Wednesday, September 22, 2010

BP portraying Deepwater Horizon explosion as a "Normal Accident"...unknowingly calls for end of drilling

While reading last week's issue of Time magazine, I came across this explanation of BP's pitch attempting to explain the recent accident in the Gulf:
"Following a four-month investigation, BP released a report Sept. 8 that tried to divert blame from itself to other companies -- including contractors like Transocean -- for the April 20 explosion that sank the Deepwater Horizon rig, killing 11 people and resulting in the worst oil spill in U.S. history. A team of investigators cited 'a complex and interlinked series of mechanical failures, human judgement' and 'engineering design' as the ultimate cause of the accident."
Though to some it may come off as a naive "it's not our fault" strategy, the reality (and consequence) is a lot more interesting. I've spoken before about the concept of a "Normal Accident", but let's define it again:
Normal Accident Theory: When a technology has become sufficiently complex and tightly coupled, accidents are inevitable and therefore in a sense 'normal'. 
Accidents such as Three Mile Island and a number of others, all began with a mechanical or other technical mishap and then spun out of control through a series of technical cause-effect chains because the operators involved could not stop the cascade or unwittingly did things that made it worse. Apparently trivial errors suddenly cascade through the system in unpredictable ways and cause disastrous results.
What BP is saying is that their systems are so "complex and interlinked" that they were unable to avert the disaster. In a sense, they are arguing that disaster was inevitable. If "Normal Accident Theory" can be believed, BP is indirectly suggesting deep water oil drilling should be abandoned:
"This way of analysing technology has normative consequences: If potentially disastrous technologies, such as nuclear power or biotechnology, cannot be made entirely 'disaster proof', we must consider abandoning them altogether. 
Charles Perrow, the author of Normal Accident Theory, came to the conclusion that "some technologies, such as nuclear power, should simply be abandoned because they are not worth the risk".
Where do I sign?

18 comments:

  1. Even if accidents are normal, or even inevitable, that doesn't necessarily mean that the technology or process should be abandoned. It's important to take into consideration the relative frequency and magnitude of the negative effects as well as the positive effects.

    Highway accidents are normal, but very few are in favor of banning automobiles because the positive effects of increased mobility outweigh the massive losses of life.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Coach Outlet http://www.coachstoreoutlet.us.org

