Jump to content

Alien space bats

Edit links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by Zombie Hunter Smurf (talk | contribs) at 02:04, 10 October 2008 (→‎Background). The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Alien space bats (ASBs) is a term for plot devices sometimes used in alternate history to create a point of divergence that would otherwise be implausible.

Background

The term "alien space bats" was first coined, then popularized in the usenet group soc.history.what-if. The term was originally meant as a sarcastic attack on poor alternate histories due to lack of plausibility. These attacks are usually phrased in terms of the need for “Alien Space Bats” or ASBs as the motive force behind the change. This original definition was used by one critic in a review of Robert Conroy's 1862.[1] The term eventually evolved into a deus ex machina to create an impossible point of divergences.[2] Examples include changes to the physical laws of nature, introducing magic into the world, time travel, and advanced aliens interfering in human affairs. An example of aliens interfering in human affairs to change the direction of history is Harry Turtledove's Worldwar series.[3]

Alison Brooks is credited as the creator of the term.[4] Brooks regretted the use of the ASBs as a supernatural agency, preferring to restrict them to rhetoric.[2] S. M. Stirling credited Brooks with creating the term in the acknowledgments section of Dies the Fire[5] and also used the plot device to send Nantucket back in time in Island in the Sea of Time and changing the laws of nature in Dies the Fire.[6][7] One character throughout Dies the Fire and its sequels believes the change to the laws of nature were done by an advanced race because the changes were finely tailored and refers to this race as alien space bats.[8][9] In a review of Dies the Fire, Dale Cozort addressed the implausibility of the novel by saying "Just say to yourself, 'The elder gods or alien space bats took our toys away and that’s all there is to it.'"[10]

A Strange Horizons reviewer described alien space bats as "everyone’s favourite SF plot McGuffin." In Ken MacLeod's Learning the World alien space bats actually appear as characters in the novel as an in-joke.[11][12]

See also

References

  1. ^ Bryn Monnery. "Robert Conroy's "1862: A Novel": a Critical Analysis". Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  2. ^ a b Stas Bekman. "What are the Alien Space Bats? (soc.history.what-if)". stason.org. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  3. ^ "Frequently Asked Questions". Changing the Times. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  4. ^ Alison Brooks (04/15/1999). "Alien Space Bats: A History". soc.history.what-if. Retrieved 2008-10-09. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ Stirling, S.M. (2004). Dies the Fire. New York: Roc. p. 496. ISBN 0451459792.
  6. ^ Christopher Nuttall. "Alison Brooks". Changing the Times. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  7. ^ Paul Di Filippo. "Off the Shelf: Dies the Fire". Book Review. SciFi.com. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  8. ^ "S.M. Stirling: Turning Points". Interview. Locus Online. January 2006. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  9. ^ S. M. Stirling. "The Protector's War Chapter 2". Sample Chapter. smstriling.com. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  10. ^ Dale Cozort (2004). "Review: Dies The Fire - By Steve Stirling". Dale Cozort's Alternate History Newsletter. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
  11. ^ Harrison, Niall (12/15/2005). "Two Views: Learning the World by Ken Macleod". Book Review. Strange Horizons. Retrieved 2008-10-08. {{cite web}}: Check date values in: |date= (help); Unknown parameter |coauthors= ignored (|author= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Ken MacLeod: Politics & SF". Interview. Locus Online. September 2006. Retrieved 2008-10-08.

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Alien_space_bats&oldid=244278797"