How far apart are humans from animalseven the vampire squid from hell Playing the scientistphilosopherprovocateur Vilm Flusser uses this question as a springboard to dive into a literal and a philosophical ocean. The abyss that separates us from the vampire squid or vampire octopus perhaps since Vampyroteuthis infernalis inhabits its own phylogenetic order somewhere between the two is incomparably smaller than that which separates us from extraterrestrial life as imagined in science fiction and sought by astrobiologists Flusser notes at the outset of the expedition. Part scientific treatise part spoof part philosophical discourse part fable Vampyroteuthis Infernalis gives its author ample room to ruminate on humanand nonhumanlife.