“People” need not mean “humans”, it can mean “people”.
Also, people should really stop using the word “sentient”. It’s a useless word that seems to serve no purpose beyond causing people to get intelligence and consciousness confused. (OK, Pearce does seem pretty clear on what he means here; he doesn’t seem to have been confused by it himself. Nonetheless, it’s still aiding in the confusion of others.)
“People” need not mean “humans”, it can mean “people”.
Also, people should really stop using the word “sentient”. It’s a useless word that seems to serve no purpose beyond causing people to get intelligence and consciousness confused. (OK, Pearce does seem pretty clear on what he means here; he doesn’t seem to have been confused by it himself. Nonetheless, it’s still aiding in the confusion of others.)