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Volume 8 Issue 2

From The Editor

Dear VCE Readers

As engineers, we are rather comfortable with shattering notions of possibility. Thus, a natural part of our job is dealing with their unexpected consequences. In spite of our best intentions and the most meticulous planning, we can never fully understand how certain aspects of our work will impact the world until they have been put out there.

We should always look to smooth out any harms as early as possible, but some things only become clear in hindsight. That means that innovating is only half of an engineer’s job; the other half is all reflection. We must always ask ourselves if our work is as safe, efficient, and reliable as possible. If it falls short in any way, we are bound to remedy it to the best of our ability.

This is the aspect of engineering that VCE deals with. The following papers all aim to resolve such shortcomings in our discipline.


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What is VCE?

Viterbi Conversations in Ethics is an educational forum for reasoned, informed, and relevant discussion of engineering ethics. Written, edited, and published by USC Viterbi School of Engineering students, Viterbi Conversations in Ethics will publish exceptional student work and responses, counter-points, and new perspectives from both peers and professionals.

How Are Our Articles Made?

Our articles are written by Viterbi’s own diverse student body. We gather outstanding papers from students enrolled in Viterbi’s Engineering Writing Program. After a rigorous selection process, we edit and publish the papers that we believe bring the most to the conversation.

Outside of the main magazine, our talented editors create Weekly News Profiles, which highlight ethical concerns in current events.