Comments on: EP178: Unlikely http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/ 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! Thu, 09 Feb 2012 22:04:17 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=2976 By: Number_6 http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-2/#comment-13448 Number_6 Thu, 05 Aug 2010 01:30:23 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-13448 I didn't want to like this story because of the small amount of bile that comes up in the back of my throat around the kind of hippy-drippy "trust the universe" theme of the story. The characters caught me though. I can identify with the man in the story, so despite my reservations, I like this story a lot. I didn’t want to like this story because of the small amount of bile that comes up in the back of my throat around the kind of hippy-drippy “trust the universe” theme of the story. The characters caught me though. I can identify with the man in the story, so despite my reservations, I like this story a lot.

]]> By: KDH http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-11774 KDH Wed, 28 Jan 2009 19:15:42 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-11774 <p>Add "loved" between "I" and "everything".</p> Add “loved” between “I” and “everything”.

]]> By: KDH http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-11773 KDH Wed, 28 Jan 2009 17:47:30 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-11773 <p>I everything about this episode. The introduction, the story, the closing remarks and quotation, and Mandelbrot Set. Fantastic!</p> I everything about this episode. The introduction, the story, the closing remarks and quotation, and Mandelbrot Set. Fantastic!

]]> By: The Fix | From the Podosphere: October 2008 http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-11372 The Fix | From the Podosphere: October 2008 Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:17:08 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-11372 <p>[...] Escape Pod begins with Will McIntosh’s “Unlikely” in which the logical fallacy post hoc, ergo propter hoc—“after this, therefore because [...]</p> [...] Escape Pod begins with Will McIntosh’s “Unlikely” in which the logical fallacy post hoc, ergo propter hoc—“after this, therefore because [...]

]]> By: jennyM http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-11244 jennyM Tue, 11 Nov 2008 12:29:33 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-11244 <p>For me, this story has two compelling elements: great characters - always the most important part of a story - and an original idea. Also, importantly, the idea is intertwined with the characters' journey, not separate to it, as can often happen with SF stories. So, even if the idea itself is rather flimsy when looked at too closely, it doesn't matter because it is there primarily as a catalyst for the central relationship.</p> <p>On the strength of this story and his previous one on Escape Pod - the marvellous 'Friction' - Will McIntosh has that rare gift in a writer, which is to be able to get inside the skin of his characters so you cannot help but care about them. And because he's so good at doing this, he never resorts to colour-by-numbers characteristics. Often in this story, the characters surprise you, or do things that a lesser writer wouldn't have thought of. The result is that you root for both of them, despite their differences.</p> <p>Yes, it's a sweet story but there's nothing wrong with that when it's married to intelligence rather than romantic slop.</p> For me, this story has two compelling elements: great characters – always the most important part of a story – and an original idea. Also, importantly, the idea is intertwined with the characters’ journey, not separate to it, as can often happen with SF stories. So, even if the idea itself is rather flimsy when looked at too closely, it doesn’t matter because it is there primarily as a catalyst for the central relationship.

On the strength of this story and his previous one on Escape Pod – the marvellous ‘Friction’ – Will McIntosh has that rare gift in a writer, which is to be able to get inside the skin of his characters so you cannot help but care about them. And because he’s so good at doing this, he never resorts to colour-by-numbers characteristics. Often in this story, the characters surprise you, or do things that a lesser writer wouldn’t have thought of. The result is that you root for both of them, despite their differences.

Yes, it’s a sweet story but there’s nothing wrong with that when it’s married to intelligence rather than romantic slop.

]]> By: Calculating... http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-11178 Calculating... Wed, 05 Nov 2008 06:09:52 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-11178 <p>i know its late, but i always like to comment</p> <p>i don't think this belongs on escapepod, maybe on podcastle, but not escapepod</p> <p>other than that, i really enjoyed listening to it, but the story really had no where to go. it was just a fun way to spend a half hour listening in on someone else's life</p> i know its late, but i always like to comment

i don’t think this belongs on escapepod, maybe on podcastle, but not escapepod

other than that, i really enjoyed listening to it, but the story really had no where to go. it was just a fun way to spend a half hour listening in on someone else’s life

]]> By: Azure http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-11107 Azure Wed, 29 Oct 2008 05:48:29 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-11107 <p>I liked where this story was going, but I wanted more from it. I wanted something I could sink my (baby) teeth into. It felt too fluffy.</p> I liked where this story was going, but I wanted more from it. I wanted something I could sink my (baby) teeth into. It felt too fluffy.

