The problem is what happens when the planes electronics or radios fail, causing the problem in the first place. The black boxes will record all of that information even when all the other systems have failed, where that crucial data would otherwise be lost in transmission. The flight recordings are useless, after all, until the last few minutes.

That word- I do not think it means what you think it means.

Water does have a taste - it tastes like... water!

All water that isn't pure hydrogen and oxygen also has a flavor derived from the levels of various trace minerals and additives in it. Just because you can't taste something doesn't mean I can't!