The Politics of Machine Testing
To understand the popularity of computerised testing machines, one must understand the structure of medical insurance and academic research. In many medical claims, legal liability is on much more solid foundation if one can produce impressive figures which appear to give precise details of the human body. Production of the most convincing sets of graphically and mathematically analysed data wins cases and makes money for someone.
Similary, medical and sporting research using such machines as a sort of universal “Rolls Royce” standard can create numerous publications, attract big sponsorships, increase departmental size and enhance university reputations. One again, a money and status motive emerges. This is not to say that machine research is all contrived and useless: it is not. However, in many cases, far cheaper means of research, including the use of free weights, field tests and relatively inexpensive tests with existing university engineering apparatus, are possible. Unfortunately, the successful marketing of such devices has created an aura of mystique and quality perfection about them and research which uses other means does not seem to carry the same weight.
Thus, even though the lowly Volkswagen probably was much more reliable and efficient than the Mercedes Benz, the latter vehicle with its great running and maintenance costs, became a status symbol because of marketing propaganda.
