[rrradical]

Wouldn't it be a better use of his life to work to make sure that sort of accident never happens again? Maybe he changes the culture that led to his incompetence. Maybe he tutors young architects and teaches them to learn from his mistake. I think someone that makes such a huge mistake is actually in a very powerful position to salvage something from it.

[bentcorner]

You're probably right, but personally if I was in that situation I don't think I'd be able to go through the mental hoops required to forgive myself.

Every morning, I'd wake up and remember what I'd done. The pain would be unimaginable.

[marcosdumay]

Anyway, once it's done, anything good you do later is a net positive.

It's not like one can change the past.

[tekromancr]

This is how I like to think that people who design software for weapons systems live.

[lmm]

Really?

I've written guidance code. A missile that doesn't go where you point it is a deadweight loss; while it might be best if they weren't fired at all, it's better they hit their intended targets than random (probably civilian) victims.

[tekromancr]

Absolutely, but If no one could reliably aim their bombs, would they fire them?

[lmm]

Probably. The V2s couldn't hit a smaller target than "London", so that's where they fired them.