Lethal arrogance : human fallibility and dangerous technologies /

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Bibliographic Details
Author / Creator:Dumas, Lloyd J.
Imprint:New York : St. Martin's Press, c1999.
Description:xi, 372 p. ; 25 cm.
Language:English
Subject:Technology -- Risk assessment.
Technology -- Social aspects.
Technology -- Risk assessment.
Technology -- Social aspects.
Format: Print Book
URL for this record:http://pi.lib.uchicago.edu/1001/cat/bib/4243536
Hidden Bibliographic Details
ISBN:0312222513 (cloth)
Notes:Includes bibliographical references and index.
Review by Choice Review

Dumas (political economy, Univ. of Texas, Dallas), a past critic of contemporary technology policies (The Conservation Response, CH, Jun'77), argues that unless drastic steps are taken catastrophic technological disasters are inevitable. About a third of the book focuses on past problems with lethal technologies. For example, he compiles troubling evidence of poor inventory control over nerve gas and nuclear stockpiles, instances of mental illness among nuclear missile operators, false indications of nuclear attack in defense warning systems, and frequent accidents with nuclear weapons. Dumas argues that these problems and future catastrophes are inevitable simply due to natural human fallibility. He catalogs, with supporting statistics and examples, these human fallibilities, such as alcohol addiction and occupational boredom on the part of the protectors and operators of potentially lethal technological systems and the human propensity to underestimate risks. He argues that more technology--including the use of computer safeguards--will not resolve matters because of the same human frailties. He closes with the usual list of steps that need to be taken to bring dangerous technologies under control, including abolishing weapons of mass destruction and using safer alternative technologies. All levels. T. S. Reynolds; Michigan Technological University

Copyright American Library Association, used with permission.
Review by Kirkus Book Review

Dumas (Political Economy/Univ. of Texas) sorts and classifies hundreds of past human errors and machine glitches that have led to death and disaster, then considers, much more briefly, what can be done to prevent them in the future. The chilling answer is not much. All but the final slim chapter of this compendium of case histories proclaims the inevitable fallibility of men and machines and the near-certain occurrence of rare events, given enough time. Dumas recounts the well-reported mistakes at Chernobyl and Three Mile Island; the terrorism of Aum Shinrikyo, Timothy McVeigh, and the World Trade Center bombers, and the cult suicides of Heavenly Gate and Jim Jones followers. But the sheer weight of other less well-known destructive events is compelling: so many terrible hits, so many near catastrophes. Dumas's forte is in analyzing how and why mistakes are made, whether accidental or deliberate, and to what extent technologies like hazardous chemicals and nuclear power are inherently dangerous. Where will the next hot spot arise? Dumas points to the boredom, repetition, and isolation of jobs monitoring dangerous equipment or safeguarding missile sites. He talks of bureaucratic mindsets that deny or avoid dealing with new information or changes in routine. And perhaps most tellingly, he describes the arrogant groupthink that promotes a dangerous belief in the group's infallibility. Dismissing technological fixes to problems of human error, he notes the fallibility of computers whose programs are still written by humans. What to do? Dumas recommends that we abolish and destroy existing nuclear, chemical, and biological weapons, enforce inspection, employ economic sanctions, seek alternative forms of energy, encourage international interdependence'all admirable goals unlikely to happen. When you're done with your copy, send it to some member of Congress, the military, or other organization concerned with national defense, so that they can all learn just how easy it is to make fatal mistakes.

Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.
Review by Choice Review


Review by Kirkus Book Review