Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : Foreign Affairs Discussion Group -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: Bilow who wrote (131703)	5/6/2004 10:03:58 AM
From: carranza2	Respond to of 281500

This is best done without the lawyers present. In the case of the backwards installed load bearing beams, the engineer could have done a number of things that would have reduced the probability of this particular error, such as: (a) not using components that are easily confused, (b) adding notes that indicate that they must be installed carefully, (c) providing for a test plan to measure the structure's resistance to failure, (d) writing an inspection plan for this sort of eventuality, (e) actually inspecting the building as it was being built, (f) adding fabrication holes in the component so that they cannot be installed upside down, etc. Sure, absolutely. The case now involves issues such as the ones you present, but the simplistic notion that the "engineer did it because the building failed" is out the window, and the contractor has a lot of explaining to do, i.e., if he thought the plans were ambiguous, why did he not seek guidance, especially since my client's contract did not require him to perform construction supervision, etc., etc., ad nauseum. I presented the case briefly and succinctly simply to illustrate the point that what might appear to be a perfectly reasonable factual conclusion at the outset could be totally wrong, that the world is a lot more complex than we expect, and that we should never jump to conclusions on scanty information whenever complex issues are involved--especially if the information comes from the mainstream media--vbg. Unfortunately, most people lead with their pre-cognitive chins. Conclusions are often based upon what their biases suggest should be the case.