Human Error in Technology

I feel that one of the main disadvantages to technology is the way that humans use it, mainly because of the errors made when using it. Kim Vicente’s “The Human Factor” also agrees with this. She states, “Never before in the history of human civilization have we so quickly amassed so much knowledge of science, mathematics and engineering, and never before have we seen tremendous advances in technology.” (Vicente 14) I feel like Vicente is saying that because technology is becoming so advanced so fast it is impossible for anyone to keep up. I feel that it was a good idea for her to use different examples of human error. The examples went from technology as powerful as mistakes in a nuclear power plant to having an unorganized work schedule. It seems like a tragedy-- that no matter how extreme or normal technology is human error can occur when using it which may lead and has lead to fatal accidents.
“More and more, we’re being asked to live with technology that is technically reliable, because it was created to fit our knowledge of the physical world, but that is so complex or so counterintuitive that it’s actually unusable by most human beings.” (Vicente 17) I feel that is quote what connects Vicente to Kurt Vonnegut’s “Cat’s Cradle”. Mainly because I feel that both authors understand scientists have the knowledge and tools to create just about anything but should they? He shows this by exploring the life of Dr. Felix Hoenikker. He is able to show that Dr. Hoenikker had the talents to create something as powerful as the atomic bomb but how it morally made him because his ‘talent’ affected the rest of the world. It also showed that because Dr. Hoenikker created the atomic bomb what else could he have made.
I feel that Kim Vicente’s ideas on technology were clearer than Kurt Vonnegut’s. This may be because Vicente talked more about particular pieces of technology and how error is has been made with them. It is just clear when you read her chapter “The Human Factor” that she is wondering if all this consequences to advancements in technology is worth the advantages. Whereas with Vonnegut’s ideas he refers just to the atomic bomb or ice-nine so you don’t know exactly how he feels on things that aren’t as powerful as that. So therefore, I get the idea in my head that he sees technology as destructive. I want to read more of “Cat’s Cradle” to maybe to get some answers to my questions about it. For example, why is he only concentrating on the atomic bomb, or more importantly on what Dr. Hoenikker’s family was doing on the day the bomb was used. As I continue to read though I can connect Vicente’s idea on the human factor more and more with Vonnegut’s story and I feel like I will be able to continue to do so with the rest of the novel.