]]> By: Fall Sunday Stats (on Monday!) #4: John McCain, You’re No TR « The Unfocused Life http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-11103 Fall Sunday Stats (on Monday!) #4: John McCain, You’re No TR « The Unfocused Life Tue, 28 Oct 2008 03:02:32 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-11103 <p>[...] on my iPod during my run: Pheddipidations # 158 (”Running the Bay State Marathon”) and Escapepod # 178 (”Unlikely”).  Escapepod, if you’re unfamiliar with it, is a free science [...]</p> [...] on my iPod during my run: Pheddipidations # 158 (”Running the Bay State Marathon”) and Escapepod # 178 (”Unlikely”).  Escapepod, if you’re unfamiliar with it, is a free science [...]

]]> By: SF Fangirl http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-11088 SF Fangirl Sun, 26 Oct 2008 23:14:56 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-11088 <p>Meh, again. I found this to be more fantasy than sci fi and as a general rule I don't like fantasy. I didn't like this fantasy. I'm a girl and I like romance, but I thought this romance was not well done. There was no chemistry between the characters. Like Samual, I felt like their romance was being forced on them and me. I didn't buy it at all.</p> Meh, again. I found this to be more fantasy than sci fi and as a general rule I don’t like fantasy. I didn’t like this fantasy. I’m a girl and I like romance, but I thought this romance was not well done. There was no chemistry between the characters. Like Samual, I felt like their romance was being forced on them and me. I didn’t buy it at all.

]]> By: Lucianno http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-11082 Lucianno Sun, 26 Oct 2008 18:07:58 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-11082 <p>I liked it. Yes, maybe the ending is a little sappy, but it has a neat premise, and overall, the execution is well-done.</p> I liked it. Yes, maybe the ending is a little sappy, but it has a neat premise, and overall, the execution is well-done.

]]> By: madjo http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-11050 madjo Wed, 22 Oct 2008 14:38:23 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-11050 <p>This is one of a few EscapePod stories that I've listened to at least 3 times. I loved it. Can't really put to words why though. While some might not consider it as science fiction, it's also not fantasy (though the story was rather fantastic) nor horror. (though losing ones gallbladder seems pretty horrific to me)</p> <p>It really is an interesting idea to data mine life to look for correlation between events. If only it were real... :)</p> This is one of a few EscapePod stories that I’ve listened to at least 3 times.
I loved it. Can’t really put to words why though.
While some might not consider it as science fiction, it’s also not fantasy (though the story was rather fantastic) nor horror. (though losing ones gallbladder seems pretty horrific to me)

It really is an interesting idea to data mine life to look for correlation between events. If only it were real… :)

]]> By: fractal http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-11042 fractal Wed, 22 Oct 2008 03:16:12 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-11042 <p>Wow. This story really floored me. It was reminiscent of an Asimov story I once read and loved (All the Problems of the World) that concerned data-mining in a similar way. The sheer plausibility of something like this being developed by a government is unnerving, especially in this age of RFID and ever more ubiquitous wiretapping. Great choice, Steve.</p> Wow. This story really floored me. It was reminiscent of an Asimov story I once read and loved (All the Problems of the World) that concerned data-mining in a similar way. The sheer plausibility of something like this being developed by a government is unnerving, especially in this age of RFID and ever more ubiquitous wiretapping. Great choice, Steve.

]]> By: Chortle http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10988 Chortle Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:15:27 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10988 <p>I liked the story but could not stop thinking about freakanomics when I was listening to it.</p> I liked the story but could not stop thinking about
freakanomics when I was listening to it.

