(Bonus Episode) “WELCOME MARTIANS” by S. A. Lombino – Short Sci-Fi Story #WeirdDarkness
Digest
The episode begins by discussing the human fascination with finding hidden objects, from childhood games to the allure of cryptids like Bigfoot. It then introduces the book "Your Bigfoot Expedition," a collection of paintings featuring hidden Sasquatch figures, and takes a humorous turn, suggesting a political campaign for Bigfoot and Mothman, highlighting the absurdity of political promises and encouraging listeners to vote for cryptids instead. The episode then shifts to a science fiction story about two astronauts, Kal and Dave, landing on Mars. They discover a breathable atmosphere and encounter a group of people who speak English, leading to confusion and a sense of unease. They are greeted by Mayor Panley, who welcomes them back to New Caleth, a city on Earth. They are confused, as they believe they have traveled to Mars. The mayor insists they are back on Earth, and the city celebrates their "return" from a four-year space journey. After a week of festivities, Kal and Dave try to explain to the mayor that they are not the astronauts they are mistaken for and that they have never been to Earth before. The mayor dismisses their claims as a joke, and they are sent to Dome City. In Dome City, they meet the president, who is aware of their claims but believes they are suffering from space-related mental effects. They try to convince him of their true identity, but he remains skeptical. The president presents them with photographs of the astronauts they are mistaken for, which bear a striking resemblance to them. Cal realizes the possibility of parallel cultures on different planets, leading to the confusion. The episode concludes with the astronauts returning to Earth, landing in New York City. They are still confused and unsure of what has happened, but they are back on their home planet.
Outlines
Hidden Objects, Cryptids, and Parallel Worlds
The episode explores the human fascination with hidden objects, the absurdity of political promises, and the possibility of parallel cultures on different planets. It introduces the book "Your Bigfoot Expedition" and a humorous political campaign for Bigfoot and Mothman.
Astronauts on Mars?
Two astronauts, Kal and Dave, land on Mars and encounter a breathable atmosphere and English-speaking people, leading to confusion and a sense of unease. They are mistaken for astronauts who have returned from a four-year space journey to Earth.
The Truth and the Parallel Earth
The astronauts try to explain their true identity to the Martian authorities, but they are dismissed as delusional. They are presented with photographs of their counterparts on Earth, leading to the realization of parallel cultures.
Return to Earth and Unanswered Questions
The astronauts return to Earth, landing in New York City, still confused and unsure of what has happened. The episode ends with unanswered questions about the nature of parallel cultures and the vastness of the universe.
Keywords
Cryptids
Cryptids are creatures whose existence is unconfirmed by science but are often the subject of folklore and legend. Examples include Bigfoot, the Loch Ness Monster, and the Yeti.
Parallel Cultures
The concept of parallel cultures suggests that two distinct civilizations, even on different planets, can develop similar cultural traits and advancements due to shared starting conditions and evolutionary pressures.
Space Travel
Space travel refers to the act of traveling beyond Earth's atmosphere into outer space. It involves advanced technology and scientific knowledge, and it has been a major goal of humanity for centuries.
Bigfoot
Bigfoot, also known as Sasquatch, is a legendary creature said to inhabit the forests of North America. It is described as a large, hairy humanoid with footprints much larger than those of any known animal.
Mothman
Mothman is a cryptid reported to have been sighted in Point Pleasant, West Virginia, in the 1960s. It is described as a large, winged creature with glowing red eyes.
New Caleth
New Caleth is a fictional city in the episode, where the astronauts are mistakenly welcomed back from a space journey. It serves as a setting for the story's central conflict and the exploration of parallel cultures.
Dome City
Dome City is another fictional location in the episode, a futuristic city on Mars. It represents a technologically advanced society and serves as a point of contact for the astronauts with the Martian government.
Q&A
What is the main theme of the episode?
The episode explores the themes of human fascination with hidden objects, the absurdity of political promises, and the possibility of parallel cultures on different planets.
What is the significance of the book "Your Bigfoot Expedition"?
The book serves as a humorous introduction to the episode's theme of cryptids and hidden objects, and it also provides a link to the episode's website, WeirdDarkness.com.
What is the purpose of the political campaign for Bigfoot and Mothman?
The campaign is a satirical commentary on the political landscape, highlighting the absurdity of promises and encouraging listeners to vote for something different.
What is the central conflict in the science fiction story?
The central conflict arises from the astronauts' confusion about their location and their struggle to convince the Martian authorities of their true identity.
What is the significance of the parallel cultures theory?
The theory provides a possible explanation for the astronauts' mistaken identity and the similarities between Earth and Mars, suggesting that two civilizations can develop along similar paths despite being separated by vast distances.
What is the overall message of the episode?
The episode encourages listeners to question assumptions, embrace the unknown, and find humor in the unexpected. It also suggests that there may be more to the universe than we currently understand.
Show Notes
IN THIS EPISODE: What if we landed on Mars and discovered people who were so much like us that they wouldn’t actually believe you were from Earth?
SOURCES AND REFERENCES FROM THE EPISODE…
“Welcome Martians” by S.A. Lombino: https://amzn.to/4exzpEq
Weird Darkness theme by Alibi Music Library.
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"I have come into the world as a light, so that no one who believes in me should stay in darkness." — John 12:46
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WeirdDarkness® is a registered trademark. Copyright ©2024, Weird Darkness.
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Originally aired: October 14, 2024
CUSTOM LANDING PAGE: https://weirddarkness.com/welcomemartians
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