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The problem with those analogies is that they're due to physical properties which the designers of those cars, ovens, and apartments couldn't control. Oil can'
by reemrevnivek 16y ago
The problem with those analogies is that they're due to physical properties which the designers of those cars, ovens, and apartments couldn't control.
Oil can't be regenerated. When gas burns, it emits CO. Catastrophes that might hit an apartment are usually out of the architect's control. There are protection schemes, but they're only protection, and they're often expensive.
In contrast, software authors are working in a world where they define the laws of the equivalent of physics. It's hard to define them so that nothing bad can happen, and they may be expensive in terms of memory or time, but there's still a big difference between problems in software and problems in the real world.
- sophacles 16y agoThought experiment time: I create a new computer company, and put automatic backing up to my servers In said OS. It's part of the price when you purchase. It is fully encrypted, and strictly there to alleviate these problems -- you can always restore backups from our servers. You know what happens? It isn't heralded as a bright and sunny day where the evil programmers and computer wizard finally did something right. Instead it is the "Worst Thing Ever"(tm) and we are invading the privacy of millions. We must be trying to rape children and torture puppies. We will be branded as evil and Fox News will call for our assassinations. Just because we make the rules of the software does not mean we make the rules of the society and people who use them.