I thought it tragically synchronistic: the relationship between the bonfire construction that killed the kids in Texas and our technological y2k issue. They built a tower too high, each year becoming greater and greater in size, using engineering expertise. They were careful; still it fell. A technological lesson, keep it simple.

-- simple simon (simpletimes@earth.net), November 19, 1999

Answers

and don't play on woodpiles

-- zoobie (zoobiezoob@yahoo.com), November 19, 1999.

Maybe ... for the sake of everyone ... let's let this tragedy rest for the day.

-- tim daniels (timdaniels@commonsense.com), November 19, 1999.

Simple,

You are wrong. It would be such a pretty analogy,too.

The bonfire is NOT built higher each year, in point of fact, the height has been officially limited to about half what it used to be for years now.

Oh, and this isn't a lab for New Ideas in Engineering, merely tried and true principles.

Will Huett, TAMU Class of '76

-- Will Huett (willhuett@usa.net), November 19, 1999.

That structure collapse was an example of a physical collapse triggered by "WHO KNOWS WHAT?" You think you know what you're doing, and maybe you do, usually. But all parameters are NEVER known, and sometimes one of the unknowns get you. What is true is that the bigger and more complicated a structure, the more likely that can go wrong.

Can an analogy be extended to the U.S. government and the U.S. and world money/credit/banking (MCB) system? And the huge interconnected computer network that is already running on the ragged edge without even including Y2K problems? My answer is yes. Buckle your seat belt.

BTW, I am not one of the bleeding hearts calling for a ban on constructing such log piles. Any errors or accidents have only a local impact. It is the STUDENTS' decision, not a bunch of demagogs'. Remember, stuff like that is FUN, especially to kids. Danger is IMMATERIAL. None of them, or us, is gonna live forever. (Don't get in your car tomorrow; outlaw cars if you are so concerned,)

The difference between the bonfire log pile and the MCB system is that OUR RULERS are subjecting us to a dangerous MCB system without FULL DISCLOSURE and INFORMED CONSENT.

-- A (A@AisA.com), November 19, 1999.

Thanks Will, I knew you would get to it before I did. By 1969, the Aggie bonfire had reached the enormous height of 109 feet, earning it a place in the Guiness Book of World Records. The very next year, the bonfire was restricted to 55 feet in height, as there were some major safety concerns. It has been 55 ft high since 1970.

BTW, the bonfire has been built the exact way it is today since 1947. These are the first fatalities related to it. Not a bad safety record, actually. The actual bonfire has been happening since 1909. No fatalities from 1909 to 1947, either, when it was built differently.

For some details on exactly how it is engineered (and to dispel the notion that it is a bunch of stupid kids who don't know how to do it) see my response on the earlier thread started by Gayla:

OT: Texas A & M Bonfire

or something like that, posted yesterday, sorry I don't know how to hotlink

Proud Member of the Class of '92

-- preparing--Class of '92 (preparing@home.com), November 19, 1999.

Anyone who dies in 1999 is gonna miss all the fun.

-- not really (sucha@bad.idea), November 21, 1999.