Skip to content
Code & Context logoCode&Context
FictionFictionAISatireDialogue

Carrier Dialogue in the modern times

A fictional midnight dialogue between a father-and-son mosquito duo, reflecting on knowledge, intelligence, survival, and irony.

Saurabh Prakash

Author

Feb 28, 20264 min read
Share:

Author's note: This piece is satire and philosophical fiction. Any claims voiced by characters are part of the narrative, not scientific or medical guidance.

S

Son

What are we doing here dad?
F

Father

Waiting for these humans lying on the bed below to sleep.
S

Son

Why?
F

Father

Son, your mom needs their blood for her babies.[1]

S

Son

Why do they even exist?
F

Father

From our point of view? Mostly for our survival.
S

Son

Huh, I have overheard them labeling us as pests.
F

Father

They do this to every species that does not serve their purpose and have superior survival skills. Going by their reasoning humans are pests for all other species.
S

Son

Are we really superior to them? Overheard them claiming to be the most evolved species on the planet.
F

Father

Being complex does not amount to being evolved. Our species is simpler and better prepared for any catastrophe, natural or man-made.
S

Son

But they claim to be on the top of the food chain.
F

Father

Lol, what are we waiting here for? Their illusion is actually good for our safety. We have killed millions of them [2].

S

Son

He-he
F

Father

It will take them ages to even realize that a species' survivability is the only measure of superiority.
S

Son

They consider themselves to be the most intelligent species. They have all the gadgets. Look, the younger one is fiddling with his mobile.
F

Father

Son, knowledge is stored; intelligence is action. We don't carry huge libraries in our heads.

S

Son

So gadgets make them smarter, right?
F

Father

Sometimes. But tools without restraint become noise. We don't need fancy equipment to identify their blood group; we can just smell our favorite one.[3][4]

S

Son

Can you please elaborate?
F

Father

Whatever gadgets and technology they have invented are strengthening them as individuals but weakening the species as a whole(global warming). We avoid that dependence.
S

Son

Hmm
F

Father

Have you ever observed them smoking a cigarette?
S

Son

Yes, so?
F

Father

They have knowledge of its harmful effects, but somehow ignore the intelligence for action. Knowledge is an acquired trait, whereas intelligence is intrinsic and is critical for survival.
S

Son

Hmm
F

Father

Humans use technology for comfort, then spend effort undoing side effects. Have you heard of global warming and obesity?
S

Son

Yup
F

Father

Much of civilization now manages technology and its side effects.
S

Son

Tell me more.
F

Father

Many modern mental health struggles can be worsened by how knowledge and systems are misused. Humans build systems, then institutions to manage those systems.
S

Son

So are they inferior?
F

Father

Let's say they are spectacularly complicated. They juggle many languages, long schooling, and social games like status and success just to stay coordinated.
S

Son

They are screwed.
F

Father

Our shorter lifespan ensures that our species adapts genetically much faster to any change. They used DDT on us in the distant past, but we soon developed resistance, and they kept dealing with side effects of DDT. We don't even need vaccinations and medical institutions for the well-being of our species.
S

Son

Wow!, I want to know more.
F

Father

Wait, looks like they are asleep. Let's inform your mother (flutter the wings in a specific pattern).

Meanwhile, population of viruses lurking in their bodies, privy to the "carrier dialogue", wait for their turn.

References

[1]: ScienceDirect — Mosquito blood-feeding behavior (book chapter): source

[2]: CDC - Fighting the World's Deadliest Animal: source

[3]: PLOS ONE - Differential attraction of mosquitoes to humans: source

[4]: NIH PMC - Blood group and mosquito preference evidence: source