    Christian Louboutin Shoes http://www.christianlouboutinshoe.eu.com

    Valentino Shoes http://www.valentinoshoes.eu.com

    Michael Kors Outlet http://www.michaelkorsoutlet.us.org

    Coach Factory Outlet http://www.coachfactoryoutlet.us.org

    Coach Outlet Online http://www.coachoutletonlinestore.us.org

    Coach Purses http://www.coachpurse.us.com

    Kate Spade Outlet http://www.katespadefactoryoutlet.us.com

    Toms Shoes http://www.toms-shoes.name

    Hermes Belts http://www.hermesbelts.us.org

    Louis Vuitton http://www.louisvuitton-outletstores.us.com

    Fendi Handbags http://www.fendibelt.us.com

    Giuseppe Shoes http://www.giuseppezanotti.eu.com

    Michael Kors Outlet http://www.michael-kors-outlet.us.com

    Stephen Curry Shoes http://www.stephencurryshoes.us.com

    Salomon Shoes http://www.salomonshoes.eu.com

    North Face Outlet http://www.northfacesoutlet.in.net

    Coach Outlet http://www.outletcoach.in.net

    North Face Outlet http://www.northfacesoutlet.us.com

    Burberry Outlet http://www.burberryoutletstore.us.org

    North Face Outlet http://www.north-faceoutlets.in.net

    North Face Jackets http://www.outletnorthface.in.net

    Skechers Shoes http://www.skechersshoes.us.com

    Toms Outlethttp://www.tomsoutletstore.us.org

    North Face Outlet http://www.northfacestoreoutlet.us.org

    Nike Air Max http://www.nikeoutlet.us.org

    Nike Hoodies http://www.nikehoodies.us.com

    Marc Jacobs Handbags http://www.marcjacobshandbags.name

    Marc Jacobs Outlet http://www.marcjacobsoutletstore.us.com

    Jimmy Choo Shoes http://www.jimmy-chooshoes.us.com

    Jimmy Choos http://www.jimmychoos.in.net

    Burberry Belt http://www.burberrybelt.us.com

    Louis Vuitton Belt http://www.louisvuitton-belt.com

    Salvatore Ferragamo http://www.ferragamo-belt.us.com

    Marc Jacobs Handbags http://marcjacobshandbagsoutlet.blog.com

    Lululemon Outlet http://www.lululemonsoutlet.us.com

    True Religion Outlet http://www.truereligion-outlets.in.net

    Tommy Hilfiger http://www.tommyhilfigeroutlet.us.com

    Michael Kors Outlet http://www.outletmichaelkors.eu.com

    Coach Outlet http://www.outletcoach.eu.com

    Red Bottoms http://www.redbottom.in.net

    Kevin Durant Shoes http://www.kevindurantshoes.us.org

    New Balance Outlet http://www.newbalanceoutlet.in.net

    Adidas Outlet http://www.adidasoutlet.in.net

    Coach Outlet Online http://www.coachoutlet-online.eu.com

    Stephen Curry Jersey http://www.stephencurryjersey.us.com

    Vans Outlet http://www.vansoutlet.us.com

    Ralph Lauren Outlet http://www.ralphlauren-outletstore.in.net

    True Religion Outlet http://www.true-religionoutlets.in.net

    ED Hardy Outlet http://www.edhardyoutlet.in.net

    North Face Outlet http://www.northfaceoutlet.eu.com

    UGG Outlet http://www.uggoutlet.us.org

    UGG Outlet http://www.outletugg.in.net

    North Face Outlet http://www.northface--outlet.us.com

    Ugg Boots Sale http://www.uggbootssale.in.net

    UGGS For Women http://www.uggsforwomen.us.com

    Skechers Go Walk http://www.skechersgowalk.us.com

    Adidas Yeezy Boost http://www.adidasyeezyboost.in.net

    Adidas Yeezy http://www.adidasyeezy.us.com

    Adidas NMD http://www.adidas-nmd.us.org

    Coach Outlet http://www.coachoutletinc.us.com

    ReplyDelete
  3. I was very impressed by this post, this site has always been pleasant news. Thank you very much for such an interesting post. Keep working, great job! In my free time, I like play game: redball4games.com. What about you?

    ReplyDelete
  4. http://www.yeezyboost350.us.com/yeezy-350-boost-v2-c-26/ Yeezy Boost 350 V2 Zebra

