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Big Dumb Object

A term used in discussing science fiction, a Big Dumb Object (BDO) is a mysterious artifact (usually alien) in a story which generates an intense sense of wonder just by being there; to a certain extent, the term deliberately deflates this.

Big Dumb Objects in science fiction include:

Iain M. Banks' Excession
Larry Niven's Ringworld
Arthur C. Clarke's Rama
Arthur C. Clarke's monolith in 2001: A Space Odyssey
Greg Bear's Eon
Bob Shaw's Orbitsville[?]
many Dyson Spheres

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