1. EachPod

The Trolley Problem. IN SPACE!

Author
Eric and Karalyn
Published
Wed 07 Jun 2023
Episode Link
None

Kare gets mad about, "The Cold Calculations," a short story from the 50's. It was a different time. And there's still no excuse for this fascist bullshit.


Read the story here:
https://www.lightspeedmagazine.com/fiction/the-cold-equations/


Two response stories, we discussed the first one by Don Sakers:
https://sfshortstories.com/?p=795
https://clarkesworldmagazine.com/ogden_12_21/


An incredibly in depth response the common criticisms of The Cold Equations:


https://web.archive.org/web/20131208103213/http://www.richardhartersworld.com/cri_d/cri/1999/coldeq.html


Cory Doctorow's insightful commentary on The Cold Equations:
https://locusmag.com/2014/03/cory-doctorow-cold-equations-and-moral-hazard/ 


These last two links didn't make it into the podcast, but they're fascinating in their own way. In the first one, someone argues that the actual math in The Cold Equations is wrong. The second is a link to a corporate team building seminar you can book where various short stories are discussed. The Cold Equations is a great option if you need to root out the psychopaths on your team.


https://sciencemeetsfiction.com/nonfiction-essays/the-real-problem-with-the-cold-equations/ https://www.booksatwork.org/reading-mindfully-tom-godwins-the-cold-equations/


Miscellaneous Sources:


https://file770.com/essay-a-fresh-look-at-cold-equations/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cold_Equations


Intro music "Chipper" by Tim
Beek (timbeek.com). Outro
music by onemansymphony.


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