Long time ago, while running cat5 in a large open ceiling, I stepped off of a large metal beam onto what I thought was the concrete ceiling of an outdoor awning, but was in fact droptile. Fell right through, of course, and landed more-or-less on my back. The floor was that hard institutional carpet.
I don't remember anything about the fall itself. After hitting the floor I immediately got to my feet, realized the breath had been knocked out of me, tried to call my partner's name, then sat back down. I think the pain came shortly after that.
Reminds me of a short story by Alastair Reynolds, "Glacial". In it, scientists are studying these worm-like alien creatures that seem to interact with one another via chemical markers left on the tunnel walls. It is theorized that they're acting as a sort of distributed intelligence, although it's really slow due to the extremely low metabolism.
I remember listening to some NPR segment where a doctor/researcher said the first couple years is like a long acid trip. He was being somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but it resonated with me.
Coming soon to a Costco near you: all-inclusive in vitro fertilization, from egg to Ivy League!
(Note: Ivy League Guarantee is for Costco Executive members only and requires the CRISPY genetic engineering package. While supplies last. In order to redeem the guarantee in case of defect, child must be brought to your nearest Costco Organ Center).
