wmw999 2,589 #1 February 26, 2003 I'm not one, although I play one occasionally. But this was sent me by an engineer friend, and it does kind of resonate. Wendy W. Quote “In Praise of the Guys in Skinny Black Ties” By Dan Neal, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Tuesday, February 4, 2003 Like children frightened by a father's tears, we have to worry when engineers cry. Amid the weekend's terrible images -- the flaming shuttle, the blasted debris, the ruined families -- the one that troubled me most came from the most unlikely place: a news conference with the scientists in charge of the mission. Swallowing tears on Saturday, shuttle program director Ron Dittemore grappled with his grief before a devastated nation. "There's a certain amount of shock in our system," he said. "We have suffered the loss of seven family members." Granted, it was a mild reaction, given the circumstances. Oprah Winfrey can gnash more teeth over a set of sit-ups. But somehow the engineer's brave understatement cut deeper than “O” will ever go. When the guy with the pocket protector cries, when the catastrophe is so shattering that even the egghead cracks, we know instinctively that there's more at stake than personal loss. We never know why, never know exactly what's going on, but we know enough to fear that it might mean the end of the world as we know it. Because the world as we know it belongs to the engineers. They built the cars we drive, the roads we drive on. They designed the homes we live in, developed the crop system that keeps our bellies full. They invented the TVs we worship, the phones we yak on and every one of the silly or suddenly indispensable gadgets that prop up our lives. From umbrellas that save us from the rain to medical equipment that saves us from death, engineers are the ones who make our world possible. They do it without fanfare. They demand no pats on the head. And for their efforts, generally, we mock them. They can send a man to the moon, we gripe, but they can't make a VCR you can program, or a computer that doesn't crash, or a you-fill-in-the-blank. We don't know -- we aren't even interested in -- how VCRs, computers and "blanks" work, so we can't be expected to help solve these problems ourselves. But like teenagers tooling around in Dad's Corolla, we can make fun of the folks who feed us: Look at the geeks and pinheads in the skinny black ties, we say. They don't care about clothes, they never get dates, they aren't "in touch with their emotions." These guys are so out of it, we jeer, they think calculus is fun, and that studying and working are the only things worth doing in the world. And when that world breaks, of course, the engineers are the ones we blame -- and the ones we count on to fix it. While the rest of us stand by and wring our hands over the latest calamity, we expect them to get to work and make everything whole again. Usually, they do. Because, by nature, they are the fixers, the problem-solvers, the men and women behind the scenes who make the trains run on time, no matter how they might feel at the moment. They don't resent the role, they treasure it and believe in it -- believe with the indomitable optimism that keeps this country moving forward that no matter how bad things get, there's nothing that human ingenuity and hard work can't fix. "This is a bad day," chief flight director Milt Heflin said at the news conference, his eyes red with grief. "I'm glad that I work and live in a country where... when we have a bad day, we go fix it." We have no choice but to believe him. Yes, we're shaken when the ones who are supposed to be calm and logical and in control are reduced to tears, and, yes, we've had a bad day. But while people like us can't fix it; we know people like Milt Heflin probably can.There is nothing more dangerous than breaking a basic safety rule and getting away with it. It removes fear of the consequences and builds false confidence. (tbrown) Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
riggerrob 643 #2 February 26, 2003 Where would skydivers be without engineer geeks like Bill Booth or Bill Coe? Where would skydivers be without rigger geeks? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
diverdriver 7 #3 February 26, 2003 Engineers are people too. And we thank them. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
happythoughts 0 #4 February 26, 2003 An architect, an artist and an engineer were discussing whether it was better to spend time with the wife or a mistress. The architect said he enjoyed time with his wife, building a solid foundation for an enduring relationship. The artist said he enjoyed time with his mistress, because of the passion and mystery he found there. The engineer said, "I like both." "Both?" Engineer: "Yeah. If you have a wife and a mistress, they will each assume you are spending time with the other woman, and you can go to the lab and get some work done. