Originally Posted by
transportbiz
I I.E. that the engines were mounted forward on the wings causing an upward push (which I don't understand either, as wouldn't this cause a downward push?)
The engines are below the center line of the airplane, or more technically, below the center of gravity (CG). The may now also be farther ahead of the CG. The uncentered thrust tries to rotate the aircraft about the CG. It is like a car with a bad wheel alignment that wants to pull you into the ditch every time you stomp the throttle. To compensate, you need to steer crooked. The problem on the MAX is that the correct amount of needed crookedness varies depending on flight conditions.
Dumbing this down: Does this basically mean Boeing tried to fix a physics problem with electronics? If so, isn't it inevitable every so often physics will win?
Fighter aircraft are intentionally built unstable for more nimble handling. Computer control can compensate - if done correctly.