What I want to know is why there is a perfect biological and physical representation of a giant women several millions light years from Earth on an alien planet?

It dosen’t make sense!

Is it a joke on us, neosurrealism or just a rip off of the Godhead books?

They seem to play just fine in Rythmbox, but like other people here, I like to timeshift my Escape Pod and listen while I walk the dog or wait for the bus, so it would be nice if it played on my portable player consistently. I’ve no idea what’s different between these episodes that don’t play and the ones (after this point) that don’t have any problems, but I thought I’d mention it.

This is probably the very first pro-environmentalism story to ever have a real impact on me. Thank you.

–

On the previous topic of commercials on the show–
I’m ok with it. I agree with some other listeners that having you read the ad copy makes it sound a little bit too much like a personal endorsement. Maybe you could have a neutral third party that’s still affiliated with Escape Pod (not the advertiser) do the reading of the ad. I think that’s how they usually do it on public radio.

I’m in what amounts to time-shift mode this week as well (though I usually listen to Escape Pod on the way to/from work in downtown Atlanta), and Lar hit the nail on the head — the Mother Earth implication was one of the impressions the story gave out of the box (along with a number of others, but I digress).

The necessity to hit us over the head with the Mother Earth concept at the end of the story was completely unnecessary and pretty much overkill.

Up to that point, the story created a fantastic metaphor, and provoked some serious thought about the exploration of a woman — not objectifying her, but exploring the mysteries of a woman and what’s “inside”.

On another note, I hope you enjoyed Dragon*Con — time, money and “the real world” kept me from the con this year (as it has the past several), but who knows what next year brings…

I have to agree with Lar about the “mother Earth” bit. We got it without saying it outright. It wasn’t terrible, but I don’t think it was necessary.

I do have to point out that there are religions (specifically the Buddhists) that wouldn’t have a problem with her nudity. They were specifically named, and it’s an unfortunate grouping with the religions that would have issue with that.

It did have some incredible imagery though. I also loved the scene with the united religious front. What could unite all the religions of the universe? Only nudity. I’m reminded of an old saying: “Close any door and before you know it a line will form in front of it.” Might all the interest people seem to have in other’s naughty bits be a result of the fact that people are always hiding them?

Thanks as always for the story.

Well, I posted it late, and therefore a lot of people who would ordinarily have listened by now may be off by a day. Or the weekend. >8->

Thanks for the comments! I’m glad you enjoyed the story.

I found myself taking the “Environmentalists’” side as I listened, if that’s the proper term. There should be some rule about finding gargantuan floating bodies in outer space along the lines of “If someone asks you if you’re a God..” Are you absolutely sure she’s dead and not in stasis!? Are you absolutely sure you’re not pissing off some greater being/power by digging into her!? For the love of God, the simple fact that she exists out there should be a huge warning sign! You don’t colonize her, you don’t mine her tissues, you certainly don’t build Toe Lounges and skyscrapers! If you want to make money, close the system off, charge ships exorbitant amounts of money to come in and stare at the 9th wonder of the universe, charge even more money to go hiking on the surface, But for the love of whatever put her there in the first place, Preserve Her As Is! What if her husband comes back? What happens then huh!?

*Takes a deep breath* In short, thank you for a very imagination stirring and thought provoking story.

However, if there is a Union Dues story posted, I listen to that one about 7 times the morning it’s posted before I listen to anything else.

Steve -
I like hearing in the intros about feed back you’re getting, and how that affects (or doesn’t) Escape Pod.

HOWEVER… I rarely listen to podcasts right away. I tend to “batch” them. I’ll listen to 3 or 4 escape pod’s at once, then do a PodioBook for a while, then some Comedy4cast, etc.

The only down side is that if I have feedback on a particular show, I’m way behind the times. Not a big deal.

It did make me curious – do many others out there Time-Shift their EscapePod listening, or are most people listing while the bits are still warm & fresh?

Might make for a good site poll.