"What’s It Like Out There?" by Edmond Hamilton / A HorrorBabble Production

[@robertwalker-smith2739]

This makes me remember the old veterans I met when working at the VA hospital. They would say that most civilians really don't want to know what combat is really like.

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Agree. I was thinking the same thing exactly. 55:31 The end of the story is exactly how I felt when I came home.

[@Evelyn-pl3we]

Yup! I currently work at the VA hospital and come from a military family. I can’t tell you how many times vets say, “I can’t even explain what I saw/did…” most times these statements are said with tears in their eyes. Chilling.

[@sub-jec-tiv]

It’s not surprising that a decent percentage of anti-war folks are ex-soldiers.

[@ryanrobison8973]

There are certain experiences and depths of emotion that cannot be described. You have to experience it yourself to understand. It also seems like almost every single person who gains an understanding of what one of those negative experiences is like, they really wish to go back to the time when they didn't. I have 2 of those myself and am dealing with PTSD a year later at 25. Healing and happiness is possible for everyone though thank goodness. You just have to have the willpower to ask for help and then to face the experience in its entirety.

[@donaldmccleary9015]

@Evelyn-pl3we thank you so much for what you do. Please know it helps many veterans. We appreciate it.

[@rubytrotter3766]

A survivor’s job is very hard in ways most people don’t think about

[@PhlashRockinmann]

You are certainly correct.

[@davidwhite7294]

Brilliant....a timeless tale. He could have been a young sailor or soldier from any past war or conflict having to do the same.....being economical with the truth to spare the feelings of those deeply bereaved.

[@shokmusic_AC]

Well said

[@markrpatterson9717]

My dad fought in WWII. He never talked about it until he was well into his eighties. His stories were horrific. Just felt like sharing.

[@tomcurran8470]

Especially the guys who fought the Japanese, they never talked about it, and never bought anything Japanese. My dad was in North Africa in the Army Air Force fighting Romel, the Desert Fox. They took Italian and German prisoners who were both glad to be captured and everyone got along fine, especially the Italians who they sent to Cairo to get food and cook it as they were on a British base and the main fare was tough Mouton, which the Americans couldn't stand anymore.

[@MoonLitChild]

My granddad did too-- he could talk about it any way but personally, and never mentioned anything that happened after the first concentration camps were found in France. He was radio/communications, so we always suspected he was there when the camps were first found.

[@seanhall8686]

My grandfather was in a B-24 over Europe. He also never spoke of it until shortly before he died. It haunted him.

[@AgentMulder1805]

Loving this channel, you fools! We listen to some every night, even though Warren is dead! Thanks for 'Babbling' so much great 'Horror'! From Aussie 'Babblers' 👻🇦🇺😱🇦🇺👍

[@AcornElectron]

“I have told you over and over again. You say to me that there is nothing in the swamp or near it which could form the setting of that frightful episode. I reply that I know nothing beyond what I saw…….. Ian and Jen keeping up the good work and, as always, staying safe!” ❤

[@feralbluee]

feeling the same - very affecting. 🦋

[@bluegreenglue6565]

Wow. One of the best-written stories I've heard in a while. Quite insightful, more so the more I think about it. Thank you so much for this very enjoyable and thought-provoking production.

[@ryanhkimmel]

Man what a bleak tale of this poor man with PTSD being haunted by all the good men he knew from a doomed expedition...I loved it!

[@stevec2993]

Spoiler alert please

[@davidwhite7294]

Like many after any war.

[@dwellerofthedark]

This one certainly influenced a few Rod Serling episodes of The Twilight Zone. Great find Ian and team.

[@michaelkottler]

Another in a long series of quality stories selected and well-adapted by HorrorBabble for our entertainment & edification. Hamilton's powerful "What's It Like Out There?" helped establish familiar sci-fi/horror tropes (doing so in fine form), most saliently the "(They) can't handle the truth" theme. Excellent again, HB. "What's It Like Out There?" is a hard-hitting gut-punch of substantial war-horror and social commentary as sci-fi reflecting the deep, primal, all-to-real horrors experienced by war vets and others unfortunate enough to suffer the worst possible types of trauma, effectively combining uncomfortable but familiar war tropes with grand sci-fi and intimate glimpses into the human experience. It's an important and influential story well worth a listen HorrorBabble-style. I might add that the idea of astronauts, like war veterans, not being completely forthcoming re: their mission experiences and at the same tine not being taken seriously enough when they were adamant in telling the truth is a salient real-life phenomenon that goes all the way back to the very first Apollo missions. The nature of their collective experience paints a fascinating if potentially frightening picture of the true nature of our Moon.

