Big Dumb Object

In discussion of science fiction, a Big Dumb Object (BDO) is any mysterious object, usually of extraterrestrial or unknown origin and immense power, in a story which generates an intense sense of wonder by its mere existence. To a certain extent, the term deliberately deflates this. The term was not in general use until Peter Nicholls included it in The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction as a joke in 1993, while its creation has been attributed to reviewer Roz Kaveney. Big Dumb Objects often exhibit extreme or unusual properties, or a total absence of some expected properties:

Big Dumb Object

In discussion of science fiction, a Big Dumb Object (BDO) is any mysterious object, usually of extraterrestrial or unknown origin and immense power, in a story which generates an intense sense of wonder by its mere existence. To a certain extent, the term deliberately deflates this. The term was not in general use until Peter Nicholls included it in The Encyclopedia of Science Fiction as a joke in 1993, while its creation has been attributed to reviewer Roz Kaveney. Big Dumb Objects often exhibit extreme or unusual properties, or a total absence of some expected properties: