News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

A comment on Public Relations Company for Big Pharma Now “Embedding” Employees at CDC. Parent comment

Re:Public Relations Company for Big Pharma Now “Embedding” E... by ceejayoz on Saturday October 15, 2022 @03:04PM (#33217605)
Yes, that's what you do when there are a lot of unknowns. You make an educated guess, based on the available information.

Some were wrong, like discouraging masking. Others were correct. Getting them all correct would've required a time machine.

IT folks should understand this pretty well. "Reboot your computer, it might help" is a recommendation based on weak knowledge, made with a wealth of experience behind it.

[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Public Relations Company for Big Pharma Now “Embedding” E... by peteradio on Saturday October 15, 2022 @04:13PM (#33218203)
Weak evidence calls for more research not mandates in a free nation. If I wasn't sure if my prescription for fixing your computer would cause data loss or some other harm I might recommend you hold off or that we explore other options.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Public Relations Company for Big Pharma Now “Embedding” E... by ceejayoz on Saturday October 15, 2022 @04:29PM (#33218310)
This thinking is great when you're not in an emergency. Less so when things are time-critical. Inaction has its own risks; in your analogy, rebooting and not rebooting have a risk of data loss, and our educated guess is that rebooting is the safer choice.
[ Parent | on HN ]
Re:Public Relations Company for Big Pharma Now “Embedding” E... by peteradio on Saturday October 15, 2022 @06:42PM (#33219325)
A more accurate analogy would be a cold call from an non-reputable source demanding you download and install a nightly patch which fixes a feature you don't have installed. And when you say NO! They contact your employer on linkedin and demand they fire you.
[ Parent | on HN ]