In addition, it's not as if those other activities actually exhibit many fewer mistakes than software does. Cars get recalled all the time for small things that slipped through the design and testing phases. Your average book has a number of typos on first printing. The difference is that cars are usually designed with enough redundant features that they can deal with minor flaws and book typos inconsequential enough that people are willing to accept them without any coaxing.
Software is different not just because it is more complex, but because computers are much more finicky than roads and people. A logic flaw in software can cost millions; an equivalent flaw in a book will likely never be noticed.
Software is different not just because it is more complex, but because computers are much more finicky than roads and people. A logic flaw in software can cost millions; an equivalent flaw in a book will likely never be noticed.