[@patrickowens4294]

This was a fantastic, engrossing story. It's the kind that sticks with you. The first night after listening to your reading, I had dreams about the narrative, and I've been thinking about it since. It would make for a great movie if done right. Seeing the protagonist traveling from family to family, seeing how everything happened in reality through his flashbacks, then the alternate version he tells the families. I believe it could be Oscar worthy with the right director and lead actor.

[@merlapittman5034]

This reminded me again of just how good a writer Edmund Hamilton was. You told it so very well. Thank you!

[@paulcateiii]

I agree

[@davidwhite7294]

Thats right ....l always enjoyed the very real emotions in his"stories".

[@shelleymarquis2887]

Thanks for a non mythos story. I love your narrations but I'm having a hard enough time maintaining my own carefully constructed personal mythos to keep up with Lovecraft, too! I'm only 72 so it can't be age that mixes up story lines. Last week there were tentacles waving at me in my linen closet. I had to close the door and count ten to make my sheets come back. Whew, that was a close one. 😉

[@HorrorBabble]

Tentacles in the closet? Now there's an idea for a story.

[@bobbymarcum772]

I enjoyed Lovecraft a great deal when I was a small fry, though I had a poor grasp of the English lexicon and my vocabulary demonstrated spasticity, precocious brilliance, and stupidity all together. I informed my class during show and tell that my Dog Taffy, (who was present) used to be a boy until my Dad took him to the Dog Dogtor to have his tentacles cut off.

[@ericjohnson8001]

I'm turning60 soon and I keep seeing stuff like-- the bacon eats my eggs before crawling off my breakfast plate....

[@timthetoolpool]

Very relatable to the experience of joining the military out of high school and how it feels when you finish your contract and go back home.

[@stephaniestevenson6335]

Always delighted to open KZbin and find a new post from Horror Babble! Thanks again!

[@michaelkottler]

I am in total agreement.

[@joemegna447]

A brilliant take on parts of E.M. Remarque's "All Quiet on the Western Front." How can you come back from a living nightmare, and tell the heartbreaking truth to family and friends of those who died a terrible death? Better to lie, and let their minds be at peace.

[@kevinfogle7929]

Always happy to see you upload

[@michaelkottler]

(Total empathy)

[@feralbluee]

He is quite a writer - the experience is so well written - an emotionally draining story. it could have been written about any devastating situation. the writer is so sensitive to catastrophe - like he went through a war where his comrades died right beside him screaming for help. and you read it beautifully, Ian. Thank you. 🦋

[@davidwhite7294]

Yes he is everything you say and l love his vampire story.

[@walterfechter8080]

The title of this story brings to mind what most of us thought during Covid lockdown. I've read this story decades ago. It's a humdinger. It was curious the astronaut was from Ohio. I used to think that Neil Armstrong (from Ohio) witnessed something out of the ordinary on the lunar surface. Keep up the great work! Many thanks, Ian!

[@HorrorBabble]

It's a classic. I've always felt that Armstrong's reticence was the result of such a unique experience -- just like Haddon in the story.

[@dirkbruere]

@@HorrorBabble I recently watched the press conference attended by all three astronauts. There was no joy or triumph. It was more like a funeral

[@HorrorBabble]

@@dirkbruere Makes you think.

[@dirkbruere]

@@HorrorBabble I could almost imagine them landing, then off camera ET strolls up: "Well done monkeys. Have your look around and then piss off and don't come back. We own it"

[@tannagra]

​@@dirkbruere Most likely because they were military men and most, if not all, were test pilots. It was a mission they had trained for and they'd alot of prep for it. Jim lovell said that landing on the moon was easier than landing on a carrier.

