The Atomic Elephant: The Xe Pian Lao dam failure of July 2018

Review by Paul Feyerabend, late 20th century philosopher of science and author of "Against method".

...a detailed, well presented, superbly argued and absolutely fascinating account of one episode in the continuing interaction between science, technology, the law and the public interest. It once and for all puts to rest the idea that science uses a well defined and unambiguous method and speaks with a single voice. It makes it clear that experts participating in and testifying before a public forum are often outside their domain of expertise and therefore speak as laypersons, not as experts.....it shows how even very abstract considerations are influenced by the character and the temperament of those producing them. Required reading for historians of science and technology, philosophers of science, regulatory commissions....

Tuesday, August 13, 2019

The Xe Pian Lao dam failure of July 2018