Comments on: EP062: Union Dues – The Baby and the Bathwater http://escapepod.org/2006/07/13/ep062-union-dues-the-baby-and-the-bathwater/ The Science Fiction Podcast Magazine. Each week Escape Pod delivers science fiction short stories from today's best authors. Listen today, and hear the new sound of science fiction! Tue, 08 May 2012 17:42:01 +0000 hourly 1 By: George http://escapepod.org/2006/07/13/ep062-union-dues-the-baby-and-the-bathwater/comment-page-1/#comment-1924 George Tue, 15 Aug 2006 20:32:34 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=143#comment-1924 The reader sounds like a high-school actor flinging emotion into every word. It's very difficult for me to concentrate on the story -- the voice just grates on me. I wonder how much of this is personal taste? Kudos for the great work. I think this is a fabulous idea. The reader sounds like a high-school actor flinging emotion into every word. It’s very difficult for me to concentrate on the story — the voice just grates on me.

I wonder how much of this is personal taste?

Kudos for the great work. I think this is a fabulous idea.

]]> By: Mitch http://escapepod.org/2006/07/13/ep062-union-dues-the-baby-and-the-bathwater/comment-page-1/#comment-1923 Mitch Sat, 05 Aug 2006 02:08:28 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=143#comment-1923 I'm hooked on the "Union" universe! Good story & reading, though the first (Glass Jaw) is still my favorite. I'd like to hear what became of Megaton. I liked how the passing references in the first are linking up in this one. Also TOTALLY love the "Geek Dad" intros. I have a 2.5yr old boy myself, and he's a geek in training. I like your "walking abduction" theory- and you totaly blew my mind with your "everything is SF at 18 months". This EP's comments left me feeling like Escape Pod is on the edge of explosive growth, and we're here on the leading edge. Keep doing what you're doing - it's working! I’m hooked on the “Union” universe! Good story & reading, though the first (Glass Jaw) is still my favorite. I’d like to hear what became of Megaton. I liked how the passing references in the first are linking up in this one.

Also TOTALLY love the “Geek Dad” intros. I have a 2.5yr old boy myself, and he’s a geek in training. I like your “walking abduction” theory- and you totaly blew my mind with your “everything is SF at 18 months”.

This EP’s comments left me feeling like Escape Pod is on the edge of explosive growth, and we’re here on the leading edge. Keep doing what you’re doing – it’s working!

]]> By: Tim http://escapepod.org/2006/07/13/ep062-union-dues-the-baby-and-the-bathwater/comment-page-1/#comment-1922 Tim Wed, 02 Aug 2006 23:35:56 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=143#comment-1922 I'd love to hear more Union Dues stories but, to be honest, I didn't find this one very interested. I loved the concept behind it but it just seemed it was more about telling us the history of this universe instead of some kick butt action of the first two Union Dues stories I've heard. I liked it but didn't really love it. I’d love to hear more Union Dues stories but, to be honest, I didn’t find this one very interested. I loved the concept behind it but it just seemed it was more about telling us the history of this universe instead of some kick butt action of the first two Union Dues stories I’ve heard. I liked it but didn’t really love it.

]]> By: J. R. DeRego http://escapepod.org/2006/07/13/ep062-union-dues-the-baby-and-the-bathwater/comment-page-1/#comment-1921 J. R. DeRego Wed, 02 Aug 2006 18:46:28 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=143#comment-1921 Timothy, the links to the first two stories are up above just under the lead paragraph. Timothy, the links to the first two stories are up above just under the lead paragraph.

]]> By: TimothyPilgrim http://escapepod.org/2006/07/13/ep062-union-dues-the-baby-and-the-bathwater/comment-page-1/#comment-1920 TimothyPilgrim Wed, 02 Aug 2006 18:01:59 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=143#comment-1920 I too love the Union Dues stories, but I think I must've missed the first one. What EP is that on so I can go back and listen to it? J.R. - I'm not yet a dad, but we've got a 12-week fetus and if it turns out to be as screwed up as the "miracle baby", then I'm glad for this preview! Keep it up, I want more! I too love the Union Dues stories, but I think I must’ve missed the first one. What EP is that on so I can go back and listen to it?

