Acceptable risks [was Re: Disposal of Radioactive Waste]

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#59

From: D.A.Kopf
Date: Tue, 06 Jun 2000 00:00

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Donald Borowski wrote:
> 
> But everybody knows that falling off a roof while putting up PV panels may
> cause only mild death, while radiation from a nuke plant accident might cause
> severe death ;-).

Having fallen off a roof (in fact intentionally jumping off them in my
optimistic youth) I can testify that in such events a behavior-modifying
learning experience is a happy alternative to death. However, it seems
reasonable to me that individual risk-taking should not imperil the lives of
others. Criminal law seems to agree, by�allowing punishment for involuntary
manslaughter. If I fell off a roof onto someone, well, I'm bound to say I'd
feel responsible for their injury. If a nuke that I designed had an accident
that caused injuries, I'd feel uncomfortable arguing that I'm not reponsible
becaused I used accepted engineering standards.

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From: "D.A.Kopf" <dak@dakx.com>
Subject: Acceptable risks [was Re: Disposal of Radioactive Waste]
Date: 2000/06/06
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