The Observer Reports

Entry: Observed Habitual Activity #1

Most, if not the entirety of this species, engage in the digital preservation of static images. These images are taken either of themselves, of others, or of viewed objects and  landscapes. The digital preservation of images (linguistic term: “picture”) is generally taken with either an object entirely dedicated to the digital recording of images (linguistic term: “camera”), or with a small hand-held object used for a variety of activities (linguistic term: “cell phone” – will be detailed in a later report).

While some of these digital images are taken candidly, a great majority of them are posed for. Before the image is taken, the species will tilt their head, smooth their hair, and widen their mouths out so that their teeth are showing. Some will also extend their limbs, jump up and down, or push one hip out to the side.

After the pose is captured as a digital image, most of this species immediately look at the image, or ask to see it in an apparent attempt to review indeterminable characteristics. After review, the image will either be deemed acceptable (whereby it is saved), unacceptable (whereby it is deleted), or passable (whereby it is saved but the pose or scene is recreated and multiple additional pictures of the same image are taken).

Once an image has been deemed acceptable, many of this species will share it with others in a variety of ways: physically, digitally, and via wireless networks.

The sharing of digital images is carried out from an early age: young ones (linguistic term: “children”) often take pictures and immediately show their parental figure in an apparent attempt to incite attention, feedback, or approval.

Fully matured individuals (linguistic term: “adults”) also engage in image sharing by immediately showing friends or family the pictures they have just taken. In addition, adults will send images to others electronically, or post images to extensive wireless networks that allow millions of others access to the same pictures. The purpose of adults engaging in image sharing seems to be to elicit the same reactions from others as from their parental figures when children: attention, feedback, or approval.

Entry: Observed social divisions #1

The social divisions in this sector of the planet are determined in part by small rectangular pieces of green paper and tiny circular bits of metal. It appears these green papers and metal bits function as a type of currency. They are both highly sought after, and often times are reduced to the form of an electronic transfer of digital numbers. Individuals with higher amounts of green papers, metal bits, and digital numbers generally live in bigger houses and own more material objects.

In addition, the more digital numbers owned by this species, the higher they are regarded and revered by the rest of society. Those with the most pieces of green paper and digital numbers appear to earn these numbers by engaging in different forms of entertainment for the rest of the species, who then transfer them digital numbers in exchange for the entertainment provided. There are a few specific types of entertainment that result in a high amount of digital number transfers.

In particular, this species reveres those who can produce pleasant sounds from their mouths (linguistic term “singers”). Thousands of this species appear to worship these singers by attending their performances where they are placed on altars above the rest of the people. The species will go stand, sway, and mimic these singers for hours and in exchange will transfer them large amounts of digital numbers.

Another type of entertainer that this species will readily give their digital numbers to are those that are particularly adept at pretending to be other people (linguistic term: “acting”). This species will digitally record actors pretending to be other people, and then they will watch replays of this recording in large theaters and at home on their smaller screen devices.

Lastly, those who are fast with the movement of their body in any form of limb pumping, or are highly coordinated with spherical objects and all forms of physical activity (linguistic term: “athlete”) are also highly revered. The interest in physical activity and athletic culture on this planet has been detailed in previous reports, but it is important to note here that the fastest, strongest, and most coordinated of this species are given extremely large amounts of digital numbers to let people watch them be fast, strong, and coordinated at different activities. These athletes are also watched by thousands of people who worship them for hours on end by yelling, cheering, and repeatedly slamming their hands together.

Note: In accordance with code OBEWH2016 the final report will be submitted on January 1, 2018 to the higher council of extra-planetary research. Objective observations are sent every 7 full rotations of the planet in respect to its star and followed by a short summary of findings as directed in the standardized outline for observational reports presented in Handbook 32.7767.96.7970.