[luc4sdreyer]

> the high velocities of steam locomotives might kill you

This obviously seems silly in hindsight. Warnings about radium watches or asbestos sound less silly, or even wise. But neither had any solid scientific studies showing clear hazard and risk. Just people being good Bayesian agents, trying to ride the middle of the exploration vs. exploitation curve.

Maybe it makes sense to spend some percentage of AI development resources on trying to understand how they work, and how they can fail.

[MrBuddyCasino]

> Warnings about radium watches or asbestos sound less silly, or even wise. But neither had any solid scientific studies showing clear hazard and risk.

In the case of asbestos, this is incorrect. Many people knew it was deadly, but the corporations selling it hid it for decades, killing thousands of people. There are quite a few other examples besides asbestos, like leaded fuel or cigarettes.

[ripe]

> This [steam locomotives might kill you] obviously seems silly in hindsight.

To be fair, many people did die on level crossings and by wandering on to the tracks.

We learned over time to put in place safety fences and tunnels.

[Gracana]

People thought that the speed itself was dangerous, that the wind and vibration and landscape screaming by at 25mph would cause physical and mental harm.