A chimpanzee may be able to splatter paint on a canvas and sell his work of "abstract art" for good money, but a chimp behind a computer can't produce anything that resembles the work of Robert Frost or F. Scott Fitzgerald. Are we relying on technology to lead us to a more productive and civilized world? Because computers and other forms of technology, once set in motion, give us timely and reliable information, do we need the human factor? Some people apparently think humans arebiased, emotional, and just get in the way. These people have relied heavily on technology - with occasional disastrous results.
The recent Gulf oil spill is one example. The technology may have worked fairly well, but humans did not communicate or respond according to contingency plans when things went awry, or the human planning was not sufficient. Are we venturing into risky areas based on our respect of technology? Do we forget about the human contribution when preparing for disasters? It would seem we are a long way from eliminating the Human Factor.
Wyatt Erp or Matt Dillon? Some folks claim technology will give us high levels of security for our financial and retail institutions, but technology itself may open the door to the bad guys. The FBI recently probed a breach of security at Citibank. A Russian Cyber Gang is suspected of stealing millions of dollars. While Citibank acknowledges attempts to penetrate its security, it denies a breach.
Meanwhile, militants in Iraq and Afghanistan used $26.00 off-the-shelf software to intercept video feeds from Predator unmanned aircraft. Russians were helping these militants to regularly capture drone video feeds. And here I've complained that the computer, Internet usage and texting leave no time for reflection and creativity. It seems these unemployed Russians have too much time on their hands. Maybe my eighth-grade nun was correct when she proclaimed: "Idleness is the Devil's workshop." James Lewis, an expert on these security matters, stated on the PBS News Hour that "It's a wild-West out there and it's time to bring in the marshals." (Human marshals; not Robo-Cops?)
Some detainees at the Guantanamo Bay Detention Facility in Cuba will transfer to a prison in Western Illinois. We read that millions of dollars will be spent on technology to prevent these prisoners from escaping. I don't think these folks will be digging tunnels or making their escape in World War II, prison-camp style. No Steve McQueen on a Harley this time around. No, they'll probably walk out the front door waving a pardon from the World Court or devise plans we haven't considered. Let's see, so far terrorists have used shoes and underwear. That
leaves . . . ?
Our preventative strategies must incorporate human factors. Having well-trained, intelligent humans assess other humans is our best protection against terrorist attacks. The recent release of the movie Sherlock Holmes is a reminder that Holmes was a master at identifying non-verbal cues. Is this profiling? And if it is, do we look the other way and risk terrorist activity? Abraham Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs identifies security as the basis for human development. Without security, self-actualization and other positive attributes can't evolve. This question presents an ethical dilemma - a very human dilemma.
Okay, so the average Joe can't monitor these advanced electronic systems. Do we trust private companies motivated by profit to mind the store? How about the government? Surely our scientists can be trusted to take a safe and unbiased approach to the use of technology. Maybe, maybe not. According to The Wall Street Journal, leaked e-mails from the University of East Anglia, England, indicate that climatologists may have rigged efforts to show a climate consensus. Apparently some scientific journals were encouraged to hold back on publishing research critical of man-made global warming.
This reminds me of a time when some psychological journals were not receptive to research showing the negative effects of day care. Women who wanted or needed to work had to have day care for their children, but regardless of political or social pressures, scientific findings shouldn't be censored to prevent mothers and fathers from knowing the risks and benefits associated with day care. Sooner or later, the Human Factor emerges.
Cockpit Games at 37,000 Feet. The pilot of a Northwest Airlines jet said he was "blown away" and "in shock" when he failed to contact air-traffic controllers for more than an hour. (Andy Pasztor, "Errant Pilot Blown Away by Incident," The Wall Street Journal, Dec. 17, 2009). He really seemed amazed that time flew by so quickly. Readers of my book, The Digital Pandemic, understand that a computer can suck out your brains and leave you drained and mesmerized. Electronic games provide entertainment but can lead to mind-numbing hours of pressing thumbs against keys.
A laptop computer played a role in this airline fiasco, but the Human Factor surfaces again. The pilot and co-pilot report they were operating a laptop computer and discussing airline scheduling while the rest of the world was trying to find them. I have an airline pilot friend who is familiar with the configuration of that model aircraft and he says a laptop could block the view of cockpit displays. In the pre-tech days pilots flew the airplanes, not automatic (computer) pilots, and had to focus and stay on top of things.
Now airlines fear that bored pilots on transcontinental flights are playing video games as they cruise high over the ocean, responsible for the lives of hundreds of passengers. As most of these pilots are male Hunters (See chapter 2 of Digital Pandemic), they might even be playing air combat games while their passengers sleep. What about the effect on humans of technology games seconds and minutes after their use? At Center Academy Schools we see physically and mentally drained kids who can't concentrate after extended game use. Could this also hold true for pilots? What about their reflexes, reaction times and ability to visualize? Here's a case where technology has the potential to corrupt the Human Factor directly.
Body scanners and other technology may help detect weapons and explosives, but it eventually gets down to the human element. Mr. Abdulmutallab's recent attempt to blow up an airliner over Detroit reminds us that the enemy is a thinking enemy. In the Abdulmutallab case, it appears that no human mind connected the dots to prevent him from boarding a plane, and the intelligence community still lacks cohesion, even after 911. David Brooks told moderator Jim Lehrer on the PBS News Hour that "intuition is being chased out by checklists," and he reminded us of the superiority of the brain relative to computers in providing security for our country. (PBS News Hour, 8 Jan., 2010).
Despite examples of social and political pressures that influence scientific reporting, the government has now decided to allow scientists to regulate themselves in the area of stem-cell research. The intention here is understandable. It allows scientists to conduct research without fear of interference based on political partisanship. But scientists are vulnerable to outside pressures because they are human and have personal, family and professional goals. The scientists may know best how to operate the camera, but the government, representing the people, needs to decide where to point the camera. Alas! The Human Factor once again.
Mack Hicks
No hay comentarios:
Publicar un comentario