[@ryanrobison8973]

Violence is so much more vivid and terrifying than language can describe. It sears itself into your mind, like a hot iron branded into flesh.

[@justicepie314]

I love a story with an unintentional Disturbed lyrics! Thank you for the tale! Early space stories can be the strangest.

[@jamescotton4236]

WOW! Incredibly well written (and performed) especially for a tale published in 1952.

[@jacobmehring1659]

What a thought provoking story! Fantastically performed as always.

[@themotorcyclemasswhole]

I know nothing about the author, but I can guarantee he saw combat.

[@martywood8543]

Warren may be dead, but HorrorBabble is alive and kicking.

[@ericbouchard9744]

What story has the death of Warren? Been watching older Babbles and still haven't come upon that one yet

[@martywood8543]

@@ericbouchard9744 The Statment of Randolph Carter by H.P. lovecraft.

[@torenielsen9993]

What's it like out there? It is too lonely, too empty, and too far from home, And any one of the men who died is worth more than all your appliances. A great story! The horror stems from coming home, and have to perform the role of the 'space man'.

[@MrMonkfiish]

This one was great! You could really feel soul-crushing weight of the truth behind the lies he has to tell, in no small part due to your excellent reading.

[@BeckiLynn_N]

Not sure how to comment on this story. I'm an Iraq combat veteran. I enjoy most of the stories you put out. This one was outstanding, but it's also the first one I've listened to of yours that brought tears to my eyes. We all have stories, funny, sad, scary. But, we tend to conform our stories to our audience. The full experience is something no human should have to endure or hear about. Thank you for this one.

[@HorrorBabble]

I'm sure it hits differently for you, Brent. Thanks for listening.

[@beckymartin1810]

Such a treat to listen to you narrate this thought provoking tale. Thank you!

[@soulreaver1983]

Outstanding as always many thanks Ian i hope you and Jen are well! each and every video are absolutely amazing thank you!😎👍🏻

[@ndamico28]

It

[@ericbouchard9744]

I really like the sci fi stories, no complaints here! This one was very good, probably listen to it again sometime

[@themodestgoddess1645]

Wow. 🤯 "Sci-Fi" just scratches the surface. I'm FLOORED with the allegorical war story horror, the Capitalistic greed for cheap goods, post war jadedness and survivors' guilt. That last line really hit--I spoke to a Vietnam Vet years ago, who--nearly verbatim--said the same thing. 😔 Also this story quite literally takes the "wind out of the sails" of Space Exploration, if you will: a cautionary tale. So many emotions wrapped into one story! 😄💯 That was a catharic ride, for sure! 😅 As ALWAYS, Thank You, Horrorbabble and Rue Morgue for being ROCKSTARS! 🤩 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾

[@dlo009]

One of the best short stories I have ever heard. This kind of situations might happen all the time. Thanks for sharing 5his wonderful story. It made me feel normal, at least for a while.

[@GrubbsandWyrm]

This is such an amazing story. I sent it to my husband who's a disabled vet.

[@CJ-uf6xl]

What a story, sad and bleak but strangely hopeful. Thank you 🙏

[@terryIKE69]

The thumbnail pic for this fantastic-classic story is a true work of art. I'd blow it up to a huge proportions and canvas it on my living room wall.

[@thehefner]

This was such a fantastic story, thank you so much for giving it new life. The most heartbreaking part is where he realizes he can’t open up about the truth because it would just come off as “whining,” leaving him trapped in his trauma under the crushing weights of his perceived heroism and society’s/his own sense of manhood that doesn’t allow men to have feelings. Not to mention that therapy was still very uncommon and often stigmatized back then. Powerful and haunting, and sadly still so relevant.

[@Nanosuit37]

Very good. Thank you Mr. Gordon and Horror Babble. Excellent as always.

[@nickjames205]

Listening from a hospital in California. My first son was born this afternoon. Can't wait to share your work with him when he gets older.

[@HorrorBabble]

Congratulations, Nick!

[@Eris123451]

Do you really think that's wise ?

[@stefen777]

Wow what a fantastic story, thanks for all you do Ian these stories provide so much entertainment to me

[@MrsCaranAmy]

This was an incredible story. It has a moral to the tale that can be applied now. The narration was very well done @Ian Gordon. Thank you. Have a splendid weekend 🤗💖🌟

[@cassandramiller4477]

One of the greatest SF stories ever.

