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Old 29th Aug 2008, 04:33
  #1209 (permalink)  
PJ2
 
Join Date: Mar 2003
Location: BC
Age: 76
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philipat;
Depending on the final outcome of the investigation of course, it is a little discouraging to know that nothing more can be done to eliminate human factors in such regard.
I understand perhaps, but to remain discouraged is to remain discouraged with what is and will never change, and not just in aviation.

The goal to "eliminate" human error is a mistaken goal. Recognition of that fact alone is what can make aviation safer for as soon as one sets aside any idea that perfection can be achieved (or that one actually has it already!, and believe it or not, such hubris exists within aviation today), one can make progress in flight safety, first by being on one's guard and second by building anticipatory/preventative procedures/systems which are at once robust, but not brittle.

The term "brittle" means that a design must be at or close to perfection before it will work properly. The opposite term might be "resilient" but I'm not sure that entirely captures the full idea that pursuing perfection so that mistakes don't occur, is itself, a mistake.

Last edited by PJ2; 29th Aug 2008 at 05:03.
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