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Any change to an already running system requires careful consideration, small scale testing, gradual rollout, the ability to roll back if bugs appear, etc. This

Any change to an already running system requires careful consideration, small scale testing, gradual rollout, the ability to roll back if bugs appear, etc. This is basic stuff for most of us here. Taking an example protest from the article, and reducing it to absurdity: we "just stop oil" right now, today. What happens? For one the majority of the human population which is concentrated in cities cannot feed itself. It's genocide. So why do we keep hearing these over simplified solutions for political, social and moral problems (which I would argue are more complex systems than a software project)? I am genuinely interested in what causes this and it can be solved, as I see it as a rising problem which eats up valuable time and energy in our societies.

moistly 4y ago
> Any change to an already running system requires careful consideration, small scale testing, gradual rollout, the ability to roll back if bugs appear, etc. You are driving down the highway when an oncoming semi truck pulls out to pass… in your lane. Do you carefully consider your maneuver, perform a small test, and gradually roll out your decision? Good luck and best wishes for you!
_Algernon_ 4y ago
>Any change to an already running system requires careful consideration, small scale testing, gradual rollout, the ability to roll back if bugs appear, etc. This is basic stuff for most of us here. Is there any scenario where that is no longer true? For example, if the current state of the system is an existential threat to itself?
- trabant00 4y ago
  > Is there any scenario where that is no longer true? Yes, if the system is already down and the cost of introducing new problems is zero. Which is not the case now.
  - _Algernon_ 4y ago
    There are systems that are designed to shut themselves down before potentially causing damage. In hardware: overheating CPUs. In software: BSODs or kernel panics. The only reason more abstract levels, such as web servers, databases and userspace applications, can solve their problems in the way you describe, is that there is a lower abstraction level that deals with the truly bad failing system states for them. So then the question becomes, what is the equivalent lower abstraction level system of the human economy? If it doesn't exist, it will have to be shutdown and restarted or redesigned to not reach a failure state, or do the economic equivalent of a BSOD. At least if the environmentalits' perspective that climate change is an existential threat is true, which of course is not necessarily true. There are many possible scenarios between human extinction, a permanent state of human misery, and successful adaptation which could be possible.

moistly 4y ago

> Any change to an already running system requires careful consideration, small scale testing, gradual rollout, the ability to roll back if bugs appear, etc. You are driving down the highway when an oncoming semi truck pulls out to pass… in your lane. Do you carefully consider your maneuver, perform a small test, and gradually roll out your decision? Good luck and best wishes for you!

_Algernon_ 4y ago

>Any change to an already running system requires careful consideration, small scale testing, gradual rollout, the ability to roll back if bugs appear, etc. This is basic stuff for most of us here. Is there any scenario where that is no longer true? For example, if the current state of the system is an existential threat to itself?

trabant00 4y ago
> Is there any scenario where that is no longer true? Yes, if the system is already down and the cost of introducing new problems is zero. Which is not the case now.
- _Algernon_ 4y ago
  There are systems that are designed to shut themselves down before potentially causing damage. In hardware: overheating CPUs. In software: BSODs or kernel panics. The only reason more abstract levels, such as web servers, databases and userspace applications, can solve their problems in the way you describe, is that there is a lower abstraction level that deals with the truly bad failing system states for them. So then the question becomes, what is the equivalent lower abstraction level system of the human economy? If it doesn't exist, it will have to be shutdown and restarted or redesigned to not reach a failure state, or do the economic equivalent of a BSOD. At least if the environmentalits' perspective that climate change is an existential threat is true, which of course is not necessarily true. There are many possible scenarios between human extinction, a permanent state of human misery, and successful adaptation which could be possible.