From Russell Jeffords
New Scientist has acclaimed the idea of pilotless planes (9 August, p 30). Thoughtful attention to the issue of cosmic rays (4 October, p 12) should ground these proposals. What would be the fate of a pilotless plane that experienced data errors due to cosmic rays, as Quantas flight QF72 did in 2008 when a software bug caused the plane to pitch sharply downward, injuring many passengers?
Despite the claims of science fiction, “intelligent” computers behave worse than do knuckle-headed people, who may use free will to make a sensible choice.
Oklahoma City, US