]]> By: Dave (aka Nev the Deranged) http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10983 Dave (aka Nev the Deranged) Sun, 19 Oct 2008 01:58:07 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10983 <p>Amusing, but jebus crow, can't the cynics win once in a while? I mean, really. I liked the story well enough, but I had to clean the sap out of my ears afterward.</p> <p>As light scifi (yes, it is, criminy, shut up about it already!) romances go, this was not bad, but nowhere near as good as the movie store one from way back.</p> <p>Also, as my friend who listened to this one before me said; so, what happens when they find out they're causing earthquakes somewhere with all the tugging on the patterns?</p> Amusing, but jebus crow, can’t the cynics win once in a while? I mean, really. I liked the story well enough, but I had to clean the sap out of my ears afterward.

As light scifi (yes, it is, criminy, shut up about it already!) romances go, this was not bad, but nowhere near as good as the movie store one from way back.

Also, as my friend who listened to this one before me said; so, what happens when they find out they’re causing earthquakes somewhere with all the tugging on the patterns?

]]> By: Blaine Boy http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10970 Blaine Boy Sat, 18 Oct 2008 07:50:10 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10970 <p>I like how scatterbrain described this as science fiction. And of course Brave Space Monkey hitting the infinite oxymoronic loophole <em>cough</em> causing the fabric of space and time to rip apart when the unsaid becomes said <em>cough</em> (That would probably make for a great story). Anyways... the story raises an interesting question of fate, fated love, love, etc and I'll just let the philosophy buffs got to work here. Now here comes the your daily dose of teenage cynicism (it is actually recommended by doctors that you get a daily dose of irony, sarcasm, and cynicism...parents, that is why there are teenagers, we keep you healthy and sane). I, too, thought it was obnoxiously sappy that the guy falls for the girl. But I did feel a kind of connection with Sammy's predicament because, unfortunately, I am much the same way. I am a very passive person, but I hate it when things are forced on me. and just the way I am, sometimes I can't accept things for what they are without knowing how it happened. It's all very complicated and I'm sure I could fill pages with all this bull-crap which should actually be going to a therapist...anyways back to the story. It reminded me a lot of Mike Resnick's story Distant Replay with the idea of destiny, love, and those people who are "meant to be with each other." Nice story, though, none the less. Still having fun fitting in for once. :P Yours faithfully, The Blaine Boy</p> I like how scatterbrain described this as science fiction. And of course Brave Space Monkey hitting the infinite oxymoronic loophole cough causing the fabric of space and time to rip apart when the unsaid becomes said cough (That would probably make for a great story). Anyways… the story raises an interesting question of fate, fated love, love, etc and I’ll just let the philosophy buffs got to work here.
Now here comes the your daily dose of teenage cynicism (it is actually recommended by doctors that you get a daily dose of irony, sarcasm, and cynicism…parents, that is why there are teenagers, we keep you healthy and sane). I, too, thought it was obnoxiously sappy that the guy falls for the girl. But I did feel a kind of connection with Sammy’s predicament because, unfortunately, I am much the same way. I am a very passive person, but I hate it when things are forced on me. and just the way I am, sometimes I can’t accept things for what they are without knowing how it happened. It’s all very complicated and I’m sure I could fill pages with all this bull-crap which should actually be going to a therapist…anyways back to the story.
It reminded me a lot of Mike Resnick’s story Distant Replay with the idea of destiny, love, and those people who are “meant to be with each other.”
Nice story, though, none the less. Still having fun fitting in for once. :P
Yours faithfully,
The Blaine Boy

]]> By: Jennifer http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10945 Jennifer Thu, 16 Oct 2008 15:40:14 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10945 <p>I'm not sure what to make of it, but the "inexplicable this happens and we don't know why" is reminding me of a story I'm having trouble writing.</p> <p>I think I'm a bit like Samuel in that I would also be resistant to "I <em>have</em> to hook up with this girl?" I dunno if I was that into Tuesday (and I am a hippie sort), but maybe I just didn't really see the chemistry going on here either.</p> I’m not sure what to make of it, but the “inexplicable this happens and we don’t know why” is reminding me of a story I’m having trouble writing.