    http://www.vapor-max.org/ VaporMax

    http://www.spinnerfidgettoy.us/ Spinner Fidget Toy

    http://www.raybanoutletclearance.com/ Ray Ban Outlet

    http://www.yeezy-boost350v2.com/ Yeezy Boost 350 V2

    http://www.nfljerseys.us/ Cheap NFL Jerseys

    http://www.longchampbags.us.com/ Longchamp Handbags

    http://www.yeezyboost350.us.com/ Yeezy Boost 350 V2

    http://www.adidas-uk.org.uk/ Adidas

    http://www.vapor-max.com/ Air Max Shoes

    http://www.yeezy-shoes.us.com/ Yeezy

    http://www.raybansunglasses.ca/ Ray Ban Sunglasses

    http://www.yeezys.org/ Yeezys

    http://www.yeezyboost-350.org.uk/ Yeezy Boost 350 V2

    http://www.kade-sapde.us.com/ Kade Sapde

    http://www.adidasoutlets.us.com/ Adidas Outlet

    http://www.nike-stores.fr/ Nike Store

    http://www.adidas-outlet.in.net/ Adidas Outlet

    http://www.underarmouroutlet.us.com/ Under Armour

    http://www.timberlanduk.org.uk/ Timberland

    http://www.jordan12.us/ Jordan 12

    http://www.nikeairmax.us/ Air Max

    http://www.outlettoms.us/toms-women-c-1/ Toms Outlet

    http://www.ultraboostuncaged.us/ Ultra Boost

    http://www.mlb-jerseys.us/ MLB Jerseys

    http://www.adidas-nmds.com/ Adidas NMD R1

    http://www.oakleyoutlet.net.co/ Oakley Outlet

    http://www.katespadeoutlets.us/ Kate Spade Outlet

    http://www.adidas-outlet.org/ Adidas Outlet

    http://www.nikeairmax-90.com/ Nike Air Max 90

    http://www.vapor-max.com/ Vapor Max

    http://www.timberland-outlet.us/ Timberland Outlet

    http://www.adidas-nmd.org.uk/ Adidas NMD

    http://www.adidaseqt.com/ Adidas EQT

    http://www.ralphlaurens.org.uk/ Ralph Lauren

    http://www.tomsoutlet-online.us.com/ Toms Outlet

    http://www.jordan4.us/ Jordan 4

    http://www.cheapjordan-shoes.com/ Cheap Jordan

    http://www.adidasnmdoutlet.com/ Adidas NMD

    http://www.jordan-shoes.in.net/ Jordan Shoes

    http://www.katespadeoutlet.us.org/ Kate Spade Outlet

    http://www.longchamp-outlet.ca/ Longchamp Outlet

    http://www.adidasyeezy.org/ Adidas Yeezy

    http://www.adidasnmdsales.us/ Adidas NMD R1

    http://www.nike-airmax90.com/ Nike Air Max 90

    http://www.running-shoes.top/ Running shoes

    http://www.starboots.us/ Basketball Shoes

    http://www.michael-kors-bags.us/ Michael Kors bags

    http://www.yeezy-outlet.us/ Adidas Yeezy outlet

    http://www.asics.us.com/ Asics

    http://www.coach-online.us/ Coach Factory Outlet

    http://www.vapor-max.com/ Cheap Nike Shoes 2017

    http://www.timberland-outlets.org/ Timberland outlet

    http://www.jordan-air.us/ Air Jordan

    http://www.adidasyeezy.org/ Adidas Yeezy

    http://www.nikeairvapormax.top/ Nike VaporMax

    http://www.airmaxvapor.com/ Air Maxvapor

    ReplyDelete
  5. Thanks for sharing the information. It is very useful for my future. keep sharing

    potaup

    ReplyDelete
  6. It's ironic that the more open you are about how often you have a problem, the less often your users will think you really are down. Buy essay from us buy cheap getting construction loan service with the duty of writing of custom essay.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Thanks for this information! I think Second home it is a good for us Resin Bound Permeable Paving !)) I agree that your discovery is important to us! I have great news for you! Recommend for you

    ReplyDelete
  8. WE PROVIDE SEXY SMART BEAUTIFUL COLLEGE GIRLS, PUNJABI, KASHMIRI, RUSSIAN, AIRHOSTESS AND RAMP MODELS CALL GIRLS 24 HRS SERVICE...

    escort service in jaipur
    escort service in jaipur
    escort service in ajmer

    call girl in jaipur
    call girl in jaipur
    call girl in ajmer

    ReplyDelete
  9. hi.. hey .. using this development software is easy and simple to put refinance with bad credit it on the selection of the most popular amateurs or professionals write my essay, hoping to start their career in the app development field.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I have read you post, Great work you really did it very well. Keep working like this and sharing informative posts like
    this one. keep it up. I'm waiting for your next post...
    edmonton real estate board

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great tips I have noted all in my diary I'll use your all tips as you mentioned I really like your article I was searching on this topic as I'm working on this topics too. you can see my work but yours is too good I personally appreciate you for this. Keep working like this.thatshirt.com

    ReplyDelete
  12. a pride for me to be able to discuss on a quality website because I just learned to make an article on
    cara menggugurkan kandungan

    ReplyDelete
  13. I really loved reading your blog. I also found your posts very interesting. In fact after reading, I had to go show it to my friend and he ejoyed it as well!
    run3.me
    Basketballlegendsgame.com

    ReplyDelete

Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.