[@shokmusic_AC]

This story was heartbreakingly beautiful. Thank you for sharing the work of this amazing author.

[@SunChaserXVII]

This is a really incredible story, there's so much to it. Great reading!

[@Bobo411]

This might be my favorite story on your channel. Fantastic story and your reading really sells it. Wow.

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

My brother-in-law was a Marine and had some part in the Vietnam War toward the end of it. He was the only one from his group who survived, and one of his buddies died in his arms. The first time we met him was on a 4th of July weekend, and the neighborhood kids were using firecrackers. Every time there was a "bang" he would flinch involuntarily. It was awful to watch. He was never supposed to talk about the mission, and he didn't say much, but my sister said he had nightmares. I don't know if he still has them. I hope not. People who have experienced something like that can never really share it anyway. No one would believe how terrible it is. If they survive, they have lost their innocence forever. Excellent job on this story, Ian. Thanks all.

[@tomcurran8470]

Marines are never "was" they are always a Marine.

[@rosiemcnaughton9933]

@@tomcurran8470 Absolutely! I should have stated it that way. My brother-in-law IS a Marine.

[@DustedVeins]

A heart-breaking story, and a masterful reading of it. Thank you.

[@thefisherking78]

I'm career military and this really got me.

[@paulcateiii]

Thanks Ian - great story tonight

[@1701EarlGrey]

"In space, no one can hear Warren scream!"😂I always thought that science fiction and horror was match made because you never know what is out there... It's time to find out and listen to this story!

[@themotorcyclemasswhole]

You fool! *Warren is dead*

[@lauraorganasolo8875]

I'm so glad you chose to read and share this exceptional story, I would never have gotten around to reading it myself, or perhaps never even heard of it.

[@RydarkVoyager]

I remember reading this as a kid way back in the 60's! A different style of story than the ones I was reading at that time. Thanks for reading!

[@shelleymarquis2887]

Your American accent is fabulous. I keep forgetting to tell you. You've created more than a voice, you've created a whole character. Not that you sound like this guy, but you put me in mind of an actor named Lee Tracy who played opposite Jean Harlow in Bombshell. Consistently authentic character with enough idiosynchricies to make me forget it's really you. OMG! Is it you?

[@gavcoombs9173]

That story so well written and narrated touched me deeply some things just don't need telling.

[@nathanielgrey4091]

This is a beautiful meditation on how convenience comes at the cost of human lives and sanity

[@robbabcock_]

What a wonderful story and a terrific performance!

[@blankfrancine]

Fantastic story! Depressing as hell. Despite a lifetime of science fiction reading, I think this is the first story of Hamilton's that I have encountered. I always thought he was a hack, but I was mistaken! This is superior in my opinion to his "Sargasso of Space," which although it did have many good moments, especially conveying the immensity of the outer reaches of the Solar System, was marred by the romance angle.

[@valkyrienazgul6109]

My fav part of Monday is this 🖤 Love from Romania!

[@marywemigwase3354]

Thanks! I hate feeling obsolete because I want to watch movies the way they were intended to be seen❤❤❤

[@goopah]

Well-done, Ian. I was transfixed throughout. A beautiful story, well told. It wouldn't bother me at all if you strayed from horror from time to time. In fact, I think you already have, more than once.

[@Sophiewimmer443]

It's actually pretty refreshing to see a weird tale that manages to be a good horror story without needed something unknown or alien. Just humans and all the baggage that comes with us. Not even the country or the UN or the mutineers are really the antagonist. No monster to survive or evil to overcome, just a shitty situation and the people who had to go through it.

[@WretchedPlebe]

Not a horror story masterfully told. Thank you.

[@CPWebster]

a great story, truly moving and beautifully narrated.

[@VictorReynolds]

This is a great story! There are no monsters or aliens. The real horror is what our protagonist and his comrades felt on Mars.

