March, 2011 Archives

Math and Psychology – Calculating Disaster Probabilties

March 18th, 2011 Permalink

Normally, math and psychology are separate fields, but they come together in calculating the odds of a nuclear disaster. You can hire engineers to calculate the probably of a nuclear meltdown. The calculation itself is a math question, but getting them to do a good job is a psychological question. What if their boss is […]

Normally, math and psychology are separate fields, but they come together in calculating the odds of a nuclear disaster. You can hire engineers to calculate the probably of a nuclear meltdown. The calculation itself is a math question, but getting them to do a good job is a psychological question. What if their boss is evil? What if there is disagreement and the corporation suppresses the bad reports? The drug industry also has a problem with companies suppressing reports.

Jurassic Park Nuclear Power Plants

March 18th, 2011 Permalink

One of the complaints about the original Jurassic Park movie was “Who would design a zoo where if the power failed, the animals would escape?” I have the same question about nuclear power plants. Who would design nuclear power plant such that if the power failed, the plant would blow up?

One of the complaints about the original Jurassic Park movie was “Who would design a zoo where if the power failed, the animals would escape?” I have the same question about nuclear power plants. Who would design nuclear power plant such that if the power failed, the plant would blow up?