John Lilly views whales as possessing a culture sustained through oral traditions and stories, where each whale's experiences are crucial for the community’s survival. These individual narratives help maintain the social fabric and collective memory of the pod, highlighting the importance of shared knowledge and history among whales.
Author Terry Tempest Williams draws a parallel between human family stories and whale experiences, emphasizing that when an individual, human or whale, dies, part of their world and history is lost forever. This highlights the profound loss that occurs with the passing of each creature, underscoring the significance of preserving stories and memories for future generations.