HUGO AWARD-WINNING SCIENCE FICTION & FANTASY MAGAZINE
The Womb Factory
Our third piece of audio fiction for April is "The Womb Factory" written by Peter M. Ferenczi and read by Kate Baker.
Clarkesworld Magazine Issue 67 - The Womb Factory by Peter M. Ferenczi [36:26m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (32553)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Peter M. Ferenczi has written extensively about technology for national magazines and the web, sometimes as a cheerleader, sometimes as a catcaller and concerned citizen of the world. He writes speculative fiction in the hope that he may infect others with the bone-deep reading addiction that’s plagued him since he resolved the alphabet into words.
Born in California, he's drifted east, living in North Carolina, New York, England, and now France. Along the way he acquired a couple of degrees, a love of photography and a taste for travel. He lives in Paris with his wife.
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ISSN 1937-7843 Clarkesworld Magazine © 2006-2020 Wyrm Publishing. Robot illustration by Serj Iulian.
Scatcatpdx wrote on April 24th, 2012 at 5:58 pm:
At last we have a story, (more later)
I like this story as in a way describing what could be a Communist China Day in the Life of Ivan Denisovich. It you after story comments that leave a bitter taste in my. I see it more of a problem of living in a totalitarian state and corruption, where one is no more that a clog in a machine rater than a person, than consumerism. The issue is not black and white and a huge conundrum for me. Do we trade with China or not both have consequences but no trade is far worst. , ok in real life I say the Chinese worker at Foxcon is better treated than their predecessor during the Cultural Revolution. Mei would still be in the same bad situation but in collective or substance farm or in the local economy instead of a factory.
The question is harder is there really anything we can do about it except for reforming the government. Without consumerism I would not be writing this post we would not be able afford the technology. I do not think banishing consumerism will do any good. A future Mei would be still working in a factory not building toys but biological weapon components.
“When goods do not cross borders, soldiers will.”
Frédéric Bastiat
Khaalidah wrote on May 2nd, 2012 at 9:59 pm:
I loved this tale for so many reasons. Certainly it speaks to our current political and social climate and understanding, relations with China, issues of infringement and piracy, but Mei's sentiments and emotions are so heavy and real, this story is about so much more. Politics aside, this heart rending tale also challenges how we value each other right down to the most basic human level. What is a life worth? Does money, status, race, or gender play any part in determining one's value. This was a masterpiece and I plan on listening to it again.
TwistedSciFi wrote on May 3rd, 2012 at 10:35 pm:
I discovered your podcast because it was recommend by Adam Pracht from the StarShipSofa podcast. I think your podcast is fantastic, and you do a great job with the narration. I enjoyed listening to the dark tale, "The Womb Factory," today. I love the premise of the story; it's an interesting extrapolation of the way that workers are exploited today. Keep up the great work!