Drabblecast 224 - Doubleheader X

[StalinSays]

Feature: Unintended Consequences by John P. Murphy
Feature: Expired by John P. Murphy
Drabble: Gary's Tension by Edgar Arthur



Friday, November 25, 2011
James Kennedy had stared at his sock drawer for a good ten minutes that first morning, dumbfounded. He’d never seen it so neat, and he didn’t remember doing it. But there they were: threadbare, but tidy and folded…

Norm’s New CD: The Esoteric Order of Sherman

Chuck Wendig's "Terrible Minds"
Art by Mary Mattice

[ROU Killing Time]

Duplicate serial numbers, the downfall of many a would-be counterfeiter. Enjoyed the story and the funny voices. I notice Norm playing around with the format of the show here and there, and I liked the inclusion of the author's notes. Wouldn't mind seeing that show up in future episodes again.

Naturally I have the utmost respect for the good taste and sense of humor of the Twit-Fic selection committee this week. Fun to appear on the show again, and even more fun to listen to Norm riff on the gag.

"No, it's 3.14 everywhere..."

[tbaker2500]

Right-ho! Fantastic episode. Loved the Pratchett influence in the first story, and the second story was well executed, very funny.

Norms riffs are, of course, great. It was good to see pi in audio.

[j-m]

Great doubleheader, probably my favorite ever. I loved especially the little men and their voices- i also didn't see the twist of the serial numbers coming and loved it. It was perfect

[Dolohov]

Aw shucks, you guys are making me blush :) I'm glad you enjoyed the stories! And I agree: the voices were absolutely spot-on. They sounded just like they did in my head... Um. Not that I hear voices in my head, or anything.

[tbaker2500]

Ack! Checking comments for mean things said about author... *whew* Looks clean.

Hey, Dolohov! Congrats on having some great stories make it through to the DC!

[ROU Killing Time]

Aw shucks, you guys are making me blush I'm glad you enjoyed the stories! And I agree: the voices were absolutely spot-on. They sounded just like they did in my head... Um. Not that I hear voices in my head, or anything.

Embrace your inner voices and heed well their advice, (lest they hunt you down in the dark of night with their sharp, shiny knives.)

[normsherman]

Tumbleweed blowin through these forums the past week. Is everyone else workin on a CD too?

Hey, Dolohov! Congrats on having some great stories make it through to the DC!

Always makes me happy when new submitted stories make it through the slush and up into the Accepted Folder. It's ain't no easy task passin' through the Sphynx Gate folks.




them mofo's got laser beam eyes, you dig?

[tbaker2500]

Tumbleweeds? Where? I need some in the new Zelda game.

[strawman]

It's ain't no easy task passin' through the Sphynx Gate folks.

Dibs on the slushersockpuppet name "Sphinxter"

[Unblinking]

Tumbleweed blowin through these forums the past week. Is everyone else workin on a CD too?

Nope, just getting caught up on forums after getting caught up on various podcast's stories. I'm working my way back through!

Tumbleweeds? Where? I need some in the new Zelda game.

Wow, I am so out of touch that I didn't even know there was a new upcoming Zelda game until I saw a TV commercial over Thanksgiving weekend. I just started playing the new Deus Ex game anyway, so I guess I don't need anything more for a while. One advantage of being so out of touch is that the old games are new to me, and so much cheaper!


... Anyway, about the stories, loved these, both hilarious. I didn't see the serial number twist coming until the police showed up. I love the reveal of the warranty scam too--I can totally see manufacturers doing that, it's all just the next step in... what's that called when manufacturers intentionally make a product that is NOT long-lasting to encourage more sales? I know there's a specific phrase for it, but it's not coming to mind. anyway, this seems like the natural next step to that strategy.

[tbaker2500]

Is the term you're looking for "planned obsolescence"?

[Unblinking]

Is the term you're looking for "planned obsolescence"?

Yes!! The only phrase that came to mind yesterday was "planned convalescence" which really doesn't fit. You can definitely see the effects of planned obsolescence in many manufactured stuff, especially small electronics. Before my current phone, I'd had a string of several phones that became nonfunctional within 1-2 years, forcing a replacement. My current phone, an LG enV has lasted for 6 years! That includes dozens of dropping onto hard surfaces and one accidental submersion into water (it killed the battery but not the phone). I am holding onto this one until it falls apart completely!

[tbaker2500]

Being an electronic device manufacturer myself, I wish I had that luxury. All my customers demand everlasting life from my products. But, they're businesses, not consumers.
I think the reality is not that they planned for something to fail, it's that they didn't design it to last. I know it's a subtle difference. But truly designing something to last a long time is really, really hard, and quite expensive. When they have zero financial incentive to do so, they don't. Turnover is the lifeblood of the cell phone industry.

It's frustrating, but it's capitalism.

Needless to say, I really enjoyed that story.

[moonowl]

Yup, my favorite doubleheader too. I think the same bastards are drinking my gin...

[angagaur]