Answer each question in 2-3 sentences or a shortparagraph. Your responses must b

Question

Answer each question in 2-3 sentences or a shortparagraph. Your responses must be neatly typed, and free of major grammatical and spelling errors. Be specific -points will be deducted for vague or incoherent answers, as well as spelling andgrammar problems. Read the article titled "Blowup" by Malcolm Gladwell (posted on Canvas). a) Explain what is meant by the term "normal accident" b) Why does our ever-growing reliance on complex safety systems in many aspects of our lives (e.9. antilock braking systems, network firewalls, smoke detectors, etc.) actually encourage people to take morerisks than they would have otherwise?

Explanation / Answer

a) The term ‘normal accidents’ refers to the inevitable nature of failure when dealing with high technology. Human error is part of the world and due to the complexity of systems and their interconnection, the potential for disaster cannot be avoidable. Disasters like the explosion of the Challenger space shuttle or the Three Mile island are often based on technical fault, human error or acts of God, but the truth is that these multiple and unexpected factors are inbuilt in the system and we learn from the experience and prevent future accidents. This concept is explained by Charles Perrow in his 1984 book “Normal accidents: Livingwith high-risk technologies”.

b) Safety systems are a function of balancing the costs of securing, with the risks of not securing. Most security and safety systems are based on the assessment of risk, taking into account the likelihood and impact of such a risk occurring. Once a safety system is put in place, we are assured that we have reduced the likelihood of the risk from occurring and minimised the impact even if the risk event were to occur. This confidence of being in control of then system makes us take more risks.

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