I think I’m a bit like Samuel in that I would also be resistant to “I have to hook up with this girl?” I dunno if I was that into Tuesday (and I am a hippie sort), but maybe I just didn’t really see the chemistry going on here either.

]]> By: J English http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10913 J English Wed, 15 Oct 2008 16:26:03 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10913 <p>Good story. I was enjoying the song too, until they got the math wrong. And being French, I'm pretty sure he pronounces his name "man-del-bro"</p> Good story. I was enjoying the song too, until they got the math wrong. And being French, I’m pretty sure he pronounces his name “man-del-bro”

]]> By: Steph http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10907 Steph Wed, 15 Oct 2008 01:20:42 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10907 <p>Really enjoyed this one. Regardless of what genre it is (I really don't care), it's a great story. I'm glad it had a happy ending.</p> Really enjoyed this one. Regardless of what genre it is (I really don’t care), it’s a great story. I’m glad it had a happy ending.

]]> By: Bob http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10904 Bob Tue, 14 Oct 2008 23:35:15 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10904 <p>I have to say I really like Will's stories, mostly because the storyline is something I would never have thought of. Granted, this story never addressed the cause-and-effect analysis. It's one thing to see a correlation, quite another for it to indicate anything useful. But it is a short story, not a novel, and the concept of finding correlations from the hoards of data being collected on people, and actually used for something useful, is interesting.</p> I have to say I really like Will’s stories, mostly because the storyline is something I would never have thought of. Granted, this story never addressed the cause-and-effect analysis. It’s one thing to see a correlation, quite another for it to indicate anything useful. But it is a short story, not a novel, and the concept of finding correlations from the hoards of data being collected on people, and actually used for something useful, is interesting.

]]> By: Slye http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10895 Slye Tue, 14 Oct 2008 01:07:05 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10895 <p>Oh.. and I wonder if the statistician in this story helped inspire Hari Seldon to develop his Psychohistory... It sounds like the kind of leaps that need to be made to make that happen.</p> Oh.. and I wonder if the statistician in this story helped inspire Hari Seldon to develop his Psychohistory… It sounds like the kind of leaps that need to be made to make that happen.

]]> By: Slye http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10894 Slye Tue, 14 Oct 2008 01:04:02 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10894 <p>I've noticed an odd statistic, The amount of times I've gotten into an accicdent while listening to Escape Pod in my car is significantly less than while not listening to Escape Pod. I suggest everyone listen to Escape Pod while driving! No more accidents!!!</p> <p>oh, and the story was pretty good to.</p> I’ve noticed an odd statistic, The amount of times I’ve gotten into an accicdent while listening to Escape Pod in my car is significantly less than while not listening to Escape Pod. I suggest everyone listen to Escape Pod while driving! No more accidents!!!

oh, and the story was pretty good to.

]]> By: salishsilver http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10892 salishsilver Mon, 13 Oct 2008 21:57:13 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10892 <p>If you added chaos theory to the statistics and weave the thread through human lives, the math and story make perfect sense to me. I just went to a science conference on global climate change, and the math they were trying to use there wasn't half as elaborate or detailed as this story eludes to. The real kicker is that the mathematicians looking at the subject are currently saying they can't make the models complex enough to make accurate predictions. To me that makes this story a reflection of better times to come.</p> If you added chaos theory to the statistics and weave the thread through human lives, the math and story make perfect sense to me. I just went to a science conference on global climate change, and the math they were trying to use there wasn’t half as elaborate or detailed as this story eludes to. The real kicker is that the mathematicians looking at the subject are currently saying they can’t make the models complex enough to make accurate predictions. To me that makes this story a reflection of better times to come.

