# Obvious things about a creative work you realize after the millionth time (OPEN SPOILERS POSSIBLE) **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [July 24, 2009, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117 "2009-07-24T13:20:08Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 251
**Author:** ![JohnnyEcks](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnnyecks/32/18197_2.png) [@JohnnyEcks](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnnyEcks)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2022, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5005 "2022-10-06T19:20:45Z")
I vaguely remember a story where someone tried this, and the vampire just glances at the pile and says “6,972” without breaking stride… ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2022, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5006 "2022-10-06T21:28:46Z")
Well, the real Vlad was both a Count and a _Voivode_- which can be translated as “Prince”. (Duke or Warlord are also possible, Duke as in “Dux” is likely closest) ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2022, 10:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5007 "2022-10-06T22:27:54Z")
> [@mordecaiB](#): > > Not a millionth time, and not me, but me and my wife were watching Season 8 of _The Brokenwood Mysteries_ last night. I mentioned something about a Maori character and my wife turned to me and said “Isn’t this set in Ireland?” That’s right, we already watched seven seasons and she never picked up on that. This is absolutely hilarious. I mean, how??? ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [October 6, 2022, 10:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5008 "2022-10-06T22:54:55Z")
> [@carrps](#): > > This is absolutely hilarious. I mean, how??? I know, right? I’m going to be merciless on her about this for a long time. ---
**Author:** ![Spice\_Weasel](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/spice_weasel/32/5435_2.png) [@Spice\_Weasel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spice_Weasel)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2022, 1:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5009 "2022-10-07T13:44:30Z")
> [@mordecaiB](#): > > Not a millionth time, and not me, but me and my wife were watching Season 8 of _The Brokenwood Mysteries_ last night. I mentioned something about a Maori character and my wife turned to me and said “Isn’t this set in Ireland?” That’s right, we already watched seven seasons and she never picked up on that. I think I was about 5 Seasons into the Goldbergs when I realized they were Jewish. The. Goldbergs. Sherlock I ain’t. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2022, 1:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5010 "2022-10-07T13:52:13Z")
You need a warning: Now you can’t unsee it. ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Cad](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/saint_cad/32/18907_2.png) [@Saint\_Cad](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Cad)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2022, 1:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5011 "2022-10-07T13:54:05Z")
Are you sure? I thought it was a play on _I, Robot_ ---
**Author:** ![mordecaiB](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mordecaib/32/7725_2.png) [@mordecaiB](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mordecaiB)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2022, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5012 "2022-10-07T15:10:15Z")
> [@Spice\_Weasel](#): > > I think I was about 5 Seasons into the Goldbergs when I realized they were Jewish. The. Goldbergs. Maybe you and my wife should get together to watch some tv shows. Everyone else could place bets on who would spot the obvious location/ethnicities first. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [October 7, 2022, 4:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5013 "2022-10-07T16:15:29Z")
> [@Saint\_Cad](#): > > Are you sure? I thought it was a play on _I, Robot_ No reason it couldn’t be both. ---
**Author:** ![Wendell\_Wagner](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/8491ac/32.png) [@Wendell\_Wagner](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wendell_Wagner)\ **Post date:** [October 8, 2022, 12:32am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5014 "2022-10-08T00:32:25Z")
And, of course, the main character of the show is named Adam Goldberg, which is the name of the show’s creator. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [October 9, 2022, 3:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5015 "2022-10-09T03:12:24Z")
I’d just rewatched the movie _Margin Call_ and realized that Kevin Spacey’s dead dog must have been in his car for at least 24 straight hours. ---
**Author:** ![Pavelb1](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/439d5e/32.png) [@Pavelb1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Pavelb1)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2022, 4:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5016 "2022-10-10T04:56:50Z")
Til today, I thought Giallo was a director…top that!! ---
**Author:** ![rowrrbazzle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rowrrbazzle/32/414_2.png) [@rowrrbazzle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rowrrbazzle)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2022, 4:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5017 "2022-10-10T04:57:27Z")
The publisher stole the title (which I think can’t be copyrighted anyway) from the Eando Binder book about Adam Link. Asimov questioned it, and the publisher replied “Fuck Eando Binder!” ---
**Author:** ![Peter\_Morris](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/peter_morris/32/359_2.png) [@Peter\_Morris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Peter_Morris)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2022, 8:03am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5018 "2022-10-10T08:03:55Z")
Of course, all these titles derive ultimately from _I, Claudius_. ---
**Author:** ![Thudlow\_Boink](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thudlow_boink/32/320_2.png) [@Thudlow\_Boink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Thudlow_Boink)\ **Post date:** [October 10, 2022, 1:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5019 "2022-10-10T13:40:22Z")
Yes, you’re right (except it was a short story). I had forgotten. > **[I, Robot (short story)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/I,_Robot_(short_story))** > > "I, Robot" is a science fiction short story by Eando Binder (nom de plume for Earl and Otto Binder), part of a series about a robot named Adam Link. It was published in the January 1939 issue of Amazing Stories.\[citation needed\] > The story is about a robot's confession. Some weeks earlier, its builder, Dr. Charles Link, built it in the basement. Link teaches his robot to walk, talk and behave civilly. Link's housekeeper sees the robot just enough to be horrified by it, but his dog is totally loya... ---
