woodsurgin

In a way, this is an indictment of our education system that we could produce jurors who are so ignorant of reality, and a judge who is so, apparently removed from reality, to even allow this case to proceed. May God help us.
The airbag comparison doesn't make total sense in that operating an automobile, you are dealing with the interaction of other vehicles. You are more in control of the operation of the tablesaw.
We have taken shop classes out our our schools for whatever reasons. We want to create a society where we cannot be injured. This isn't reality. The purposes of shop classes is many fold. For those going into the trades it is obvious. For those going into management, art, politics, or whatever non related field, it is important to understand what has to happen to transform a piece of wood into a finished product and the content of the work involved. From whatever standpoint you are coming from, this is valuable.
Our education system, and the lack of parents' teaching their kids about physical reality, has produced jurors who are removed from reality.
When we turn on any power tool, we need to make sure our brains are connected to our hands.
I am glad to see the introduction of the riving knife and guards which still allow you to see the blade. My worst tablesaw injury was the result of kickback, which a riving knife would have prevented.
Mr. Gasses saws are extremely well built, but won't substitute for our not using our brains.

Back to a simple approach. I remember when my Dad's table saw made everything in the shop. With the usual caution that one should use, this should be a great method. A sharp blade would be a must.

I am happy to see the possible return of woodshop to the schools.
If we put the students in a mindset that they cannot get hurt because of the inherent safety of the Sawstop, then what happens when the go on and to use tools not so equipped. When I had shop at Reavis HIgh School, near Chicago, the paramount thing we were taught was safety. No tool was safe. We were taught an approach that worked well on any power tool. Their approach was that we were going to learn about safety first. What I have learned has, I'm sure, saved me from injury many times since being in high school in the 50's. You must approach the use of any tool, power or hand, that they can hurt you if you are not paying attention. There is a real danger of today's mindset that we are think we can create environments where you cannot get hurt.

I don't think there is much danger of kickback with this method as the tenon is so close to the end of the board. I like this as it gives clean edge to fit into the mortise. The only caveat, as was mentioned, is to get repeatability when butting up to the rip fence and make sure you are firmly agains the crosscut guide.

My only table saw injury was kickback. No, it was not reported. Sawstop would not have prevented this. my worst injury was to the tip of my finger on my jointer.
It is a sign of this generation to make everything like a Fisher Price toy.
one of the best cautions I remember was "Be careful, we don't have insurance.
I retired from a major aerospace foundry. Their approach was when someone got injured, the tool was taken away from them.
Where do we stop?

It is sad there are so few schools teaching shop. One of benefits I have not forgotten in 50 years since high school is the emphasis on safety. We learned safety as a mindset. I still think of safety zones, letting machines wind down, and unplugging tools before changing bits. I agree with the comment that the safest tools can be the most dangerous.
With routing, everything is clamped down. I always am paying attention to router rotation as I have had the closest calls with climb cuts.

Although the Saw-stop technology will definitely prevent cut fingers, it does nothing in itself to prevent kickback, and other possibilities for injury.
The danger is that this technology may inadvertently lead people to think the saw is suddenly "totally safe" and may cause cautions to be set aside. I never use my table saw without saying to myself, "this machine is dangerous, pay attention and watch the fingers".
I refer to the cautions that Fine Woodworking Magazine has in each issue.
"Woodworking is inherently dangerous".

F Ben Kautz
FBK Enterprises
Whitehall Michigan