]]> By: Lazarou Monkey Terror http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10879 Lazarou Monkey Terror Sun, 12 Oct 2008 11:39:08 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10879 <p>Skippy, the official term for that sort of stock character is the "Manic Pixie Girl" as championed on The Onion AV Club. Now have fun picking out all the Manic Pixie Girls in cinema ;)</p> Skippy, the official term for that sort of stock character is the “Manic Pixie Girl” as championed on The Onion AV Club.
Now have fun picking out all the Manic Pixie Girls in cinema ;)

]]> By: Derek "skippy" Dadey http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10876 Derek "skippy" Dadey Sat, 11 Oct 2008 22:53:42 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10876 <p>This may just be a personal bias but I loathe the cliche of "rational straight-laced boy meets free spirit girl", where all the guy needs to be happy is to stop thinking so rationally and "let go". Uggh, why is a rational life always assumed to be less enjoyable or "magical" than a life based on fantasy</p> This may just be a personal bias but I loathe the cliche of “rational straight-laced boy meets free spirit girl”, where all the guy needs to be happy is to stop thinking so rationally and “let go”. Uggh, why is a rational life always assumed to be less enjoyable or “magical” than a life based on fantasy

]]> By: ExiledinSeattle http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10873 ExiledinSeattle Sat, 11 Oct 2008 05:31:38 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10873 <p>Interestingly, when the inexplicable is brought in close proximity with Escape Pod there is an increased incidence of comments questioning whether its validity as scifi...</p> Interestingly, when the inexplicable is brought in close proximity with Escape Pod there is an increased incidence of comments questioning whether its validity as scifi…

]]> By: Brave Space Monkey http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10871 Brave Space Monkey Sat, 11 Oct 2008 01:04:01 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10871 <p>would be funny...</p> would be funny…

]]> By: Brave Space Monkey http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10870 Brave Space Monkey Sat, 11 Oct 2008 01:02:17 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10870 <p>DrCrisp</p> <p>Than I lose the redundancy of it all...</p> <p>My original comment was a long looping comment that filled a lot of space but didn't say anything entertaining (like the story). I decided not to post it and wrote something quickly I hoped funny.</p> DrCrisp

Than I lose the redundancy of it all…

My original comment was a long looping comment that filled a lot of space but didn’t say anything entertaining (like the story). I decided not to post it and wrote something quickly I hoped funny.

]]> By: DogFog http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10869 DogFog Fri, 10 Oct 2008 21:39:24 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10869 <p>This was such a sweet little story, quite a nice surprise.</p> <p>And it's definitely science fiction. Massive data crunching is quickly becoming a bigger scientific tool these days, even when causes are not entirely understood.</p> This was such a sweet little story, quite a nice surprise.

And it’s definitely science fiction. Massive data crunching is quickly becoming a bigger scientific tool these days, even when causes are not entirely understood.

]]> By: Ben the Space Pirate http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10868 Ben the Space Pirate Fri, 10 Oct 2008 16:02:38 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10868 <p>Sci-fi or not, I loved it. As Steve says Will McIntosh stories always seem to come at the right time.</p> Sci-fi or not, I loved it. As Steve says Will McIntosh stories always seem to come at the right time.

]]> By: DrCrisp http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10861 DrCrisp Fri, 10 Oct 2008 00:16:34 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10861 <p>Brave Space Monkey: This is not a comment.</p> Brave Space Monkey: This is not a comment.

]]> By: Lazarou Monkey Terror http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10855 Lazarou Monkey Terror Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:58:17 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10855 <p>Awwww, made me all romantic it did. I liked the absurd nature of the bicycling grandads (which sounds like a surfer band!)</p> Awwww, made me all romantic it did. I liked the absurd nature of the bicycling grandads (which sounds like a surfer band!)

]]> By: Brave Space Monkey http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10853 Brave Space Monkey Thu, 09 Oct 2008 20:32:14 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10853 <p>I'm really not impressed enough with this story to leave a comment other than to leaving a comment that says "I'm not impressed enough to leave a comment."</p> I’m really not impressed enough with this story to leave a comment other than to leaving a comment that says “I’m not impressed enough to leave a comment.”

