Essay Questions

What is an astrobiologist?

Theo Byrne introduces himself as an astrobiologist. Astrobiology is a scientific discipline combining advanced knowledge of both astronomy and biology. The singular purpose of the astrobiology is the study of the possibility of life existing elsewhere in the universe. Within this larger framework, specialities may include things like studying radio waves for potential interaction with alien intelligence, intensive study of the geography or atmosphere of other planets for the possibility of human colonization, or the study of extreme climate events as a guide to predicting the future of earth's climate.

Why does Theo, early in the narrative, make a pointed reference to the Creation Museum and Ark Encounter?

Both of these were at the time of publication actual existing tourist attractions in Kentucky specifically marketed to Christians and espousing an anti-evolutionary alternative to the history of civilization. The Creation Museum was specifically infamous for twisting the science of Darwinian evolution to fit its myth while the Ark Encounter gained its drawing power from what was marketed as an actual size replica of Noah's ark according to scripture. Theo will mention these two tourist sites in concert with an observation about the lack of interest in scientific fact among the natives calling that part of Kentucky home. They will not be mentioned again. The purpose of drawing specific attention to them seems to be foreshadowing an argument raised in the story about having faith in unproven science being substantially different from faith in disproven myths.

Against what actual historical background is a semi-fictional element of the story introduced?

The novel was published on September 21, 2021. On January 6 of that same year, an armed insurrection took place in support of President Donald Trump's disproven contention that the 2020 election had been stolen from him. It would later be affirmatively revealed through the release of multiple sources of evidence that in the weeks between the election and the insurrection, Trump and members of his administration along with multiple high-profile supporters had seriously considered efforts to override the will of people by taking whatever measures were necessary to ensure that he remain in office. The book--obviously written and published before much of this evidence was released to the public--can be fairly described as only just barely semi-fictional in its speculative background drama of an unnamed President officially declaring the election invalid after having lost to his opponent and ordering a complete national do-over.