This story poked an ample number of buttons for me, and I've been procrastinating putting up my comments here, so I'm slightly disheartened to see that there aren't more comments. But, be that as it may, I'll push onward.
First, a little warning. I might sound slightly ranty, and I don't completely mean to be, just ..slightly. Second, let me say that I worry about how my comments will come off, and that's another reason that I've been so hesitant to post. I've sat in front of my email program more than once with a letter began to both feedback and the editor, both of which I eventually tossed into the trash instead of even letting the draft linger. At any rate, onto my actual comments...
This was a really well put together story that touched on a lot of things that had meaning to me. I feel like it's something that perhaps applies to us today. Following, finding our purpose, even if it's what might be an unworthy or unhealthy purpose, and figuring out that sometimes there's hope even when we don't know where or how things or going to come together. I felt like there were good messages in this, and at least for me, it connected with my experiences.
What bothers me about this story, is that it's in the Artemis Rising series. Yes, it actually bothers me that we even have to HAVE the Artemis Rising series. And all of these feelings, really have nothing to do with this story, or the works we hear in general. It's my belief that this story was great! It stands on its own merits! It doesn't NEED to have a special opportunity in Artemis Rising. And perhaps I'm in the minority, but a good story is a good story, regardless of the gender or gender identity of the writer. Period. (This is the ranty party I warned you about.) The whole purpose of reading or listening to a story is for the sake of the story, not the gender or gender identity of the writer. A good writer just writes. A good story is still a good story, written by a man, a woman, a Caucasian, an Indian, an Italian, an Englishman (or woman), or something else. Gender Identity may help form the experiences of the writer, and thereby what they write, but it doesn't make a bad story good, or a good story bad, those are unlinked qualities.
The idea of Artemis Rising aggravates the tar out of me. It implies that women and non-binary writers might not have good quality writing all the time, and therefore we should pay extra special attention. I disagree completely. As a listener of Escape Pod (and Pod Castle), I expect editors to bring us good stories. Sometimes I think they're great, sometimes they're meh. That's my problem. But, I do expect editors to bring forward good stories, regardless of the source!
My apologies for sounding ranty. The idea that we need a special showcase like Artemis Rising rubs my fur the wrong way. I just want good writing, and if it's from a woman, great. If it's from non-binary, great. If it's from a man, that's just fine too. Please, just on with the good stories!