microcode, compilers, and supercomputer architecture

From: Max Eskin <max82_at_surfree.com>
Date: Mon Apr 5 20:05:34 1999

On Mon, 5 Apr 1999, Ward D. Griffiths III wrote:
>Nobody who's ever worked in aviation or medical electronics is going
>to do any of that willingly. Your point was?
>
>Last I checked, few volunteer for ICU or oncology treatment (and the
>latter is forbidden by me), and only foolish flight crew and ignorant
>passengers volunteer for the aircraft you've named. Make your point.
>
>And yes, I know the aviation and medical fields and their equipment
>middling well, though it wasn't my life's plan when I started. (Be
>aware that I watch pilots and doctors a lot more carefully than I'd
>planned as well -- I've worked with them as well as their machines).

So, in other words, don't trust doctors, don't trust pilots, don't trust
engineers, don't trust any critical machine designed less than 30 years
ago. I think we've just thrown all of the benefits of the digital age out
the window, Ward :)

I have heard of Airbuses crashing because the controls were poorly
designed. I've never heard of a 777 crashing. I've also never heard of any
medical machines failing, though this would tend to be underpublicized.

 --Max Eskin (max82_at_surfree.com)
Received on Mon Apr 05 1999 - 20:05:34 BST