As an assistant producer, I suppose I probably shouldn't reply on the forums, necessarily. (Forgive me, Norm, for I have sinned).
However, I am, and probably always will be, something of a "Papa Bear" when it comes to the narrators I work with. So when a critique is directed directly at their work, I will say: I respect and welcome such feedback (how will we improve, after all?), but I probably
will also respond to it.
Understand: In many cases I've worked with these narrators for years. They're highly professional, have worked for me at rates far lower than what they're worth (at times, for free), and are some of the most creative and innovative narrators I've ever had the pleasure to work with (that goes especially for Ibba and Trendane Sparks this week. They've been reliable go-to narrators for me for years).
I'm not ashamed to say that both have frequently left me weeping with their narrations.
That said...
I get what you're saying about the sped-up section of "Divided by Zero." I'm sure it was hard to follow and and struck the ear strangely if you weren't prepared for it.
That said, it's likely my favorite audio effect I've heard this year on Escape Pod (and, I'll add, was all the better because I didn't give Ibba direction toward that end).
Also, when you
see that portion on the page, it's difficult to follow and gives you a particular feeling of bewilderment as the words all hit you "at once."
Ibba's audio effect, imho, is the perfect audio translation of that visual effect.
In other words, the actual content of that section was far less important to me than the impressionistic effect and feeling that it conveys - that is, what does it feel like to drop into this underspace where feeling and sensation hit you with a confusing simtinatiety? (that a word? Is now...)
It actually gave me goosebumps, especially the rising pitch and tempo, followed by the sudden cutoff and a moment of complete silence. I actually felt like I'd traveled through this underspace with just a few effects. Isn't that worth a bit of difficulty? How dull would it have been if Ibba had just read that at the same careful pace as everything else (my answer: Very.)
And, if you really care about the specific content, that's what the back button on your podcast player is for (not to mention a speed control if, like me, you use an app like BeyondPod).
Get used to some occasional audio effects like this, folks, now that I'm here.
I think that when they're used appropriately and carefully, they add greater artistry and interest to this craft of audio fiction.
If you don't like it... I guess - tough?
But do keep the feedback coming.
Thanks!
-Adam