To Scale
This too shall pass.
Somewhere out there, describing a perfect sphere at this point, is the very first radio transmission made by humans. Attenuated and weak, but detectable information in a sea of noise.
And after that comes the second radio transmission. And a third. The trickle of information turns into a flood.
Soon after, the first television signals. Images from this race that dared make their mark on the universe, to strike the surface and let the ripples spread.
The torrent continues, depicting our victories and struggles. Our uncertain, short-sighted, self-centred attempts at improvement. The dark and shifting undercurrents of hate. The shining beacons of hope, a few times per generation, inspiring far more numerous (if dimmer) glows.
Will our nameless observers weep? Will they rage? The signal is one-way, at this point. Overwhelming odds are that our race will no longer be. They are watching a story that has already unfolded, for them.
But not, thankfully, for us. For us, the future is still being woven.
Prequels
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Sequels
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Comments (5 so far!)
Average reader rating 5.00/5
ethelthefrog
Gorgeous. The imagery evokes the opening sequence to the movie version of "Contact". The last line makes it, though.
- #575 Posted 10 years ago
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- 5 out of 5
Escapist
I very much like the multiple levels of waves that you showed with the water imagery throughout. It conceptualized the more scientific waves in a really beautiful way. Well done!
- #576 Posted 10 years ago
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aslargeasalone
I am fascinated by this. I was too stunned to even comment first time round, but it's magnificent. Thank you!
- #585 Posted 10 years ago
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- 5 out of 5
THX0477
Cute and thoughtful. I like it. An example of the kind of beauty and introspection that can occur within somewhat of a science-fiction milieu.
- #609 Posted 10 years ago
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Story prompt:
Any kind of waves: gentle, roaring, electromagnetic, gravitational, anything. Just be sure to mention waves.
- Published 10 years ago and featured 10 years ago.
- Story viewed 28 times and rated 2 times.
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HSAR
Thanks to Ethel for the prompt, which gave focus to a concept long nurtured.
Written to the sound of "The Circle of Life" from a childhood classic.