TheQuietAct at 2013-04-29 12:10:47:

BTW I really like your own version, of rebelling Neanderthal guinea pigs.

Debbie Moon at 2013-04-29 12:42:07:

I like the idea that Neanderthals were not dumber than us. just different. So what if, rather than relying on their big brains to survive, Neanderthals had other abilities - abilities we have no idea about because no evidence of them survives in the fossil record. I give you - psychic Neanderthals! Gentle and loyal, but when they're threatened, out comes the telekinesis and the pyschic-brain-exploding...

Scott at 2013-04-29 15:52:13:

Psychic Neanderthals! Not only a nifty idea, but also a great name for an alternative rock band! Seriously your point is well-taken. Might Neanderthals have capabilities that transcend those of our own? It could be due to their exposure to contemporary influences in combination with their DNA those capabilities emerge. Feels like one of those "don't screw with Mother Nature" stories, doesn't it?

Mark Walker at 2013-04-29 16:24:19:

Reminds me of a book, Spares, that I read many years ago and can't remember the full details, just that it involved growing clones of people to ensure a supply of spare parts for medical reasons. I think it involved them becoming aware of this and seeking rights....sort of like the desires of the rogue Replicants in Blade Runner. Uprising against their "human" masters...could be Blade Runnder's themes, crossed with Planet of the Apes....returning earth to its former rulers. And throw in a bit of Scanners from Debbie... ;-)

Debbie Moon at 2013-04-29 17:16:15:

Spares is by one of my fave authors, Michael Marshall Smith (who, alas, seems to have given up writing SF for horror-thrillers...)

Despina at 2013-04-29 23:30:47:

Planet of the Neanderthals meets Encino Man meets Children of Men meets Clan of the Cave Bear... meets Ice Age. Oh wait, that's Croods. Or something...

Despina at 2013-04-29 23:33:19:

What's that movie that has hundreds of test tube people hanging out and forgotten...? Which makes me think of something similar to Avatar, but not Avatar... they're on the run or they're looking for someone and they come upon this massive warehouse of people in amniotic crypts or something. Obviously very futuristic. DANGIT. I can't think of the movie. I don't think it's all that old either...