Entropy of Memory
We don’t have to look very far in our culture to find the process of myth-making. We cherish our cultural heroes, lionizing them in comic books, movies, and on CNN. However, what we fail to consider is how those stories are crafted. Behind every hero is a savvy marketing machine. Our culture is guilty of shading the truth with hyperbole to make the stories of ordinary men and women more extraordinary. By the time our media polishes a story for consumption, does it still contain a kernel of truth?
I think the narrator of the following story says it the best: “All things tend toward disorder, the truth most of all.”
“Entropy of Memory”
Story by Peter Hodges
Dramatic Reading: Rob Abrams, Kate Baker, and Peter Hodges
Sound Effects and Engineering: Rob Abrams and Kate Baker
Music: “The Paschal Spiral” (The Da Vinci Code), “Ad Arcana” (The Da Vinci Code), “ONUS II” – Brittney Sparse, “L’esprit Des Gabriel” (The Da Vinci Code)
Writer/Director Commentary
First of all, thanks to Chang for the use of another great piece of music. You can visit his music collection by clicking on the above link; his blog is featured in the blogroll to the right.
I’ll let Kate and Rob talk for themselves on the sound editing side, but I’d like to make a few comments. I think that this is the most difficult podcast we’ve attempted. We’ve blended three different mics, added some rudimentary sound effects, and ironed out dialogue between three people. Kate (who has been promoted to Producer!) has done an excellent job in mixing sound and equalizing volume. She gets more awesome with each podcast. I had asked Rob for “radio” effects, as well as the fishbowl sound of touching two space suited helmet together when talking. He did both sound effects VERY well.
I’ve always had a soft spot for this story. It’s a near-future, hard SF story that I wrote while I was in a complete funk one evening. (As is usually the case with artists, a healthy does of melancholy goes a long way toward inspiration.) This allowed me the ability to get on my soap box about our manifest destiny to space and still tell a decent story.
Nicely done.
I really like the story. You manage to capture the terror of their predicament very well and then transfer it to the reader all to clearly.
And I must say I am pleased as punch ( a very macho term) that Kate chose another song of mine. ONUS II (as it’s called) is a weird one for me in that I never felt it quite belonged or was finished. Now I hear it in context and realize it works perfectly as it is when used as a bed for voice.
Excellent work, all involved! I look forward to your next effort!
Well done!! I’d like an opportunity to space the coward.. Had I been in that situation, I would have looked at inducing hypothermia in the hopes that we could be revived after recovery. That drastically reduces the need for 02.. but that would have ruined the story… Oh well.. Blitz
good stuff keep it coming.
man, that was a good story, Pete. And nicely told, as always, by Kate. Guest appearance by His Chop-iness pretty much seals the deal. 3 out of 5 thumbs! (ya, I stole some hands earlier today… >.>)
incidentally.. i’m tired .. that was supposed to be 3 out of 2, which would be great, as opposed to 3 out of 5, which is saying “you didn’t suck, congratulations.”
Thanks…I think.
Hope I’m not stepping on any toes here, but would it be possible to get these stories in written format? I know this story already, and I would hate to think that someone may be missing out on it by choosing not to listen to the podcast. Personally, I’d rather read a story myself so that I can form the voices and surroundings for myself in my head.
man, I really ought to read your blog at some point in the day that isn’t seven seconds after I get home from work… my comments will undoubtedly make more sense then >