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To take a perhaps unpopular stance: There is this argument that people shouldn't do certain kinds of science for fear of what it could lead to. Don't turn on t
by geuis 16y ago
To take a perhaps unpopular stance:
There is this argument that people shouldn't do certain kinds of science for fear of what it could lead to. Don't turn on the LHC because it might make a black hole (science thoroughly disputed this before the LHC was even finished). Its ridiculous. Science and knowledge can lead to bombs, mind control, and death. Or, they can lead to space travel, better mental health, and longer life. Its all about the implementation of the knowledge.
The same argument needs to be made about software.
- DizzyDoo 16y agoDon't write software because it'll cause a blackhole? I agree, that is ridiculous. I'm joking of course, the thing people are concerned about is being spied upon and never knowing it. That's not ridiculous. I don't particularly like the software's intended purpose, but I have to say, it's really very clever.
- hugh3 16y agoWell, this is less like evil science and more like evil engineering. The idea that certain types of knowledge should not be pursued is controversial, but the idea that certain types of things should not be built is less so. There is a scene in the Simpsons where Professor Frink shows off his death ray prototype and is forced to admit that "Well, to be honest, the ray only has evil applications..." This is one of those things, like a poisoned candy bar or a combination baby-rattle-mini-chainsaw, that only has evil applications. It should not be built (not the same thing as saying that you shouldn't be allowed to build it, btw), and if you build it you bear a partial moral (not necessarily legal) responsibility for its use which can't be waved away by saying "I am not responsible for evil uses".