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Comment Re:Technology can indeed fail (Score 1) 460

Not sure where you are going with this. The reference was to Air Traffic Control (ATC) systems, not aircraft. The centrifuges don't run Windows, Windows was just a vector in the attack. ATC systems are not typically running Windows either; modern systems are running on Java and Linux, which are also vulnerable.

Comment Re:Technology can indeed fail (Score 1) 460

If you can't make the mental leap from that analogy, then I'm not sure a different one would help unless it was specific to ATC. It doesn't take the NSA to pay off a janitor to plug a thumb drive into a PC. And yes, I know the target systems aren't Windows, but Linux isn't invulnerable either. This doesn't even have to be at an FAA location. This could be at Raytheon or Lockheed Martin, or whoever is responsible for development of that particular system.

I'm trying to figure out if you are thinking of the potential attackers as a bunch of goat herders sitting in mud huts

Comment Re:Sensors wrong (Score 2) 460

There are specific procedures the pilots are supposed to follow when sensors give bad data. The case you cite, the pilots were aware that something was wrong and did not follow the correct procedure.

The problem is that we are living in a sort of no man's land in between manual and automated. Automated enough that the humans don't pay attention, but not automated enough that the systems can handle a multiple fail scenario.

One of the problems with the current situation is that aircraft require BOTH Humans AND Computers to do their jobs. Neither one by themselves can cover for the other one.

Comment Re:and we will need basic income to cover the peop (Score 1) 460

and we will need basic income to cover the people automated out of a job

Airlines are already complaining about a shortage of pilots today. This will take years and people growing up will have the opportunity to pursue something else, like, I don't know, the technology for automating aircraft. And those military drone pilots will have an almost direct path into civilian employment, assuming that they can get over Macho Grande.

Comment Re:If you demand all your supporters be flawless.. (Score 1) 653

You could also tell Tim Cook to put his money where his mouth is, but it isn't his money. It's the shareholders' money, and he is ultimately beholden to them.

Really? Tim Cook disagrees with you... " “If you want me to do things only for ROI reasons, you should get out of this stock,” "

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