fear as a motivator

i'm not a big fan of some lawyers chasing frivolous lawsuits...
but sometimes the threat of lawsuits can compel better behavior...

i'm on the record as being against the 'get-outta-jail-free' rules the software industry seemingly grants itself. i believe these industry standards lead to worse product.

similarly, internet security guy bruce schneider tells the uk register that internet service providers should be held responsible for some of the bad stuff happening in their sphere of control.“

It’s about externalities – like a chemical company polluting a river – they don’t live downstream and they don’t care what happens. You need regulation to make it bad business for them not to care. You need to raise the cost of doing it wrong.” Schneier said there was a parallel with the success of the environmental movement – protests and court cases made it too expensive to keep polluting and made it better business to be greener.

the fear of liability may cause changes for the better.

¶ - nitish @ 9:59 AM