$1.$You have most likely heard of the Liebeck v$.$ McDonald$$s case. Liebeck spilled hot McDonald$$s coffee in her lap, suffering third degree burns. At trial, evidence showed that her cup of coffee was brewed at $190$ degrees, and that, more typically, a restaurant$$s $$hot coffee$$ is in the range of $140160$ degrees. A jury awarded Liebeck $$160,000$ in compensatory damages and $$2\mathrm{.}7$ million in punitive damages. The judge reduced the punitive award to $$480,000,$ or three times the compensatory award. Comment on the case, and whether the result was reasonable.

$2.$Self$-$driving cars are no longer science fiction. These vehicles are programmed to use lasers, sensors$,$ software, and maps to drive themselves. A handful of states have passed laws allowing driverless technology on the road. But what happens when a driverless car harms someone? Who should be at fault? The passenger? The programmer? The manufacturer?