The term human–animal hybrid or animal–human hybrid refers to an entity that incorporates elements from both humans and non-human animals. For thousands of years, these hybrids have been one of the most common themes in story-telling about animals throughout the world. The lack of a strong divide between humanity and animal nature in multiple traditional and ancient cultures has provided the underlying historical context for the popularity of tales where humans and animals have mingling relationships, such as in which one turns into the other or in which some mixed being goes through a journey....
So I'm curious...as a writer and a thinker and a dreamer of worlds yet to exist...if you could create ANY living hybrid, whether human-animal or animal-animal...what would it be and why?
I have dreamed up many an interesting hybrid in my writing world. In my imagination, my hybrids would be both useful and have great novelty. They'd be cute and cuddly when I wanted a furry friend to snuggle with...and they'd be fierce, obedient and loyal when I needed protection and reassurance. Of course, companionship and even true affection come into question...what will our future hold? Will designer friends, made-to-order, custom-children or even fantasy lovers be ours with a simple "one-click payment" option?
Who or what would you create? And although I'd like you to think beyond the possible consequences...what, if any, would those consequences be?