]]> By: Ventzi Zhechev http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10852 Ventzi Zhechev Thu, 09 Oct 2008 17:06:44 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10852 <p>For me (working on statistical methods for natural language processing and mainly machine translation) the story just painfully points out the pointlessness of some of the research done today. There’s enormous amount of money being spent on the tweaking of the parameters of statistical models without the tiniest bit of understanding of why this or that modification helps. I really wish people would think more about why and how things happen, rather than how often and in connection with what other things do they happen…</p> For me (working on statistical methods for natural language processing and mainly machine translation) the story just painfully points out the pointlessness of some of the research done today. There’s enormous amount of money being spent on the tweaking of the parameters of statistical models without the tiniest bit of understanding of why this or that modification helps. I really wish people would think more about why and how things happen, rather than how often and in connection with what other things do they happen…

]]> By: Patrick a.k.a. Samual http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10851 Patrick a.k.a. Samual Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:20:22 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10851 <p>Tyson: Great point. The romance could have been left out. But when Tuesday said her husband had been an older man, well, after that, it couldn't end any other way, could it? I mean, it's impossible for someone to be really satisfied with living alone...</p> Tyson: Great point. The romance could have been left out. But when Tuesday said her husband had been an older man, well, after that, it couldn’t end any other way, could it? I mean, it’s impossible for someone to be really satisfied with living alone…

]]> By: Patrick a.k.a. Samual http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10850 Patrick a.k.a. Samual Thu, 09 Oct 2008 13:17:48 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10850 <p>Great story. I agree that it's a fantasy story, with the conceit that all the random data-mining favored by, for example, astrologers ("libras are safe drivers") turns out to be true. As a real-life Samuel, I was expecting him to be proven an idiot, but the semi-conversion at the end was handled gracefully. I liked the story a lot, and it's a great tool to show those data-miners: "Okay, if libras are safe drivers, then if only libras are allowed to drive, accidents per capita should go down. Let's try it."</p> Great story. I agree that it’s a fantasy story, with the conceit that all the random data-mining favored by, for example, astrologers (“libras are safe drivers”) turns out to be true. As a real-life Samuel, I was expecting him to be proven an idiot, but the semi-conversion at the end was handled gracefully. I liked the story a lot, and it’s a great tool to show those data-miners: “Okay, if libras are safe drivers, then if only libras are allowed to drive, accidents per capita should go down. Let’s try it.”

]]> By: IanisIan http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10849 IanisIan Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:23:23 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10849 <p>is the correlation about elderly bicyclists and crime true? (not asking about causation) or did the author make it up. my aunt is full of facts like this.</p> is the correlation about elderly bicyclists and crime true? (not asking about causation) or did the author make it up. my aunt is full of facts like this.

]]> By: Tyson of the NW http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10846 Tyson of the NW Tue, 07 Oct 2008 22:03:42 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10846 <p>I thought this fit into a more traditional SciFi, like some of the early Bradbury or Asimov, more of a "Science as mysterious force". On the whole I enjoyed the piece.</p> <p>I disliked how one minute Tuesday was rebuking Samuel for making assumptions and then being snippy about him not making those same assumptions the next. It seemed like the two characters were heading down the path of best friends or life partners like Jay and Silent Bob, or Stadler and Waldorf. But because of their gender the story must end up with the two of them romantically connected. Not for any particular twist or purpose, but that was just how the story was expected to end.</p> I thought this fit into a more traditional SciFi, like some of the early Bradbury or Asimov, more of a “Science as mysterious force”. On the whole I enjoyed the piece.

I disliked how one minute Tuesday was rebuking Samuel for making assumptions and then being snippy about him not making those same assumptions the next. It seemed like the two characters were heading down the path of best friends or life partners like Jay and Silent Bob, or Stadler and Waldorf. But because of their gender the story must end up with the two of them romantically connected. Not for any particular twist or purpose, but that was just how the story was expected to end.

]]> By: Technobabble http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10843 Technobabble Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:47:29 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10843 <p>I lived in Savannah for years and listening to this story took me back. It was almost like I was right there with the characters. Great story!</p> I lived in Savannah for years and listening to this story took me back. It was almost like I was right there with the characters. Great story!

