““People fear stone,” Usha said, “because it contains never-life.”
“Non-life? You mean, death?”
“Nonsense,” she repeated vehemently. “What’s to fear about death? Death is natural. Stone is never-life.”
Spinel took another tack. “If they fear it, then how come enough Sharers want it so the traders stock shelves full?”
“How should I know? Why do Valans drink the toxic waste product of sugar-eating yeast?””

— Joan Slonczewski, book A Door into Ocean

Part 2, Chapter 7 (p. 95)
A Door into Ocean (1986)

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Joan Slonczewski15

American writer 1956

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