J.R. – I’m not yet a dad, but we’ve got a 12-week fetus and if it turns out to be as screwed up as the “miracle baby”, then I’m glad for this preview!

Keep it up, I want more!

]]> By: Jeremiah http://escapepod.org/2006/07/13/ep062-union-dues-the-baby-and-the-bathwater/comment-page-1/#comment-1919 Jeremiah Fri, 28 Jul 2006 03:50:44 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=143#comment-1919 I really enjoyed the story, especially as a parent. I also have a cat that bites a lot, and I know that if she were bigger, I'd be dead by now. I can relate. I really enjoyed the story, especially as a parent. I also have a cat that bites a lot, and I know that if she were bigger, I’d be dead by now. I can relate.

]]> By: J. R. DeRego http://escapepod.org/2006/07/13/ep062-union-dues-the-baby-and-the-bathwater/comment-page-1/#comment-1918 J. R. DeRego Wed, 26 Jul 2006 13:31:40 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=143#comment-1918 Thans for all the comments folks :) I love writing these stories and it's great to know they are connecting with the audience (i.e. you!). Thans for all the comments folks :)

I love writing these stories and it’s great to know they are connecting with the audience (i.e. you!).

]]> By: Brad P. from NJ http://escapepod.org/2006/07/13/ep062-union-dues-the-baby-and-the-bathwater/comment-page-1/#comment-1917 Brad P. from NJ Mon, 17 Jul 2006 16:22:12 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=143#comment-1917 Awesome story... I love the contrast that he puts in with these stories. Superheros are just so cool, and the comics always make them so big, so untouchable, so not me... Then these stories come in and you get to see what happens between the panels in the comics. Rock on. Sounds like your son's worried about being a gr'up. Just let him know that not everybody gets funky pustules on his face and becomes a child-eating monster of the dark... or disappears... one of those. Awesome story… I love the contrast that he puts in with these stories. Superheros are just so cool, and the comics always make them so big, so untouchable, so not me…

Then these stories come in and you get to see what happens between the panels in the comics. Rock on.

Sounds like your son’s worried about being a gr’up. Just let him know that not everybody gets funky pustules on his face and becomes a child-eating monster of the dark… or disappears… one of those.

]]> By: Colin F http://escapepod.org/2006/07/13/ep062-union-dues-the-baby-and-the-bathwater/comment-page-1/#comment-1916 Colin F Mon, 17 Jul 2006 11:53:26 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=143#comment-1916 Love hearing how your parenting experience compares with our own. My son, who's a couple of months older than yours, also regularly accosts us, demanding that we read him "a booooo!". An intriguing twist on the parenting issue in the story too. A child who could wind up killing you, but how can you bear to give up your own flesh and blood? What an imagination! Love hearing how your parenting experience compares with our own. My son, who’s a couple of months older than yours, also regularly accosts us, demanding that we read him “a booooo!”.

An intriguing twist on the parenting issue in the story too. A child who could wind up killing you, but how can you bear to give up your own flesh and blood? What an imagination!

]]> By: Ricky Buchanan http://escapepod.org/2006/07/13/ep062-union-dues-the-baby-and-the-bathwater/comment-page-1/#comment-1915 Ricky Buchanan Sun, 16 Jul 2006 03:54:01 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=143#comment-1915 These Union Dues stories are great! And a Mur Lafferty fest is never a bad thing - no need to apologise for it :) I totally agree with your walking = disappearance theory being possible... has the daycare place ever taken him to the toddler room to see how he reacts? It would be interesting to watch. I love hearing about your family. R These Union Dues stories are great! And a Mur Lafferty fest is never a bad thing – no need to apologise for it :)

I totally agree with your walking = disappearance theory being possible… has the daycare place ever taken him to the toddler room to see how he reacts? It would be interesting to watch. I love hearing about your family.

R

]]> By: SFEley http://escapepod.org/2006/07/13/ep062-union-dues-the-baby-and-the-bathwater/comment-page-1/#comment-1914 SFEley Fri, 14 Jul 2006 16:31:55 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=143#comment-1914 Hi Spork, I tried sending an e-mail to the address you left in the comments form, but it failed permanently. Please <a href="mailto:editor@escapepod.org" rel="nofollow">e-mail me</a> from an address that works, and I will do my best to work with you to get these issues resolved. In particular I need to know what podcatcher you're using or how you're downloading these files. Hi Spork,

I tried sending an e-mail to the address you left in the comments form, but it failed permanently.

