3 ms·

Software liability would effectively crush smaller companies, unable to keep up with the lawsuits, because they don't have billions in the bank.

jacquesm 3y ago
If your software can cause billions of damage and you don't have billions in the bank you are in the wrong business, or acting very irresponsibly.
- RhodesianHunter 3y ago
  Small companies can't cause billions in damage though...
  - jacquesm 3y ago
    The argument wasn't mine.
  - MichaelZuo 3y ago
    Yes they can? It's totally possible for a small, well connected, group to be writing small pieces of custom code in very critical applications, like core reactor controls system for navy submarines.
    - RhodesianHunter 3y ago
      Those may be small teams, but they are most definitely not small companies.
  - tonyarkles 3y ago
    SQLite and OpenSSL are prime examples. Both have exceptionally small teams behind them writing software that literally is in everything.
acdha 3y ago
Or you’d have separate rules, similar to how you can make kit cars or ultralight airplanes without being held to the same scrutiny as Boeing or GM.
- salawat 3y ago
  ...implying the scrutiny Boeing is held to does anything beneficial. The regulatory capture resulted in a pathological operating module that put over 346 in an early grave because they couldn't be arsed to not cut corners; then on top of ot all, there's no substantive finding of liability or wrongdoing. Laws that are ultimately unenforced due to 2B2F might as well not exist at all.
  - acdha 3y ago
    I don't want to defend Boeing's management but even with the worst failure in, what, half a century? it's still much safer to fly than drive so I wouldn't be so quick to throw aviation security culture under the bus.
thfuran 3y ago
I think you should really think about what you're saying. Would you cut makers of physical artifacts the same slack, say a small prepared food producer who just can't afford to vet their supply chain or final product to make sure it's not contaminated?
- deleted 3y ago
  [deleted]
- phendrenad2 3y ago
  This has already played out. Most consumer software specifies that it cannot be used in medical devices, or for nuclear energy production. So some version of this already exists. But should this apply to video games? Horoscope websites? Random number generators? I'm just pointing out that it isn't a universal argument.

jacquesm 3y ago

If your software can cause billions of damage and you don't have billions in the bank you are in the wrong business, or acting very irresponsibly.

RhodesianHunter 3y ago
Small companies can't cause billions in damage though...
- jacquesm 3y ago
  The argument wasn't mine.
- MichaelZuo 3y ago
  Yes they can? It's totally possible for a small, well connected, group to be writing small pieces of custom code in very critical applications, like core reactor controls system for navy submarines.
  - RhodesianHunter 3y ago
    Those may be small teams, but they are most definitely not small companies.
- tonyarkles 3y ago
  SQLite and OpenSSL are prime examples. Both have exceptionally small teams behind them writing software that literally is in everything.

acdha 3y ago

Or you’d have separate rules, similar to how you can make kit cars or ultralight airplanes without being held to the same scrutiny as Boeing or GM.

salawat 3y ago
...implying the scrutiny Boeing is held to does anything beneficial. The regulatory capture resulted in a pathological operating module that put over 346 in an early grave because they couldn't be arsed to not cut corners; then on top of ot all, there's no substantive finding of liability or wrongdoing. Laws that are ultimately unenforced due to 2B2F might as well not exist at all.
- acdha 3y ago
  I don't want to defend Boeing's management but even with the worst failure in, what, half a century? it's still much safer to fly than drive so I wouldn't be so quick to throw aviation security culture under the bus.

thfuran 3y ago

I think you should really think about what you're saying. Would you cut makers of physical artifacts the same slack, say a small prepared food producer who just can't afford to vet their supply chain or final product to make sure it's not contaminated?

deleted 3y ago
[deleted]
phendrenad2 3y ago
This has already played out. Most consumer software specifies that it cannot be used in medical devices, or for nuclear energy production. So some version of this already exists. But should this apply to video games? Horoscope websites? Random number generators? I'm just pointing out that it isn't a universal argument.