From: utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!cbosgd!jcg
Newsgroups: net.movies
Title: Engineers (sheer, unadulterated flaming)
Article-I.D.: cbosgd.3322
Posted: Tue Mar 22 09:24:30 1983
Received: Wed Mar 23 08:55:22 1983


	"DON'T YOU THINK IT'S TIME ENGINEERS GOT SOME RECOGNITION"

	Mister Daniel W. Meeks has called for engineers getting an even break
in the positive publicity department.  Though it is true that engineers have
accumulated a bad reputation for unsocial traits over the years, Mister
Meeks, in his submission, shows us exactly why.
	Until engineers learn to speak, write and spell in their native
language (read that, communicate as normal human beings) they will always
be the brunt of jokes among the more clever sections of the intellectual
community.  Over the years, the common thread of all civilized, well-educated
men and women, has been, and will always be, the ability to communicate thoughts
and ideas to one another intelligently.  Many engineers (though not exclusively)
have distinct problems in this area.  From Mister Meeks' article, I suspect
he is a classic example.
	The argument that engineers are somehow different and do not need
to be well-versed in the use of their own language is vacuous.   What doctor,
lawyer, scientist, politician, teacher, warrior, nurse, inventor, etc. worth
their salt could not form a basic written sentence in their native language?
	Please Mister Meeks, spare me your pleas for pity.   As a Computer
Scientist, I have had to struggle to reverse the lazy attitudes taught to me
by narrow minded "engineer-types" concerning the importance of the world
beyond my terminal.  Communication, both verbal and written, is the
greatest part of my job now (though Applications and Systems software
continues to spew from my keyboard) and I laugh at those who claim an
engineer needs only technical skills.  Phooey!

			Working to save engineers from vanity,

			Jim Grams

P.S. Please move further discussion to net.lang or net.flame where it belongs.