Does it automatically follow that "intelligent" aliens would have language in any way that we would recognize as language? As the type of intelligence humans possess is not an evolutionary certainty across nature, is symbolic language a given among self-aware, environment manipulating beings?

Define Human first. Back in 2002 Francis Fukuyama released a book, Our Posthuman Future, that asked is our political system is based on a conception of what human nature is, what happens when we can change human nature?

I grew up watching TOS Star Trek and still have favorite episodes, and also really enjoyed Star Wars when it came out (I was 8). But as I entered my teens, I just didn't find TV & Film SF & F to be "chewy" enough. Even the pulpy Space Operas of EE Doc Smith felt more satisfying than anything on TV.

I'm just old enough, and I admit snobby enough, to not use the phrase "sci-fi". Forrest J Ackerman was a great man and contributed much to SF & F. But "Skiffy" was a mistake. Favorite SF story is Inconstant Moon by Niven. Favorite novels(s) are Xenogenesis by Octavia Butler. Also love Iain M Banks

Right on! One of the things I found most annoying about Charlie Kirk was the idiots who went out to debate him. They assumed he would debate fairly and on the facts. He was just looking for an opportunity to troll people on camera.

I'm very well aware of "TP" USA.

It's called sarcasm.

Kirk was very open that he felt the problem of guns and gun violence was something he was willing to live with because it supposedly "protected other rights" such as Freedom of Speech. I have to admire his willingness to take a bullet for what he believed in.

You ain't just whistling Horst Wessel...

I'm on the Autism Spectrum and avoid large crowds. But I look forward to your stories. Maybe do a recap on On Guard Cigar Salon?

The Johari Window model is great with people you can trust, but my first encounter with it, under another name, was by someone recruiting for his High Control Group (now fortunately defunct). Just like Kink there needs to be trust, negotiation, limits, and consent.