]]> By: Raving_Lunatic http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10842 Raving_Lunatic Tue, 07 Oct 2008 15:26:00 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10842 <p>I've got to say, the best book concerning data mining I've ever read was MT anderson's feed. It is a "young adult" story but it's got some pretty complex themes. Basically it's the old internet "chip in head" world with huge evil corporations (which have replaced the government) thrown in. You buy things on the "feed" and they create a profile about you using data mining. There's one non-conformist girl who the protagonist falls in love with, but when her feed malfunctions the corporations let her die because she wasn't a good investment- they didn't think she was likely to buy enough products if she lived to make it worthwhile for them to cure her, so they didn't. As for this story, I liked it a lot because of all the philosophy. When I wrote stories, they were so thick with my own personal philosophy that they didn't really have much of a plot. Or characters. Or dialouge. But they always had a good title!</p> I’ve got to say, the best book concerning data mining I’ve ever read was MT anderson’s feed.
It is a “young adult” story but it’s got some pretty complex themes. Basically it’s the old internet “chip in head” world with huge evil corporations (which have replaced the government) thrown in. You buy things on the “feed” and they create a profile about you using data mining. There’s one non-conformist girl who the protagonist falls in love with, but when her feed malfunctions the corporations let her die because she wasn’t a good investment- they didn’t think she was likely to buy enough products if she lived to make it worthwhile for them to cure her, so they didn’t.
As for this story, I liked it a lot because of all the philosophy. When I wrote stories, they were so thick with my own personal philosophy that they didn’t really have much of a plot. Or characters. Or dialouge.
But they always had a good title!

]]> By: Norvaljoe http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10840 Norvaljoe Tue, 07 Oct 2008 14:57:57 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10840 <p>Did anyone else hear him say, "the pink sweater soiling his dashboard"?</p> <p>I thought it was her feet up on the dashboard.</p> <p></p> Did anyone else hear him say, “the pink sweater soiling his dashboard”?

I thought it was her feet up on the dashboard.

]]> By: DrCrisp http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10830 DrCrisp Tue, 07 Oct 2008 01:32:32 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10830 <p>Let x be the function of Science Fiction. As x goes from 0 to Escape Pod, the value of x approaches true.</p> Let x be the function of Science Fiction. As x goes from 0 to Escape Pod, the value of x approaches true.

]]> By: scatterbrain http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10829 scatterbrain Mon, 06 Oct 2008 23:27:10 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10829 <p>I feel in essence it is more science fictional than fantastical because it deals with what I like to call 'quantum balance':the universal laws of how order is kept.</p> <p>McIntosh carries his philosophical flare into this story like he did Friction, which I was glad for because I still regard Friction as one of best of the genre I've ever read. I hope we see more of him...</p> I feel in essence it is more science fictional than fantastical because it deals with what I like to call ‘quantum balance’:the universal laws of how order is kept.

McIntosh carries his philosophical flare into this story like he did Friction, which I was glad for because I still regard Friction as one of best of the genre I’ve ever read. I hope we see more of him…

]]> By: George http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10828 George Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:08:43 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10828 <p>Will McIntosh weaves data mining and romance in a story I think Asimov would have been proud to author. As for if this is SF, the SF component is in the speculation. Who's to say that these patterns do not exist today, undiscovered and unobserved? I think it'd be a great way to perfect various types of surveillance technology, and maybe that's why projects like this might never take place. I enjoyed it thoroughly!</p> Will McIntosh weaves data mining and romance in a story I think Asimov would have been proud to author. As for if this is SF, the SF component is in the speculation. Who’s to say that these patterns do not exist today, undiscovered and unobserved? I think it’d be a great way to perfect various types of surveillance technology, and maybe that’s why projects like this might never take place. I enjoyed it thoroughly!

