One aspect of contemporary science fiction that I am greatly concerned about, indeed worried, is the tendency of television sci-fi and film to trivialize the life experience of Neanderthals and other proto-human peoples. This can occur in something as innocous as the Flintstones, or as deeply troubling as Geico commercials. The slogan "So Easy a Cave Man Can Do It" I find personally morally revolting. That slogan is nothing more than human biological chauvinism against a lifeform potentially as advanced and sentient as we are. The sci-fi channel has frequently used the Neanderthal-run-amok plot idea and it also featured in Star Trek:TOS ("Galileo Seven", the TNG episode about a deevolved Worf) and the old BSG. I believe it is imperative for television programs to be respectful in their treatment of Neanderthal life, and I believe this for entirely rational reasons.The human species may be on the cusp of major technological breakthroughs that will allow us to meld species. Already this has been done at the embryonic level, with human-animal hybrids (usually destroyed after a short time in the womb). The definition of what constitutes humanity is therefore much more problematic today than it was, say, 20 years ago. For that reason, sci-fi fans must demand that science fiction series treat potentially sentient lifeforms with respect. The evidence for Neanderthal sentience is overwhelming. To make fun of "Cave Men" as stupid is, in my opinion, the equivalent of using the N word, and indeed is a conscious play to human racist sentiments. I, for one, will continue to be incensed at how television disrespects our closest sentient relatives, and I hope you will be too.
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