Please e-mail me from an address that works, and I will do my best to work with you to get these issues resolved. In particular I need to know what podcatcher you’re using or how you’re downloading these files.

]]> By: Spork http://escapepod.org/2006/07/13/ep062-union-dues-the-baby-and-the-bathwater/comment-page-1/#comment-1913 Spork Fri, 14 Jul 2006 10:10:00 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=143#comment-1913 The file name's doing it again. redirect_http___escapepod_podlot_com_EP062_BabyAndTheBathwater_mp3.mp3 The file name’s doing it again.
redirect_http___escapepod_podlot_com_EP062_BabyAndTheBathwater_mp3.mp3

]]> By: Jabberwocky http://escapepod.org/2006/07/13/ep062-union-dues-the-baby-and-the-bathwater/comment-page-1/#comment-1912 Jabberwocky Fri, 14 Jul 2006 03:09:35 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=143#comment-1912 Another great story set in a world with Supers. I like how things are going down hill for the Heros, with the normals are getting tired with the way things are done. And I find it interesting how even teh Heros are starting to become disenfranchised by the way the higher up that run the Union. I look forward the the next story. Keep them coming. Another great story set in a world with Supers. I like how things are going down hill for the Heros, with the normals are getting tired with the way things are done. And I find it interesting how even teh Heros are starting to become disenfranchised by the way the higher up that run the Union. I look forward the the next story. Keep them coming.

]]> By: Pete Butler http://escapepod.org/2006/07/13/ep062-union-dues-the-baby-and-the-bathwater/comment-page-1/#comment-1911 Pete Butler Thu, 13 Jul 2006 20:09:12 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=143#comment-1911 Mmm. Not bad, but not quite up to the standard of the other two Union Dues pieces. I thought the narrator was being set-up to fail by both her own superiors and by the author; her approach of chirping "It's in the Charter!" struck me as so dumb and so obviously ineffective it had me grinding my teeth. For me, the really interesting stuff came at the end; I strongly felt her parting shot should have been her opening argument. "How do you expect to discipline a child who can kill you?" To me, THAT was the interesting angle here. (I know it's something Larry Niven has touched on in reference to young Clark Kent, but I don't know if he ever explored the notion in detail.) Screw the legal stuff; that's an afterthought, the option of last resort. I really think the narrator should have been driving to the child's and the parents' best interests right out of the gate. THAT approach might have had some chance of success. And, in my opinion, would have resulted in a much more interesting story. Mmm. Not bad, but not quite up to the standard of the other two Union Dues pieces. I thought the narrator was being set-up to fail by both her own superiors and by the author; her approach of chirping “It’s in the Charter!” struck me as so dumb and so obviously ineffective it had me grinding my teeth.

For me, the really interesting stuff came at the end; I strongly felt her parting shot should have been her opening argument. “How do you expect to discipline a child who can kill you?” To me, THAT was the interesting angle here. (I know it’s something Larry Niven has touched on in reference to young Clark Kent, but I don’t know if he ever explored the notion in detail.) Screw the legal stuff; that’s an afterthought, the option of last resort. I really think the narrator should have been driving to the child’s and the parents’ best interests right out of the gate.

THAT approach might have had some chance of success. And, in my opinion, would have resulted in a much more interesting story.

]]> By: Jim in Buffalo http://escapepod.org/2006/07/13/ep062-union-dues-the-baby-and-the-bathwater/comment-page-1/#comment-1910 Jim in Buffalo Thu, 13 Jul 2006 12:40:19 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=143#comment-1910 Inspired! Another excellent Union Dues story, with the flip-side of the life of a superpowered crimefighter told in a gripping present-tense first-person narrative. I particularly like the idea of a colorful superhero world being encroached upon by dark political reality, a la the "Wild Cards" series of shared-universe anthologies. Inspired!

Another excellent Union Dues story, with the flip-side of the life of a superpowered crimefighter told in a gripping present-tense first-person narrative.

I particularly like the idea of a colorful superhero world being encroached upon by dark political reality, a la the “Wild Cards” series of shared-universe anthologies.

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