[sdiy] Can your *really* teach "Engineering"?

[David G. Dixon]

I'm not anti-technology; far from it! I think we live in a glorious age,
partly due to technology (and also due to the enlightenment thinkers of the
16th, 17th and 18th centuries who laid the philosophical groundwork for our
modern institutions and notions of personal liberty, etc, etc).

However, let's look at your list: agriculture (feeding people), sanitation
(keeping people clean, comfortable and healthy) and medicine (keeping people
healthy and improving quality of life).  All these things are in the service
of a better life.  For what?  Just to live longer?  No.

What gets you up in the morning, and keeps you up at night?  Your passions!
If these include technology, then so be it.  The important thing isn't the
substance of your passions, but the fact that they are passions in the first
place.  Technology without passion is just more junk in the landfill!

> >...Yes, modern technology is fantastic, but only because it
> >facilitates the communication of ideas and expression.
> 
> I can only laugh when I see anti-technology rants posted on the Internet.
> 
> I think your definition of technology's benefits is far too narrow
> though. You left out agriculture, sanitation, medicine, and more.
> (But don't get me wrong -- there are plenty of bad aspects, also,
> including in the areas that I just mentioned.)