The single most interesting aspect about the world that Lilith was thrown into would probably be the perception of organisms. There are various mentions throughout the assigned readings of how the Ooloi examine the human race into different sections rather than as a whole. The classification can be referenced from the cancer from page. 22 “it wanted to examine the cancer directly” which may seem like a plague to humans, but to Ooloi, it’s seen as a useful experience and knowledge that could be use to benefit. This strays from human’s perception because most humans will see anything abnormal to be placed directly into the dangerous/harmful category until there’s a small glimmer of benefit to be brought back to the examination table. However the Ooloi rather than considering things like cancer to be harmful, they gather data and material from it to somehow assimilate its traits. This may have been among Lilith’s first shocks in realizing how differently the Ooloi treat everything. In a way the Ooloi show respect to almost everything that is alive.
Also another alien concept about the perception would be what the Ooloi provided for the remaining humans. They are referred to as “genetic traders as they learn what they can from other races and provide “our genetic materials for yours”. (pg. 40) The current society that Lilith might remember would be that anything to do with advanced scientific experiments and genetics would obviously cost a lot of money or come with a heavy price which was why Lilith responded “tell me the price, Jdahya” (pg. 40) Another point that might have seemed alien to Lilith would have been the perception of organisms like the Ooloi not having any hierarchy, but remain in order. Since Lilith has only been able to compare mostly humans and the hierarchy system, she may have assumed that without any hierarchy, from past history of human errors, there has been chaos unless some form of hierarchy was established. This may have also seemed interesting to Jdahya when he mentioned “ you are hierarchical”, but was also noted as a dangerous characteristic. There are a few other minor details such as respect to living beings, especially after her memories remained of the war, but these collectively built up the whole perception of organisms was completely different from that of human standards and thrust Lilith into that aspect which seems too alien to a human as herself.
