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Trying to explain aircraft accidents is hampered because the sample size is so small (literally anecdotal they are so infrequent), so making "inferences" about

Trying to explain aircraft accidents is hampered because the sample size is so small (literally anecdotal they are so infrequent), so making "inferences" about general rules from this is really unlikely to work. However, the psychological and social utility of explaining disasters to create the illusion of control is something which works. Also the investigations by the FAA and other bodies create reforms which improve safety. It somehow makes it easier to deal with if tragedies can be "resolved" by understanding what caused them, I guess it's part of the way that communities deal with tragedy. The ancients explained it by inventing elemental gods. We explain it with "rigorous investigations". I suppose because we're wired to try to learn from things which are dangerous, because that might help us survive. Also, as tragic and sad as the crash in Taipei is, the swerve of that little yellow car in the dashcam still, and imagining the occupants' reactions as a they swerved to avoid the plane that was crossing in front of them, is quite priceless.

kiba 12y ago
Our 'rigorous' investigation resulted in safer airline travel. Our ancestors' attempt to explain it by inventing elemental gods and pleasing them...does nothing.
- humanarity 12y ago
  Exactly correct. It does result in safer travel, and worship of idols probably does not result in this! So there's a mix of tangible and intangible utility. :) The entire public discourse of investigation, of which the actual result producing investigation is just a part, serves a narrative purpose akin to the ancients' gods. To some extent there's a spectacle of rigorous investigation and explanation in public discourse, and to that extent it's like worship for harvest. It makes us feel things are getting better when perhaps there are areas where we have little control. So there's a social utility and an engineering utility. That's the thesis anyway! Maybe it's all social or all engineering, tho I think each of those less likely than providing both.

kiba 12y ago

Our 'rigorous' investigation resulted in safer airline travel. Our ancestors' attempt to explain it by inventing elemental gods and pleasing them...does nothing.

humanarity 12y ago
Exactly correct. It does result in safer travel, and worship of idols probably does not result in this! So there's a mix of tangible and intangible utility. :) The entire public discourse of investigation, of which the actual result producing investigation is just a part, serves a narrative purpose akin to the ancients' gods. To some extent there's a spectacle of rigorous investigation and explanation in public discourse, and to that extent it's like worship for harvest. It makes us feel things are getting better when perhaps there are areas where we have little control. So there's a social utility and an engineering utility. That's the thesis anyway! Maybe it's all social or all engineering, tho I think each of those less likely than providing both.