The Cold Equations

I read about a discussion of misogyny in sf that cited a story called "The Cold Equations" in which a lonely watch keeper in an interstellar transport found a young woman stowing away.  Since they would be unable to get to there destination with her additional mass, the cold equations demanded she be cast adrift.  The discussion focused on the fact that this seemed more like a contrivance to justify pushing a girl out an air lock than an exciting tale of science overcoming all.  I actually think science overcoming love and life is a pretty serious subject, but there is definitely misogyny afoot.

This morning I've been window shopping for technology. I seem to need a DVD drive update, and was considering a bluray player ($64), or burner ($82) rather than a straight DVD rewriter ($20).  Also useful might be a 'Ethernet over power' kit ($50-$65).  But I need to keep in mind that any money not paid on the mortgage will be paid three times or more.  The $130 will become $500, which is another half a week at work. And those items are just the beginning - there's always another project. Not that I don't love my job, but at some point these projects need to be pushed out an airlock.