Notes &
Flight 447 was an Airbus, which uses so-called “fly-by-wire” technology that relies entirely on electronic rather than hydraulic and manual systems. Boeing jets also use fly-by-wire, but allow pilots to override computers in an emergency — whereas Airbus systems don’t… It’s essentially a question of what do you trust most— a human being’s ingenuity or a computer’s infinitely faster access and reaction to information. It’s not surprising that an American company errs on the side of individual freedom while a European company is more inclined to favor an approach that relies on systems.
Computers Key To Air France Crash - Digital Life Blog - InformationWeek
UPDATE: NB, I agree with everything Trey says here:
Trey: i dont like your airline quote
it seems to make the issue bigger than it is me: ya… i think i agree with you… but i thought it was an interesting parallel Trey: it’s a cool soudning quoteyeahi guess it’s interesting if our differing continental philsophies really affects which system is ut it placebut at the same timeit just seems like an empirical issuehow much authority to give the computerone configuration is better than the otherand i dont thinki it has any connection to which more general societal philosophy is betteranyway, im impressed thoughyoure tumbling up a storm tonight