Whalesong Quotes

“We sent whalesong into interstellar space because the creatures that sing these songs are superlative beings that fill us with awe, terror, and affection. We have hunted them for thousands of years and scratched them into our mythologies and iconography. Their bones frame the archways of medieval castles. They’re so compelling that we imagine aliens might find them interesting — or perhaps understand their otherworldly, ethereal song.”
― Nick Pyenson, Spying on Whales: The Past, Present, and Future of Earth's Most Awesome Creatures

“The patterns the whales used for communication, the three-dimensional shapes, as transparent to sound as solid objects, could express any concept. Any concept except, perhaps, vacuum, infinity, nothingness so complete it would never become anything. The nearest way she could try to describe it was with silence.”
― Vonda N. McIntyre, Superluminal

“Sometimes the shoreline was impassable, enclosed by high cliffs and huge boulders. But then, further along, Jesus would see the welcome sight of a pathway leading down to the sea once more. Then one day, he came upon the astounding vista of high white cliffs that must have gifted the land its name. This isle of Albion never ceased to amaze him. At night, Jesus would lay awake watching the stars before the gentle lull of the lapping waves sent him to sleep. But naturally, he was not so foolish as to camp where he could be washed out to sea by the tides and always made sure there was a safe way to scale the cliffs if the need arose. Once, he had been startled into wakefulness by an unfamiliar sound but soon realised it was the eerie calling of passing whales communicating with each other as they sang of their joy for life. And as their song resonated deep within his soul, Jesus felt the greatness and generosity of their spirit. Their relevance and connection to the mysteries of the universe.”
― Natasha Rendell, Imagining Jesus

“Her thoughts were broken by a resonant call of whale song, echoing and half made of phantom beauty. The night atmosphere enlivened and grew in complexity as the song invoked the dance of the Earth Spirit across the water and the land.”
― Tamara Rendell, Lahana