Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login

It's a bit ambiguous and depends on context, which is why I said 'at least in CS', since for whatever the particular topic is 'safe' and 'unsafe' is likely to have a fairly strict meaning.

In general you're right. For safety it's just that 'safest' implies some sort of practicality: the best - most safe - from a set of options. But the safest option isn't necessarily strictly safe.

(Say your dog's stuck on a roof on a windy day, you decide the safest option is scaffolding (safer than a ladder or free climbing), but it's not safe, you just insist on rescuing your dog.)




Consider applying for YC's Spring batch! Applications are open till Feb 11.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: