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
• Clifford D. Simak's abandoned machine-world in Limiting Factor (1949)
• many Dyson Spheres