Should Authors be held liable for manslaughter - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / general

author: Deathwish
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 23, 2015, 10:43:09 pm
content: As a phd holder or some other recognised qualification who then decides to write a book on electronics or even some other field within their expertise, if upon reading the original text sent to the publisher and proven the error existed before printing and after proof reading should they be held responsible for errors in their books that lead to the death of a reader.

author: Muttley Snickers
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 23, 2015, 11:03:20 pm
content: But then there are these and probably a stack of others so I don't know. I will leave them small at this point or remove them if asked.

author: TheElectricChicken
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2015, 11:41:22 pm
content: Depends where you live as to how the legal system works. Some countries it's your own fault if you kill yourself. Other countries you can buy the justice system by paying lawyers, the more you pay, the more you get whatever you want, including blaming someone else who is clearly not responsible.Incidentally, I've never read a good review about those above books, now why is that ?

author: c4757p
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 23, 2015, 11:43:54 pm
content: Unless the person has only ever read one book and never sought any information by any other means either, good luck justifying and proving that it's the fault of the author of one book...

author: G7PSK
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2015, 07:29:23 am
content: Most if not all text books contain some legal disclaimer, such that if you build the ten kilovolt hundred amp power supply described in the book and should unfortunately connect the output terminals across any part of your anatomy or some other persons the author and publishers are not held responsible.

author: Halcyon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 24, 2015, 07:45:35 am
content: Short answer -- No.We already have too many warning labels on things. Let's leave it up to natural selection. Maybe mandate that 50c out of the sale of every 'instructional' book goes towards funerals of people killed in such accidents? :-)

author: Zero999
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2015, 08:08:47 am
content: Quote from: TheElectricChicken on August 23, 2015, 11:41:22 pmThat's a bit difficult if you're dead though.

author: con-f-use
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 24, 2015, 06:05:26 pm
content: So the question is not whetherwe thinktheyshouldheld responsible in some countries, rather than if they are in some places.I think if it is really reckless than,yesotherwiseno. It's not much different than causing a car accident. If I was drunk, driving too fast and had a badly maintained car, then I should be held responsible. If I got distracted for just a second because a bird flew into my side window, then no.

author: Simon
author_rank: Unknown
timestamp: August 24, 2015, 08:05:20 pm
content: I have one of the editions of projects for the evil genius and many involve high voltage, but on reading the explanation of the circuits i cringe.

author: CatalinaWOW
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2015, 09:41:38 pm
content: You have oversimplified the case. You found the error, and presumably notified the publisher. That doesn't mean that the publisher agreed to make the correction. So no, just on that basis. You also didn't say whether you used text in your book implying that everything you said was factually true, proven by experience and demonstration. So again, not legally responsible.A better question is probably-Should you feel guilty about such an error escaping?That gets out of arguing about different countries legal systems, and the different level of justice for those of different means, and who knew what when. It is just you and your conscience.It also let's you get into all sorts of nuances. Let's say that you discover the error just as the 3rd edition is going into print. What is your responsibility to those who purchased earlier editions? What about authors who plagiarized your work in those earlier editions? And so on down the rat hole.

author: Rick Law
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2015, 10:15:41 pm
content: A month ago, I recovered my 3rd 6-pack of 18650 from a laptop. After having done it twice, by the 3rd time, I was getting better and I was very pleased with my 3rd go around results. So, I was about to post "Savaging Laptop cells" from cutting open the pack to installing protection board - initially, my thoughts were, I can get some additional improvement suggestions for myself, and others with less experience can benefit from seeing what my mistakes were...Then, I had this picture in my mind of someone with a hammer and banging away and poof... "If it doesn't work the first time, try trying harder..." Some do take the "trying harder" too literally. My first go around, I didshort a cellor two during cutting. What if my post was the reason why someone decided to take the plunge and try to recover some cells but the result was a horrific accident?In a society where some can sue the coffee shop for the coffee being hot, laws become an impediment to everyday living let alone experience sharing. I can put in all the disclaimers I want, but... So, I decided to click "X" and got out.

author: gildasd
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: August 24, 2015, 10:15:56 pm
content: Better put Jules Verne's casket in the slammer then...In one of his books, one can find a detailed description on how to make nitroglycerine and transform it into a usable explosive using animal fat, heat and cotton.It was meant for children.