There is far less of a distinction between art and science for the zetii, one merges seamlessly with the other. Depending on their inclinations or talents, individual zetii may tend to specialise on one extreme or the other of the spectrum. Those who study a subject in great detail and obtain information of sufficient quality to warrant recording, are known as Seekers, and may be loosely compared to human scientists. Seekers are associated with subject areas that their human counterparts would recognise, such as oceanology, biology or astrology, but may also be studying a pure art form in detail.
Zetii science is limited by their lack of instruments, but is characterised by great attention to detail and by the collection of a vast quantity of empirical data. Starwriters allowed them to meticulously record their observations for far longer than humans have been accurately keeping records. As a result, they can compare changes presently occurring in Ocean’s biosphere with those over many millennia. Based on the known historical consequences of factors such as changes in climate, they can then estimate what may result from comparable changes occurring now.
Zetii art forms are generally transient in nature and must be appreciated in the moment. For example, bubble art, aerial acrobatic displays, light patterns and echo caverns all provide pleasure to the observer or listener during the time they are witnessed, but the art form cannot be exactly duplicated or preserved. However, some of the traditional songs, chants, stories and plays can be largely replicated over time. Naturally, as a non-materialistic society, the zetii do not leave the art forms that they create behind them. This is probably the main meaning behind the traditional saying: “All art expires with the final breath of the last zeta”.