]]> By: Old Man Parker http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10827 Old Man Parker Mon, 06 Oct 2008 21:21:43 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10827 <p>I don't know. I have the feeling the goverment was making up the numbers just so they could control the behavior of the people. The story was well written, but a tad sappy. I couldn't get past a slight feeling of dislike for the "girl" and her new age mind set. I think the story was too short to fully develop the love.</p> I don’t know. I have the feeling the goverment was making up the numbers just so they could control the behavior of the people. The story was well written, but a tad sappy. I couldn’t get past a slight feeling of dislike for the “girl” and her new age mind set. I think the story was too short to fully develop the love.

]]> By: Me http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10825 Me Mon, 06 Oct 2008 20:13:51 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10825 <p>Not that I want to have a comments-argument but what was the sci fi element?</p> Not that I want to have a comments-argument but what was the sci fi element?

]]> By: CM http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10824 CM Mon, 06 Oct 2008 19:36:59 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10824 <p>Yay! I loved it :)</p> <p>I was so expecting one or the other to die... I'm glad they didn't.</p> Yay! I loved it :)

I was so expecting one or the other to die… I’m glad they didn’t.

]]> By: norm http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10823 norm Mon, 06 Oct 2008 17:18:14 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10823 <p>I'd disagree. To me this is science fiction. It may be slight, but the element ties the piece together. The characters wouldn't have met without the statistics of safety. The statistics may be a bit of a leap, but fantasy would be a less anchored in reality imo.</p> <p>Anyway, I liked the story. Well written, held my interest.</p> I’d disagree. To me this is science fiction. It may be slight, but the element ties the piece together. The characters wouldn’t have met without the statistics of safety. The statistics may be a bit of a leap, but fantasy would be a less anchored in reality imo.

Anyway, I liked the story. Well written, held my interest.

]]> By: Me http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10806 Me Sun, 05 Oct 2008 22:25:15 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10806 <p>I agree with Randomtime, I liked the story but it wasn't "Science Fiction".</p> <p>It had a level of unreality about it, for sure, but this wasn't from some technological or 'other wordly' cause, it was described as being just the way life/the world/the universe is.</p> <p>And the method used to discover these underlying patters (and so the underlying forces at work in our lives) was scientific in the sense that it used mathematics. But that would like saying if you used a torch to find a dragon it would make it a science fiction story about dragons.</p> <p>Still a good story, like I said.</p> I agree with Randomtime, I liked the story but it wasn’t “Science Fiction”.

It had a level of unreality about it, for sure, but this wasn’t from some technological or ‘other wordly’ cause, it was described as being just the way life/the world/the universe is.

And the method used to discover these underlying patters (and so the underlying forces at work in our lives) was scientific in the sense that it used mathematics. But that would like saying if you used a torch to find a dragon it would make it a science fiction story about dragons.

Still a good story, like I said.

]]> By: phignewton http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10803 phignewton Sun, 05 Oct 2008 17:50:19 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10803 <p>soooo, is human life based on destiny or is it just random stuff squeezed into a workable narrative by our individual conciousness? I get the feeling this story was written to sorta poke at that basic conflict in teh human psyche... you gonna need a much sharper or longer stick to get at the interesting bits inside though.</p> soooo, is human life based on destiny or is it just random stuff squeezed into a workable narrative by our individual conciousness? I get the feeling this story was written to sorta poke at that basic conflict in teh human psyche… you gonna need a much sharper or longer stick to get at the interesting bits inside though.

]]> By: Randomtime http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10791 Randomtime Sun, 05 Oct 2008 10:50:22 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10791 <p>Good story, but not relay Science fiction, more Fantasy</p> Good story, but not relay Science fiction, more Fantasy

]]> By: Zathras http://escapepod.org/2008/10/05/ep178-unlikely/comment-page-1/#comment-10788 Zathras Sun, 05 Oct 2008 09:37:53 +0000 http://escapepod.org/?p=314#comment-10788 <p>Boy meets girl. Boy causes girl to lose gall bladder. Boy wears girls tooth.</p> Boy meets girl.
Boy causes girl to lose gall bladder.
Boy wears girls tooth.

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