Cosmic Striptease

Cosmic Striptease by Harlan Ellison - A picture is worth a thousand words—especially if they're Martian words and nobody can understand them. So Mars put on a spectacular for Earth, using the skies as a TV screen. This proved the superiority of their science. But their morals—Wow!

Harlan Ellison (1934–2018) was an American writer known for his bold, uncompromising storytelling in science fiction, fantasy, and speculative fiction. Born on May 27, 1934, in Cleveland, Ohio, he was a prolific author, editor, and outspoken critic who shaped modern speculative fiction with his sharp prose and provocative ideas.

Ellison’s most famous works include:

“‘Repent, Harlequin!’ Said the Ticktockman” (1965) – A satirical dystopian tale about resistance against authoritarian control.

“I Have No Mouth, and I Must Scream” (1967) – A chilling story about a sadistic AI that tortures the last remnants of humanity.

Writing The City on the Edge of Forever – The award-winning Star Trek episode often considered the series’ best.

Ellison won multiple Hugo, Nebula, and Edgar Awards and was known for his fierce defense of writers’ rights.