SilverBullets

Magic wands that can be be waved to fix "The Problem." Not to be confused with finding a real solution.

One definition. What are some others?

CharlesAdams 2004.03.12

The more visceral image is that of the magic talisman that you use to slay the snarling, drooling werewolf that's clawing its way through your door.

DaveSmith 2004.03.12

Dave, I think that's not a door, but a mirror. In the end, the werewolf always turns out to be the same person who was so desperate for a silver bullet.

DaleEmery 2004-03-12

Many of us do have moments of wanting to be put out of our misery. Every method of driving back complexity--silver bullet or otherwise--lets us get ourselves further in over or head the next time out.

DaveSmith 2004.03.12

When I think of a "Silver Bullet", I think of that which will slay the vampire.

What is the vampire we want to slay? What is sucking our blood, leaving us dried out and/or dead ... or transforming us into one of the undead, so we can feed off the blood of others? Are these the options -- be killed or become a killer?

Interesting to me, I've also read of the association between vampires and the upper classes, the aristocracy. To what extent can we see those in charge as members of a 'blood sucking aristocracy'?

OR, are they members of an 'aristocracy' only in that they can find someone else to blame for the 'problem', and come out seeming somewhat clean?

Ah well... it may be effecting the way I think that I am waiting for my tax program to download as I am writing this...

Nonetheless, is the 'silverbullet' ever used against those in charge, or just FOR them?

DianeGibson, 3-13-04

I offer not my own definition, but Fred Brooks:

"Of all the monsters that fill the nightmares of our folklore, none terrify more than werewolves, because they transform unexpectedly from the familiar into horrors. For these, one seeks bullets of silver that can magically lay them to rest.
The familiar software project, at least as seen by the non-technical manager, has something of this character; it is usually innocent and straightforward, but is capable of becoming a monster of missed schedules, blown budgets, and flawed products. So we hear desperate cries for a silver bullet--something to make software costs drop as rapidly as computer hardware costs do."

Brooks, Frederick P., "No Silver Bullet: Essence and Accidents of Software Engineering", Computer Magazine, April 1987, the first two paragraphs.

posted by MikeMelendez 2004.03.14

A seminal article, and one well worth the effort of finding and reading, even 17 years later.

DaveSmith 2004.03.15

Don't forget the Lone Ranger. He used silver bullets as symbols of justice by law. The bullets were never used to kill.

We need more bullets like the Lone Ranger's rather than the kind that are supposed to kill the vampire but never do.

SteveSmith 2004.03.15

There are too many PhonySilverBullets. Let's talk about them.

SteveSmith 2004.03.15

Updated: Tuesday, March 16, 2004