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Comment by _young_grug_ | Hacker News Reader

This would be a cool origin story for astrophage (from Project Hail Mary, a fun & light sci fi read by the Martian guy)

Also this is how the protomolecile from The Expanse feeds. It can absorb pretty much any radiation across the whole spectrum.

I was thinking the same thing. That one accelerates its growth in the presence of radiation. But it also seeks out human flesh and brains to build its biomass intelligence blob, unfortunately.

In the books, it is suggested (if not stated outright) that the protomolecule was probably intended to work with much simpler forms of life, but is also able to make use of higher forms like humans.

The reason so many were infected on Eros was because humans deliberately infected everyone on the station. Likewise with the human/protomolecule hybrids.

There is a movie coming with Ryan Gosling, I sure hope they keep the spirit of the book and don't turn that into some bizarre hollywoodish cash grab

I think the Martian was adapted well from book to movie, so I have hope for this one. That said, compressing the entire story into a theatre runtime is tricky: I think it would be a win if only half of the character and relationship growth of the two ship bound protagonists comes through in the adaptation (because it was sooo good in the book!)

The Martian was well adapted as the story has an attention to scientific details, can’t say that for Project Hail Mary

True - but I think that might make the adaptation to a movie easier, not harder.

Like GP said, I think the trick to this book is in the relationship between the 2 main characters, so hopefully they nail that. Judging by the trailer they made it all quite humorous.

Andy Weir is a producer on this one. The trailer looks good (with spoilers)

I know they have to peak interest, but man, so many spoilers in the 2 trailers. They look amazing, clearing a huge budget and I hope a solid adaptation… sad for people that don’t know the story to miss out on the reveals.

That Oasis tune in the 2nd trailer already ruined everything for me.

The audiobook narrated by Ray Porter is also really good.

In fact, it's so good that it sets a really good example of what an enjoyable experience listening to an audiobook can be.

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