I'd argue that there's more good than bad about algorithmic trading. People making decisions based on fear and adrenaline is much more dangerous than setting a pre-determined course and sticking to a mathematical model. Besides, it's not like they just set up these programs and forget about them. If there's some sort of flaw in the algorithm the trader isn't just going to bang his head into the wall while he loses millions; he's going to fix the algorithm.