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"Alien space bats" ("ASBs") is a neologism for plot devices used in alternate history to mean an implausible point of divergence.

Definition

"Alien space bats" originally was used as a sarcastic attack on poorly written alternate histories seen as being implausible. The attacks are usually phrased as the need for "alien space bats" or by saying that the alternate history has gone into "ASB territory". The term eventually evolved into a reference to deus ex machina to create an impossible point of divergence.^[1] Examples include changes to the physical laws of nature, time travel, and advanced aliens interfering in human affairs. An example of the last change is Harry Turtledove's Worldwar series.^[2]

History

The term "alien space bats" was coined and popularized in the Usenet group "soc.history.what-if" in 1998.^[3]^[4] Alison Brooks (1959–2002), credited as the creator of the term, used it to debunk the possibility of a successful Operation Sea Lion by saying that Nazi Germany could successfully invade the United Kingdom across the English Channel only if they had the help of alien space bats.^[5]^[3] Brooks regretted the use of the ASBs as a supernatural agency and preferred to restrict them to rhetoric.^[1]

S. M. Stirling credited Brooks with creating the term in the acknowledgments section of Dies the Fire in which he changed the laws of physics^[6] and also used the plot device to send Nantucket back in time in Island in the Sea of Time.^[7]^[8] One character throughout Dies the Fire and its sequels believes the change to the laws of nature to have been done by an advanced alien race because the changes were finely tailored and refers to the race as alien space bats.^[9]^[10] In a review of Dies the Fire, Dale Cozort addressed the perceived 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.'"^[11] Paul Di Filippo often uses the term in reviewing the series.^[8]^[12] The term also appeared in John Birmingham's 2008 novel Without Warning.^[13]

In popular culture

In Ken MacLeod's Learning the World alien space bats actually appear as characters in the novel as an in-joke.^[14]^[15]
The gaming magazine Pyramid published an article describing how someone could play as an alien space bat in a role-playing game.^[3]
In Failbetter Games' browser game Fallen London, Victorian-era London is stolen by alien bats from space, though the creators said that this was a coincidence.^[16]
Steven H Silver's story "Bats in Thebayou" features alien space bats invading Texas.

References

^ ^a ^b Stas Bekman. "What are the Alien Space Bats? (soc.history.what-if)". stason.org. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
^ "Frequently Asked Questions". Changing the Times. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
^ ^a ^b ^c Matt Riggsby (November 18, 2005). "Alien Space Bats for GURPS Fourth Edition". Pyramid. Retrieved 19 December 2008.
^ https://groups.google.com/group/soc.history.what-if/topics soc.history.what-if
^ Alison Brooks (1999-04-15). "Alien Space Bats: A History". soc.history.what-if. Retrieved 2008-10-09.
^ Stirling, S. M. (2004). Dies the Fire. New York: Roc. pp. 496. ISBN 0-451-45979-2.
^ Christopher Nuttall. "Alison Brooks". Changing the Times. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
^ ^a ^b Paul Di Filippo. "Off the Shelf: Dies the Fire". Book Review. SciFi.com. Archived from the original on 2008-04-21. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
^ "S. M. Stirling: Turning Points". Interview. Locus Online. January 2006. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
^ S. M. Stirling. "The Protector's War Chapter 2". Sample Chapter. smstriling.com. Archived from the original on 2008-08-21. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
^ Dale Cozort (2004). "Review: Dies The Fire - By Steve Stirling". Dale Cozort's Alternate History Newsletter. Archived from the original on March 28, 2008. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
^ Filippo, Paul Di (September 5, 2005). "The Protector's War". Book review. Sci Fi Weekly. Archived from the original on October 22, 2006. Retrieved 28 November 2008.
^ Birmingham, John (2009). Without Warning. New York: Del Rey Books. pp. 33, 261. ISBN 978-0-345-50289-6.
^ Harrison, Niall; Dan Hartland (2005-12-15). "Two Views: Learning the World by Ken Macleod". Book Review. Strange Horizons. Archived from the original on 2008-05-17. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
^ "Ken MacLeod: Politics & SF". Interview. Locus Online. September 2006. Retrieved 2008-10-08.
^ "Is it a coincidence …". Reddit r/IAmA. 2015-02-06. Retrieved 2024-12-05. [Alexis] A total coincidence. I was delighted.