[@mauricedavis2160]

HORROR BABBLE, YOUR CHANNEL IS A MUST AND THANK YOU!!!🙏👌👻❣️

[@KingScribus]

wow, this story, it was so sobering and real

[@MrZooBreak]

Another superb reading!!! Many thanks`

[@justinakers3196]

This is sooo reminiscent of the interview with buzz and Neil and the other gentleman. They looked like they were ashamed and hiding something....

[@kristinacable]

Superb tale and narration is on point!❤

[@teslastellar]

Good one 👍 Thank you for the narration 🙂💕

[@shanerose5348]

Just excellent through and through.

[@lorenzbroll101]

Thank you, Ian. I am an absolute fan. I have noticed how you have really improved over time too - although you are always good. Not only that, but I think you and Mark Nelson from the USA are probably the best on YT with this sort of fantastic yarn There is one 'Weird' story I do anticipate you telling: where a freaky circus comes to town which has cadged performers with locals who turn nasty - alas for the world in me, I wish I could remember its title, or who wrote it but there you go. I am sure you will drop onto it at some point!

[@HorrorBabble]

If you remember the title, let us know!

[@lorenzbroll101]

@@HorrorBabble LOL. Thank you for taking the time to reply - made my day! About 10 years ago, I did download an audio of it from 'somewhere' online (maybe pirate bay, though it was from the 1920/30's bundled up in a collection of short stories, so I could not imagine any legal issues.) The thing was on a laptop that went Kaput, so I lost it. Frustrating. On the positive side, you did' In Amundsen's Tent' by John Martin Leahy which I remembered as a story - but again lost the title of. Now there is a story to that in itself as I would have been about 10 when mother bought it thinking it was an actual real event. Even at that age, I was a 'strong' reader - talk about the nightmares I had for YEARS afterwards To move on, though, you really do some good original stuff yourself. Pity those days of those magazines/pulp is now history as so many clever people wrote for them?

[@michaelkottler]

"Freaks" and Bradbury's novel Something Wicked This Way Comes spring immediately to mind in response to your "weird" circus yarn musings. And although it doesn't quite match the kind of story you've mentioned, another excellent archetypal carnival tale w/strong elements of psychological (and other forms of) horror is "Nightmare Ally", the basis for two feature movies and a fine example of film noir. Perhaps an imperfect choice for a HorrorBabble production but an interesting work nonetheless. In any event, with time I am sure the title will come to you so be sure to post it on remembering.

[@michaelkottler]

@@HorrorBabble There are a number of "freaky" circus and carnival tales which spring immediately to mind from the mega-classic "Freaks" to Bradbury's Something Wicked This Way Comes, which has been adapted for film, television and radio more than once w/varying degrees of success, and many more including off-the-beaten path works like "Nightmare Ally", the entertaining basis for two feature films (the most recent directed by horror and fantasy master Benicio del Toro whose (fun fact) The Shape of Water was the 1st non-U.S. production to win Best Picture at the Academy Awards). As I'm certain HB is already well-familiar with all of these works and more, please excuse my humble redundancy and potentially unworthy suggestions.

[@lorenzbroll101]

@@michaelkottler Thanks for taking the time here. It was an excellent audio story, so I don't think the latter option applies. I will look up the former, though. In this case It was just so 'odd' rather than horrifying, and I can just imagine Ian's voice intoning the yarn as he has a humorous 'edge' to his yarn telling. For example: The Horror in the Burying-Ground By H. P. Lovecraft for Hazel Heald. Read by Ian makes me snigger more than horrified !

[@BaldingClamydia]

Really good message about exploitation there at the end. Thank you for always bringing us the best stories :D

[@ma.carmensarmiento7661]

What an engrossing story! ❤

[@GuardImagination]

If only this could be a book.....or series...Amazing! It's a thin line between the right kind of "not knowing" and wanting more...the human experience🤭

[@banterj]

I enjoyed this one too…a nice break from an old’s man diary or an old man recounting the adventures of his Occultist professor’s adventures…it is not horror and reads like poetry but sheds light on PTSD and I am just glad the author didn’t have him jump off a cliff when he decided to walk home in the end,that would have been TOOOO MUCH!🤭🤷🏽‍♂️🤭

[@HorrorBabble]

And thanks once again! Your support is much appreciated.