**Author:** ![EnolaStraight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/41988e/32.png) [@EnolaStraight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EnolaStraight)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2022, 12:13am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5020 "2022-10-22T00:13:54Z")
In Star Wars, there’s a scene aboard the Millenium Falcon which had always puzzled me…time index 0:38 [​​​​ (1) TIE Fighter Attack A New Hope 1080p HD - YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mSvPxNopdHs) Han enters a ladder tube going UP and Luke descends DOWN the ladder. Moments later, the tube is presented horizontally. ??? I now realize, since the Falcon has artificial gravity, Han can put UP and DOWN _wherever it is convenient for him!_ ---
**Author:** ![Wheelz](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wheelz/32/5718_2.png) [@Wheelz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Wheelz)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2022, 2:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5021 "2022-10-22T14:58:36Z")
I always thought that was a really cool and imaginative detail. Gravity aboard spaceships is one of those things that makes little logical or scientific sense (save perhaps for _2001_’s spinning centrifuge), but is necessary to produce a film here on Earth. Might as well have a little fun with it. ---
**Author:** ![Exapno\_Mapcase](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/exapno_mapcase/32/1051_2.png) [@Exapno\_Mapcase](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Exapno_Mapcase)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2022, 5:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5022 "2022-10-22T17:00:32Z")
James Gunn gave that version in his _Isaac Asimov: The Foundations of Science Fiction_. It’s possible. Marty Greenberg, the publisher, was a volatile, self-centered guy. He also published Gunn’s earliest books so Gunn knew him, although not as well as Asimov, who was part of the same club. The problem is that no two memories of that era match one another. Asimov gives a much milder account in _I, Asimov: A Memoir_: > Martin Greenberg of Gnome Press was a glib young man [actually two years older than Asimov] with a mustache, quite charming, as glib young men often are, but, as I found out in the end, not quite reliable. > > However, he seemed willing to publish collections of my old stories and that rather glorified him in my eyes. I put together nine of my robot stories – eight that had appeared in ASF [_Astounding Science Fiction_] and the first one, which I now restored to its original title of “Robbie.” He published it toward the end of 1950 under the name of _I, Robot_, a name that Martin himself had suggested. I pointed out that there was a well-known short story by that name by Eando Binder, but Martin shrugged that off…. Asimov would almost certainly not used “Fuck Eando Binder” in his family-friendly bio, so that may not be conclusive. However, Frederik Pohl was his agent, and the one who normally did all the dealings with Greenberg, and in his _The Way the Future Was_ blog, Pohl gave a completely different version. > When I handed the manuscript over to Marty, he said, “I don’t have to read this, I’ve already read them all. I’ll write a contract. But I need a title and there isn’t one on the script.” > > He was right. No new title occurred to me, but I’d admired the title on an Eando Binder robot story — “I, Robot,” borrowed from the great Robert Graves novel, _I, Claudius_ — and it wouldn’t matter what we put in the contract, because the title could always be changed and titles aren’t copyrightable anyway. So said the contract, and the Binder title just never got changed. Pohl would definitely have put in as juicy an anecdote as “Fuck Eando Binder.” I’ve written the definitive history of Gnome Press to be put up online soon, and I constantly ran into these clashing seemingly authentic recollections from people who were there. Who was right? Usually not Greenberg. I’ve been able to show from objective outside data that Greenberg later handed out the wrong publication history, somehow switching later books in a series with earlier titles, and that false ordering has been reused by everyone for 40 years. Nothing anybody says about sf in the 40s and early 50s is reliable. Even contemporary accounts in fanzines often don’t match up. It’s a historian’s nightmare. ---
**Author:** ![carrps](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carrps/32/2957_2.png) [@carrps](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carrps)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2022, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5023 "2022-10-22T17:49:54Z")
> [@Exapno\_Mapcase](#): > > It’s a historian’s nightmare. I can imagine. I’m currently reading a bio of Leonard Cohen, and the author will report anecdotes/facts as they are related to her or documented somewhere, but was able to say for some of them “nope, that’s not how that happened.” For example, he couldn’t have decided to include a particular song on an album in Dec 1966 by playing it over the phone for someone, when the album was released in Sept 1966. There were a couple of other myths she’s corrected so far in the book. I like that she’s done it this way. And it shows why a biographer’s job can be fraught. ---
**Author:** ![Bill\_Door](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/50afbb/32.png) [@Bill\_Door](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bill_Door)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2022, 6:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117/5024 "2022-10-22T18:11:17Z")
> [@Zyada](#): > > had heard that, but not in context of the Scottish play. I saw what you did there. The one time a director took the trouble to chastise me in person was when I quoted the Scottish play. I was a background actor lying in a pool of artificial blood, and during the set up quoted the Lady; “Who would have thought the old man had so much blood in him?” The director didn’t mind small talk during the set ups, but the Scottish play was right out. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117.md?page=250) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/obvious-things-about-a-creative-work-you-realize-after-the-millionth-time-open-spoilers-possible/504117.md?page=252)