The Toxic Consequences
Dr. O and the Eco-X follows a doctor who invents a way to eliminate plastic and pollution, but the innovation has unexpected consequences. What inspired the idea at the heart of this story?
Some time ago I was shocked to learn about the massive size of plastic waste afloat off the Southern California coast. What hit me was the reference to the plastic mess as being larger than the state of Texas! Then I saw some graphic photos of the ugly mess floating out there and the toxic consequences to marine life. How long will are “fearless leaders” be able to ignore a major problem like this? Perhaps when the first surge of the plastic waste drifts up Hollywood Boulevard?
This seemed like a fun book to write. What scene did you have the most fun writing?
It was fun to do a satire on a scientist, one more time. deciding he could outwit Nature and get away with it. They never learn. Eco-X creatures were fun to portray along with the consequences of ego saving actions, disavowing any involvement and of course a rush to make money off the glaring publicity. It was fun.
What were some ideas that were important for you to explore in this novel?
The numerous reactions of people to the crisis from pointing fingers at others to proclaiming innocence, and how money always carries the day.
What is the next book that you are working on and when will it be available?
I have a finished manuscript staring at me every day but I have to feel right about the story before releasing it. This one is another satire/humor novel but the feeling I get when I know it floats hasn’t happened yet. Thanks for your interest.
Author Links: GoodReads | Amazon
KILLER BEES are an African species introduced because of its ability to produce more honey in a short time. Unfortunately it is agressive and will take over any area. Domestic bees aren’t bred to be fighters and are defenseless against these marauders. ORIENTAL LEAPING FISH were certainly a surprise when they began to appear in fresh water lakes. This little gem leaps out of the water as it swims, and eats water plant life voraciously. Another froriegn invader threatening to wipe out many species of domestic fish since they leave nothing to eat for other species. Swell.
Dr.O had great respect for the powers of nature and altering things in its domain was a perilous path. He vowed never to venture there.Dr. O spent 20 years using embryos to design a unigue creature whose diet consisted of the oil carbons in plastic. Any plastic. As genetist and DNA expert he created the perfect creature to rid the planet of the plastic mess.
Growing them out of embryos there was absolute control of the population since they didn’t reproduce. Success brought on unexpected problems as the world demand mounted and his embryo process was too slow to meet the demand.
Greedy pigs became part of the operation and they pressured Dr. O into making them capable of reproducing. No. no, no he protested—- But perhaps if he was very careful he could keep Nature’s laws out of his creation. No need to tell you there was hell to pay. Follow the wild adventures of the reproductive ECO-X and the humorous incidents they caused. Call them the Wild Bunch.
Demo at initial conference:
As we all know plastic is not bio degradable, but by removing their oil carbon atoms, the rest of the plastic components return to their natural state. He had to stop talking because the crowd erupted into hundreds of excited conversations. Joe stepped aside for Dr. O. so he could continue on with the lecture when the audience calmed down. They moved on to the actual field demonstration of the plastic eating animal A large round container was wheeled to the center of the auditorium filled with plastic scraps. The lab assistants opened the metal box and brought out one hundred Eco-X. They didn’t have to be coaxed to eat plastic They dove head first into the plastic and bored holes with their corkscrew snouts. Soon there was a low hum emenating from the container similar to the sound of sawing wood. They watched the level of plastic parts sinking faster and faster as the Eco-X creatures swung into eating their native sustenance. Within fifteen minutes all of the plastic was consumed. There were audible burping sounds coming from the container. At the bottom of the tank the Eco-X chirped loudly apparently a happy noise for a great meal. It sounded like the chirping of small birds, wrens, warblers etc. in springtime. Around them a vapor cloud formed and floated upward over the amphitheater. It rained inside the auditorium until the cloud was gone. It was all too weird for most of the guests who rushed for the exit doors in a panic. They were soaking wet and wondering if these glutinous little beasts might still be hungry.
Posted on January 23, 2022, in Interviews and tagged Aaron T Knight, author, author interview, book, book recommendations, book review, book reviews, book shelf, bookblogger, books, books to read, Dr O and the ECO-X, ebook, ecofiction, ecology, fiction, goodreads, kindle, kobo, literature, nook, novel, read, reader, reading, science fiction, scifi, story, writer, writing. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a comment.
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