Pseudopod 111: Radiodemonology

[MiraCheskis]

I found the story enjoyable, at least for its premise.  It definitely held my interest, and I'll be looking for souls during my radiology exposure in medical school.

BUT.  I felt I had to object to the host's condemnation of premedical students.  I am a premed.  And I am interested in medicine for humanitarian reasons -- I want to save people's lives and health.  So I was really offended by the comments after the story.

~Mira

[Raving_Lunatic]

Liked this unbelivably...

I thought that Alistair's reading really made the story, if I'm being honest I might not have liked it that much in print. I thought the ending was slightly weaker than it could have been, but other than that, the twist was superb...

[Sgarre1]

Opposite end for me.  Total negative on this.  "Coils of the ...(yawn)" might have been hackneyed, "Spurling Virus" just not my cup of tea, but this was aggressively unlikeable.

Detestable main character that the author presumes we're going to identify with until, dun-dun-dun!, tables turned, he's really an asshole, not just snarky, oh, don't you feel all self questioning now?  Maybe you should be nicer to people!  Which leaves out a whole set of potential readers who don't automatically identify with "House"-level snarkiness.

Didn't like the author's voice (I've read too many jaded, over-verbal "attitude" writers, sorry) -- Connect two wildly varying things with some vicious use of overstatement and a "comedic" delivery and hey, presto, it's like...I don't know, having to watch a fat, no, dare I say (gotta get that archaic, mannered qualifier in for comedic seasoning), morbidly obese women, a veritable bucket of creosote (there, feeling superior?), trundle (ooh, yeah, nice one) her way across a viaduct as she crushes the screaming bodies of cherubim and seraphim 'neath her feet.  And no one stops to offer her a lift.  (memo to self - work a "fuck" or "cunt" into there, if you can).  Don't forget the beautifully observed moment of quiet beauty to prove you're not such an ogre after all.

Maybe it's just because I'm old.  But somebody get back to me and tell me if they're still as impressed with writing like this after they reach 40 (or even 35).

And where were the editors?  The main character hated the co-worker who always ITCHED his Karl Marx beard? Really?  Not ONE editor in the chain said anything?

And sorry, but the usually reliable Alasdair turned in an over-dramatic and far-too-mannered reading.  Wait, let me try that again.  He turned in... an....over-dramatic ...and...far...too..mannered...reading. (Repeat that trick a few more times).

Wow, I haven't actively disliked a Pseudopod story so much since "White Street Society" (and that was more for the potentially good idea handled so ham-fistedly by the writer).  Guess they really can't please everyone!

Thanks for listening.

“The public wants work which flatters its illusions.”
Gustave Flaubert

[Unblinking]

This one was okay.  Mostly I just found it hard to believe that an atheist would jump to the conclusion that this ghostly image was a soul, and the absence of one made you a demon.  As others pointed out, since it seemed to be inversely proportional to charibility, maybe it doesn't mean what he thinks it means. 

The last line was pretty good, but not the best I've heard.

I was really impressed by Alasdair's reading.  He sounds like such a nice guy in his hosting duties that I wouldn't've known he could pull off a Grade A tool like this one.  Good work!

[Fenrix]

I enjoyed this one, even if I could have done without the self-surgery body horror. I will be stealing this character for use in some game or another. Loved the concept.

The comparison to the White Street Society stories is entirely fair, as all of them have repugnant main characters. To really appreciate them you have to be willing to accept there's a certain amount of tongue in that cheek.

BUT.  I felt I had to object to the host's condemnation of premedical students.  I am a premed.  And I am interested in medicine for humanitarian reasons -- I want to save people's lives and health.  So I was really offended by the comments after the story.

Anecdotal statement (with statistical disclaimer) followed a story  about a repugnant medical practitioner who was arguably getting what he deserved. I think it was an appropriate bookend.

On a seperate note:  I know all PP are considered r or x rated but the outro was vulgar without adding anything to what we heard.

Commentary about insanity after a story where the protag goes off the deep end is also appropriate bookending. I thought it was funny. Then again, my sense of humor is a bit off.

David Mills: [to John Doe] I've been trying to figure something in my head, and maybe you can help me out, yeah? When a person is insane, as you clearly are, do you know that you're insane? Maybe you're just sitting around, reading Guns and Ammo, masturbating in your own feces. Do you just stop and go, "Wow! It is amazing how fucking crazy I really am!"? Yeah, do you guys do that?
John Doe: It's more comfortable for you to label me as insane.
David Mills: It's very comfortable.
http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Se7en

[Millenium_King]

I certainly enjoyed this story.  Solidly told, written and read.  Excellent job.

It makes more sense that he was crazy, rather than actually seeing the soul.  There were a few leaps of logic that I just could not seem to make with him.  For example: the murderer had a huge soul while the "harmless potato" man had none.  Had I been the one observing their relative x-rays, I might have assumed the metaphysical mass to be some manifestation of their sins, rather than their soul.

[dmanuel]

I wasn't sure exactly how long it's been since this episode... I see it's been quite some time. Nevertheless, as I'm only now starting to use the forums here, I had to comment.

I love, love, love this story and Al's reading of it. When I recommend Pseudopod to people, this is one of the episodes I recommend. When I only recommend one episode, this is the one.

[dmanuel]

@MiraCheksis

Al was a bit overbroad, but I think he would approve of your studies and your motives.

I can say, as a lawyer, that it's sometimes nice to hear people ripping on other professions.

[Fenrix]

@MiraCheksis

Al was a bit overbroad, but I think he would approve of your studies and your motives.

I can say, as a lawyer, that it's sometimes nice to hear people ripping on other professions.

From the Department of Nitpickers, I think the commentary was from Ben, while the reading was Alasdair. I still stand by what I said earlier about the bookending commentary.