All fall...

I've always admired the collective work of architects and engineers. While much of what they do is pedestrian, it is, literally, integral to the functioning of our society. We expect that airplane wings will stay attached in turbulence, that automobiles won't blow up if hit, that ocean liners won't sink in high seas, that buildings won't fall down in a storm.

This article is about an engineer who found that his design for a massive New York skyscaper was faulty, to the point that in a strong hurricane -- one that might be expected once every seventeen years -- the building could experience what engineers call a 'failure' -- and what non-engineers call a catastrophe. It could, in fact, collapse.

The article is a bit technical, but fascinating nonetheless, and a practical demonstration of ethical and professional behavior.