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #5 February 26, 2003 I propose that every friday should henceforth be known as... "Buy an engineer a beer day" -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #6 February 26, 2003 QuoteI'm not one, although I play one occasionally. But this was sent me by an engineer friend, and it does kind of resonate. Wendy W. Quote “In Praise of the Guys in Skinny Black Ties” By Dan Neal, Palm Beach Post Staff Writer Tuesday, February 4, 2003 Like children frightened by a father's tears, we have to worry when engineers cry. Amid the weekend's terrible images -- the flaming shuttle, the blasted debris, the ruined families -- the one that troubled me most came from the most unlikely place: a news conference with the scientists in charge of the mission. Swallowing tears on Saturday, shuttle program director Ron Dittemore grappled with his grief before a devastated nation. "There's a certain amount of shock in our system," he said. "We have suffered the loss of seven family members." Granted, it was a mild reaction, given the circumstances. Oprah Winfrey can gnash more teeth over a set of sit-ups. But somehow the engineer's brave understatement cut deeper than “O” will ever go. When the guy with the pocket protector cries, when the catastrophe is so shattering that even the egghead cracks, we know instinctively that there's more at stake than personal loss. We never know why, never know exactly what's going on, but we know enough to fear that it might mean the end of the world as we know it. Because the world as we know it belongs to the engineers. They built the cars we drive, the roads we drive on. They designed the homes we live in, developed the crop system that keeps our bellies full. They invented the TVs we worship, the phones we yak on and every one of the silly or suddenly indispensable gadgets that prop up our lives. From umbrellas that save us from the rain to medical equipment that saves us from death, engineers are the ones who make our world possible. They do it without fanfare. They demand no pats on the head. And for their efforts, generally, we mock them. They can send a man to the moon, we gripe, but they can't make a VCR you can program, or a computer that doesn't crash, or a you-fill-in-the-blank. We don't know -- we aren't even interested in -- how VCRs, computers and "blanks" work, so we can't be expected to help solve these problems ourselves. But like teenagers tooling around in Dad's Corolla, we can make fun of the folks who feed us: Look at the geeks and pinheads in the skinny black ties, we say. They don't care about clothes, they never get dates, they aren't "in touch with their emotions." These guys are so out of it, we jeer, they think calculus is fun, and that studying and working are the only things worth doing in the world. And when that world breaks, of course, the engineers are the ones we blame -- and the ones we count on to fix it. While the rest of us stand by and wring our hands over the latest calamity, we expect them to get to work and make everything whole again. Usually, they do. Because, by nature, they are the fixers, the problem-solvers, the men and women behind the scenes who make the trains run on time, no matter how they might feel at the moment. They don't resent the role, they treasure it and believe in it -- believe with the indomitable optimism that keeps this country moving forward that no matter how bad things get, there's nothing that human ingenuity and hard work can't fix. "This is a bad day," chief flight director Milt Heflin said at the news conference, his eyes red with grief. "I'm glad that I work and live in a country where... when we have a bad day, we go fix it." We have no choice but to believe him. Yes, we're shaken when the ones who are supposed to be calm and logical and in control are reduced to tears, and, yes, we've had a bad day. But while people like us can't fix it; we know people like Milt Heflin probably can. I'll never forget reading about the NASA engineer who, after the Apollo 1 fire, drove his station wagon, with his entire family in it, into the path of an oncoming train."The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
kallend 2,150 #7 February 26, 2003 Quote I propose that every friday should henceforth be known as... "Buy an engineer a beer day" Mine's a Guinness, thank you.... The only sure way to survive a canopy collision is not to have one. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lizzieb 0 #8 February 26, 2003 Quote I propose that every friday should henceforth be known as... "Buy an engineer a beer day" ooh yes, i agree Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BikerBabe 0 #9 February 26, 2003 woohoo! I like that suggestion! When I was a geek in high school, my dad always told me: remember, engineers and scientists rule the world behind the scenes...Never meddle in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy and taste good with ketchup! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
billvon 3,120 #10 February 26, 2003 McMenamin's Ruby for me! Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Guest #11 February 26, 2003 Quote McMenamin's Ruby for me! McMenamin's Terminator Stout... "The mouse does not know life until it is in the mouth of the cat." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
PhreeZone 20 #12 February 26, 2003 When I was in high school I was reminded time after time that while the jocks made big money and fame very few times, geeks tended to make good money and no fame a lot of the time. I'd rather live with good money some of the time then live on Ramen noodles trying to be picked up by a scout Yesterday is history And tomorrow is a mystery Parachutemanuals.com Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Scratch 0 #13 February 27, 2003 I'll have a Kilkenny thanks Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
AggieDave 6 #14 February 27, 2003 Quote propose that every friday should henceforth be known as... "Buy an engineer a beer day Just 'cause you're an engineer...--"When I die, may I be surrounded by scattered chrome and burning gasoline." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nacmacfeegle 0 #15 February 27, 2003 Dagnabbit, I've been rumbled.... -------------------- He who receives an idea from me, receives instruction himself without lessening mine; as he who lights his taper at mine, receives light without darkening me. Thomas Jefferson Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
