. Chekov.

screenrant.com

Shades of Dune Navigators perhaps?

K2