zlacker

I did an engineering degree but I have to say, the ethics imparted on me were basically “be diligent and don’t build anything that harms people by accident” which… really ought to be, like, table stakes for living in society, right?

>>bee_ri+(OP)
As you've stated the oath, it's certainly glib, but it's not table stakes because it's not a mere commitment to good intentions or a kind heart. Engineering ethics are not a commitment to good intentions. To take that pledge seriously, you need to be able to trace all your requirements and consequences in order to analyze, prevent and verify you've prevented potential danger without breaking what you've built. Most people in society would not succeed at this.

>>bee_ri+(OP)
It ought to be but it's not. Plenty of sociopaths out there who think nothing of poisoning children with heavy metals in toys if it's cheaper. How many businesses neglected software system security, only to compromise the personal information of thousands, millions of people? It's not like there are consequences. As far as I know, no one was ever arrested.