Humans Supplanted

Guy de Maupassant’s story “The Horla” explores themes of human extinction and the possible rise of a superior species. Many readers interpret this famous story as a reflection of Maupassant’s own descent into syphilis-fuelled madness. We instead take the story at face value, and discuss the narrator’s two scenarios for humanity’s demise. First, evolution might lead to a new species that supplants humans. A more plausible version of this idea, given our current knowledge, involves human technology: advances in artificial intelligence, genetic engineering, and nanotechnology might combine to lead to a posthuman future. Second, if the SETI or METI programmes are successful, some form of extraterrestrial life might supplant humanity here on Earth.