# 432: Robot Bechdel Test

- Show: [Embedded.fm](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm)
- Published: 2022-10-27
- Length: 1h 08m
- Episode: 432
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-10-27-432-robot-bechdel-test
- Listen: https://embedded.fm/episodes/432

## Summary

Science fiction author Martha Wells discusses her award-winning Murderbot Diaries series, explaining how a SecUnit construct hacks its governor module to secretly watch TV dramas while performing security jobs. She details the creation of her fantasy Books of the Raksura, which features non-human species and biological technology, and shares insights into her 'pantsing' writing style and the challenges of maintaining continuity without outlines. Wells also touches on her experience writing tie-in novels for Star Wars and Stargate Atlantis, and the importance of cover art in setting reader expectations.

## Chapters

- [0:06](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-10-27-432-robot-bechdel-test#t=6) Introduction and Lightning Round
- [3:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-10-27-432-robot-bechdel-test#t=183) The Premise of Murderbot and SecUnits
- [8:57](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-10-27-432-robot-bechdel-test#t=537) Writing Style, Novella Length, and Tor.com
- [10:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-10-27-432-robot-bechdel-test#t=652) First-Person Perspective and World Building
- [24:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-10-27-432-robot-bechdel-test#t=1476) The Books of the Raksura and Alien Worlds
- [34:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-10-27-432-robot-bechdel-test#t=2095) Writing Tie-Ins: Star Wars and Stargate
- [42:33](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-10-27-432-robot-bechdel-test#t=2553) Cover Art and Publishing Process
- [50:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-10-27-432-robot-bechdel-test#t=3049) Plotting, Continuity, and Character Deaths

## Topics

- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Murderbot Diaries (product)
- Books of the Raksura (product)
- Tor.com (company)
- Subterranean Press (company)
- Star Wars (product)
- Stargate Atlantis (product)
- Jamie Jones (other)
- Tommy Arnold (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [The Wild Robot: Where Nature Meets Technology with Peter Brown](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-robot-report-podcast/2024-12-03-the-wild-robot-where-nature-meets-technology-with-peter-brown) (The Robot Report Podcast)
- [Episode 78: Connecting science fiction and fact - Stephen Oram](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2024-03-22-episode-78-connecting-science-fiction-and-fact-stephen-oram) (Robot Talk)
- [Episode Fifty-Four: Robot Talk Live - Robotics and Science Fiction](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/robot-talk/2023-06-23-episode-fifty-four-robot-talk-live-robotics-and-science-fiction) (Robot Talk)
- [060 - The Brie List](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/unnamed-reverse-engineering-podcast/2022-08-13-060-the-brie-list) (Unnamed Reverse Engineering Podcast)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2022-10-27-432-robot-bechdel-test. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Embedded.fm.