Maurice Baudin
Hystereo
"Hystereo" by Maurice Baudin is a science fiction short story published in the early 1960s. The narrative focuses on Woodard, a reclusive man who finds himself in a peculiar situation involving a hi-fi enthusiast named Nodus and his unsettling sound apparatus. The story explores themes of technology, isolation, and the often absurd extremes of human behavior within mundane settings. In "Hystereo," Woodard reluctantly attends a hi-fi concert hosted by the eccentric Nodus, who has converted a garage into an elaborate sound studio. As the evening progresses, Woodard is subjected to a series of bizarre and overwhelming sound effects, meant to highlight the extremes of sound reproduction. Each demonstration becomes increasingly unsettling, leading him to feel trapped and anxious. The story escalates as Woodard's discomfort grows, eventually culminating in his mental collapse amid Nodus's obsession with sound. The narrative serves as a critique of technological obsession and social alienation, leaving readers to ponder the human experience in a rapidly evolving world.