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The most interesting part is: "Galen’s reflection on engineering could have come straight out of real-life engineering discussions of the 1970s. As the historia
by sebastianconcpt 10y ago
The most interesting part is: "Galen’s reflection on engineering could have come straight out of real-life engineering discussions of the 1970s. As the historian Matthew Wisnioski captures in his book “Engineers for Change”, many engineers were criticized during the Vietnam War for their role in developing major weapons systems. In the real world, Galen could have become a conscientious objector and left the project, but oftentimes engineers can choose to stay engaged and try to influence the project." <- influencing as euphemism of engineering sabotage of course.
- rm445 10y agoPerhaps that was the author's intent. But influencing without sabotage is perhaps relevant to our modern world, especially to the HN crowd - because weapons systems are likely to become more autonomous. If you're working on a battle robot - no longer just a science fiction concept - paying serious attention to the systems that prevent it being an indiscriminate civilian-slayer could be seen as ethical engineering, compared to leaving a project in the hands of people who care less about such things.
- bem94 10y agoI agree, it is very relevant and especially to the HN crowd (who have always appeared deaf to this sort of thing from my limited experience here, though I am happy to be corrected on that point!). We all work on tools which might get twisted and applied to that which was not their original purpose. It's important to discuss the implications of that.
- empath75 10y agoI don't even know what the equivalent would be today -- handing Isis the passwords and frequencies for predator drones?