The Climb Was the Safety Feature
3 hours ago
- The EN 1176 standard for playgrounds bases fall protection on both platform height and the difficulty of ascent, with easier climbs requiring stronger barriers even at the same height.
- In software, the difficulty of shipping a working web app once served as a proxy for developer competence, but AI and modern tools now allow easy deployment without genuine expertise.
- The 'ladder' (e.g., AI) erodes this signal, making impressive output indistinguishable from climbed output, and the industry has not adjusted its safeguards accordingly.
- Fall height in software equals blast radius; high-risk systems (e.g., handling money or credentials) require greater protection, especially when access is made easier.
- Practical solutions include matching ladder accessibility to risk, building barriers like sandboxes or code reviews by experienced climbers, and ceasing to mistake impressive output for true competence.