XPost: rec.arts.sf.written, rec.arts.sf.science   
   From: dtravel@sonic.net   
      
   On 1/16/2014 7:36 AM, Bernard Peek wrote:   
   > On 14/01/14 18:25, Doc O'Leary wrote:   
   >> So while self-driving cars are definitely possible, my point remains   
   >> that they'll be ushered in surrounded by a cloud of changes to the way   
   >> the world works.  Some of those changes will be easy to predict, and   
   >> some with be complete surprises.  It's just outright*wrong*  if all you   
   >> do is apply today's thinking to a world where a fanciful technology is   
   >> commonplace.   
   >   
   > I could probably put together a design for self-driving cars that could   
   > be built with today's technology.   
      
   If you really can, why haven't any of the many companies working on   
   doing so been able to?   
      
   > What I can't see is a transition state   
   > where some cars are self-driving and others aren't. I think it might   
   > have to be a big-bang transition where from 00:00 on day zero all cars   
   > are required to have all of the systems in place and operational. Cars   
   > (and other vehicles) without the system become museum pieces literally   
   > overnight. It might be simpler (and cheaper) to build a completely new   
   > system and scrap every existing vehicle rather than trying to retrofit   
   > vehicles that were not designed to be self-driving.   
   >   
   Never.   
      
   Going.   
      
   To.   
      
   Happen.   
      
   --   
   The 'Enterprise' crew in the 2009 Star Trek are adrenaline addicted,   
   hyper-active teenagers with ADD whose Ritalin got replaced with   
   methamphetamine, displaying a level of discipline that a Somali pirate   
   wouldn't tolerate.   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)