Yes - but one other thing... With engineering we more or less know what
we're dealing with; the interactions of materials are quite
predictable. Can't say the same for "society" - which is another name for
a mass of unpredictable people... despite our ability to use statistics as
a tool.
P.
At 11:40 PM 5/17/2006 -0500, you wrote:
Marx was a social theorist rather than a social engineer. The problem with
earlier social engineering projects is that the social engineer had acquired
political power, which meant they could not be held legally and financially
liable for their failures. We are comfortable with the idea of physical
engineering because mechanical, structural and electrical engineers are
held to account financially and legally for the harm they may cause.
Harry
Philip Winestone wrote:
> The efficacy of legally sanctioned social impact studies went all the way
> downhill when Karl Marx wrote Das Kapital.
>
> P.
>
>
>
> At 02:25 PM 5/17/2006 -0500, you wrote:
>> Jed Rothwell wrote:
>>
>>> Harry Veeder wrote:
>>>
>>>>> The consequences of denying the reality of cold fusion have had a
>>>> horrendous
>>>>> impact on the real world.
>>>>
>>>> "The consequences of denying the reality of ___________ have had a
>>>> horrendous impact on the real world."
>>>>
>>>> Fill in the blank and take a number...
>>>
>>> Some things matter much more than others. If cold fusion can be made
>>> into a practical source of energy, it is the most important discovery
>>> in recorded history. Only prehistoric discoveries such as fire,
>>> agriculture or language have had a greater impact or more benefits.
>>>
>>> - Jed
>>>
>>>
>>
>> Sure, but there have been costs too.
>>
>> Social impact studies should be required by law just as environmental
impact
>> studies are now required by law.
>>
>> Harry
>
>
