Freefall 3941 - 3950 (D)
Freefall 3941
Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2023-08-07
Hmm. Perhaps some worker protections are not a bad idea.
Is this about money?
Partially. It's also about purpose.
It's about being able to contribute
to your community.
It's about being able to contribute
to your community.
People may not like going to work
on Monday. What they like even less are Mondays with no job to go to.
on Monday. What they like even less are Mondays with no job to go to.
Freefall 3942
Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2023-08-09
One important thing
to keep in mind.
to keep in mind.
Rover17, would you rather
work with another robot
or with a human?
work with another robot
or with a human?
With a human!
You are starting your plans with
a huge amount of robotic good will. Don't waste it.
a huge amount of robotic good will. Don't waste it.
Freefall 3943
Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2023-08-11
Even if an A.I. takes my job, the savings won't be enough.
Enough for what? I thought we were profitable.
We are. Sort of. We're stretching out maintenance and cannibalizing unit one. It's not sustainable.
I also want a rainy day fund in case something big breaks.
A rainy day fund is a must.
It's hard to attract top talent without embezzlement opportunities.
It's hard to attract top talent without embezzlement opportunities.
Freefall 3944
Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2023-08-14
I didn't know things were this bad.
They are.
Labor costs are small compared to our overall operating costs.
I cut every place else I could before getting to you guys.
I cut every place else I could before getting to you guys.
Have you
cut your
own salary?
cut your
own salary?
Labor negotiations must
be done in good faith. I felt
it would be a sign of good faith if the union went first.
be done in good faith. I felt
it would be a sign of good faith if the union went first.
Freefall 3945
Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2023-08-16
This is why I wanted to bring
in robots. It would lower labor costs and you guys could keep your current pay and benefits.
in robots. It would lower labor costs and you guys could keep your current pay and benefits.
So all we would need to do
to enjoy our current lifestyle is shaft the generation
of workers that comes after us. No thanks. If a pay cut is needed, we all take a pay cut.
to enjoy our current lifestyle is shaft the generation
of workers that comes after us. No thanks. If a pay cut is needed, we all take a pay cut.
How much would
we need to cut for the station
to survive?
we need to cut for the station
to survive?
Looking at the numbers, if we all work for free for the next couple of decades, that just might do it.
Freefall 3946
Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2023-08-18
Maybe we should
look at closing down the station.
look at closing down the station.
I was hoping to avoid that.
I don't suppose our little blue friend has any ideas.
I don't suppose our little blue friend has any ideas.
I do. I know
how to save
the station.
how to save
the station.
You could have led
with that.
with that.
And miss this wonderful conversation? What fun
would that be?
would that be?
Freefall 3947
Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2023-08-21
You both want the same
thing. For this station to continue and be profitable.
thing. For this station to continue and be profitable.
You needed to see how bad the financial situation was. Mr. De Morel needed to see that the union was willing to bend if the situation required it.
If there's one thing watching sit coms
has taught me, many complications can
be avoided if people would take five
minutes and talk to each other.
has taught me, many complications can
be avoided if people would take five
minutes and talk to each other.
Freefall 3948
Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2023-08-23
I can save the station.
If you're willing to accept some changes.
If you're willing to accept some changes.
Your previous function, servicing ships and making
pulse devices to move a moon,
is complete. You need a new purpose.
pulse devices to move a moon,
is complete. You need a new purpose.
And you have a new purpose that is profitable?
Actually, I have two. Your philosopher Yogi Berra said “When you come
to a fork in the road, take it.” I've collected a lot of silverware that way.
to a fork in the road, take it.” I've collected a lot of silverware that way.
Freefall 3949
Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2023-08-25
Mr. Hillman was willing to take a pay cut so the robots would be treated the same as human workers.
That's a good sign because
robots and A.I. are your future customers.
robots and A.I. are your future customers.
I'm bringing this up first because it's a big change and it's harder for some people to move mentally than it is for them to move physically.
Freefall 3950
Provisional Title: Sqid in the maintenance shop
[!0.987]2023-08-28
Not only don't robots have enough money to turn things around, I'm the one who's going to be paying them. The money will be going from one pocket to another.
Here, that's true. Systemwide, robots already directly or indirectly control nearly ninety percent of the wealth. This station can be made into something the robots want.
Have either of you gentlemen heard of an Aldrin cycler?
I don't see how a piece of home exercise equipment is going to help our situation.