Atelists

Atelists are a fictional species featured in the science fiction novel "The Stars My Destination" by Alfred Bester. They are depicted as a highly advanced, technologically sophisticated alien race encountered by the protagonist, Gully Foyle. The Atelists are characterized by their immense power and their seemingly detached, almost clinical approach to other species. Their technology is far beyond human comprehension, allowing them abilities such as instantaneous interstellar travel, which humans are desperately trying to replicate.

In the narrative, the Atelists are not portrayed as inherently malevolent but rather as beings who operate on a different plane of existence and understanding. Their interactions with humanity are minimal and often cryptic, leaving humans to speculate about their motives and origins. The Atelists represent a benchmark of advancement and a source of both wonder and fear for the human race, embodying the vast unknown that lies beyond their current technological capabilities. Their presence serves to highlight the limitations of human understanding and the potential for alien intelligence to be vastly different from our own.