I broadly agree, but I would like to offer a couple of additional points. Firstly, there are fact-based disciplines within the humanities. Secondly, STEM (especially the technology and engineering parts) can be (mis)taught in a 'how-to' style that is light on critical thinking and in-depth understanding.

That one word pretty much sums up the trajectory of business and politics today. And neoserf for its plans for us.
 

You had me for a second, but this is not a valid analogy. The valid analogy would require someone to say that their analysis has found the pen that will make you a good writer.

"Is it time for more scientists to speak out openly about raising the level of transparency and honesty in their field?"

It has already happened - that's how you got to hear about it.

Just for a moment, I wished the the squeegee guys were back. I would like to see an interaction between a squeegee guy and this car at the exit of the Lincoln tunnel.

Who or what runs the legal system? And why would the manufacturers respond with anything other than 'fuck off - we will do what we like' to a judgment against them?

This is not the libertarian alternative. That would be that you can choose not to buy a car until some manufacturer deigns to build one that is secure - or you can build one yourself.
 

Loss of most of its former atmosphere.

So if a tree falls in a forest, and someone, somewhere is deaf, then it doesn't make a sound?

While SCOTUS has made some sensible rulings recently, the lower courts are still making decisions as if nothing has changed.

Alas, it is much less common than ordinary self-interested self-interest.

You are entitled to your opinion, but your attempt to establish it as the sole objective point of view is doomed to failure, on account of its subjective basis.

No, gmbrg is making a statement about the colors recorded in the image file, not about the colors of the dress. The values in the image file are precise quantities.

Thank you. I was prepared to believe that the dress was blue and black, but not that the image of it contained black (FWIW, I have always seen it as unambiguously blue/brown from the start, before I knew there was a question.)

The explanation I read (New Scientist) completely overlooked the significant issue of accuracy in color reproduction, both in the camera and in the display.
 

I think it's plausible that Lenovo was unaware of the risks that Superfish created. Now its management has figured out what it would cost to police their bloatware offerings, and realized that the relatively meager revenue it brings in does not cover that cost.

If that is so, then it doesn't help much with security, where finding exploitable bugs (and doing so before they are exploited) is usually the hard part.