[@donaldmccleary9015]

Great story and narration! Any details of this story will result in me divulging spoilers. MAKE SURE YOU LISTEN TO THIS ONE! IT IS SO DARN GOOD! 55:31 - This is how many of we veterans feel when we get home. I know I did.

[@tomcurran8470]

Tom O'Brien's The Things They Carried is a great treatment of warfare.

[@Eris123451]

Not bad at all and a great change of pace; not a tentacle anywhere.

[@cynthiahawkins2389]

This was excellent. And puts one in mind of the silent soldiers in the VA waiting room. Do we civilians really want to KNOW what their experience was like???

[@SirLordMasterSaverKangDrPaulAs]

Nice to hear something more (pardon the pun) down the earth than usual

[@starrywisdom]

That was really good. nuff said.

[@quinwakeman6331]

That was AWESOME!

[@thisisdavid2]

Hurrah more creepy sci fi! (more like this please) 😃

[@trilllllify]

This was a surprisingly touching and prescient story. As much about the horrors of capitalism of as space

[@davidwhite7294]

Absolutely. 👍🤝.

[@codymitchell3017]

Absolute nonsense, but then, everything Socialists say is.

[@abarax_altered1666]

15:06 yeah I know exactly how that feels.

[@geoffreyraleigh1674]

Excellent!

[@SaintPatrick1970]

“Earth is the insane asylum of the universe…” ~ Albert Einstein

[@tilt12345678]

Now, that was a mean little story, captivating from beginning to end, with great suspense building. Who says socio-critical SciFi noir started with "Alien", 1979? Building better worlds! 😁 In my opinion, it also also shows that SciFi is not required to be an accurate prediction in technological detail to remain absolutely relevant. Great choice, great reading, doing the material justice - thank you!

[@malcolmcraven4906]

Great story!

[@ebertwix5860]

The moment he realizes in front of all those people why he cant talk is really powerful. People want to believe the world is good.

[@dartmart9263]

The UN takes years to decide the shape and size of their tables, even back then, so what drug made them think the UN one day would be able to send men into space?

[@mortuarycookiezshane4192]

The stories he tells to the families reminds me of what Marlowe tells Krutz’s fiancée in Heart of Darkness at the end.

[@Eris123451]

Bang on, I nearly made exactly the same comment but I wasn't sure that anyone would get the reference. It reminded me a lot of that as well.

[@mortuarycookiezshane4192]

@@Eris123451 I am honestly surprised any one did! Whenever I mention Heart of Darkness no one seems to know it, but it was required reading in my ap English class in high school.

[@Eris123451]

@@mortuarycookiezshane4192 I read it as an adult because I'd read that Apocalypse Now, (which I love,) was loosely based on it and it certainly lived up to it's reputation and that ending was extraordinary.

[@starmezzo]

That one didn’t do it for me. Gimme Cthulhu! Gimmie ghosts! And graves. 😆

[@SixTough]

Bit of a downer story but an amazingly authentic character. Makes me think of what moves us to take on these grandiose projects, but the author did not elaborate

[@entrepreneursfinest]

I stared into the bleak dark sky with its twinkling embers of hate, and from across that gulf of horror which was no longer mystery to me I saw my own lost soul staring back. It hadn't escaped Mars- not really. The young man that had left earth so many months before would never again return to her....

[@jadele122]

It’s amusing to hear what they thought space travel and Mars would be like.

[@borgstod]

The unfortunate UN astronauts die so people can own more giant TVs on Earth. A bleak view of consumer society and a brilliant tale of one man's traumatic experience in the supposed silver future.

[@alswann2702]

Poor Warren

[@michaelkottler]

Indeed.

[@tonymuir4715]

I can't believe he keeps falling for the same trap...

[@cosmicliminality6403]

What a sad story

[@Bbergster]

I want to go. Worm hole. 😂. Nice timing with this titanic submarine fiasco. What has more pressure? The sea bottom or space?

[@HorrorBabble]

Blimey... Just heard about that.

[@stevepalpatine2828]

The sea bottom. The difference between sea level and space is 1 atmosphere. The difference between sea level and where the Titanic is is 374 atmospheres.

[@jeremypearson6852]

A lot of things are glorified when the truth is far from it.