The "Importance of Engineering"

            I read a blog article titled “Importance of Engineering” by Adam Symons. It takes a spin on its actual title and uses it as a political tool to emphasize the need for upgraded infrastructure in the United Kingdom.  We can essentially call it a remix on the topic as it is not called the “Importance of Engineering” to factually report the importance of engineering in the world, but used as an engine for an opinion by the author who is a politician. Politicians can usually be pretty persuasive in their opinions and will find all means necessary to be clever in addressing a large audience. The author talks about how the overuse of the word engineering has taken a toll on the academic discipline as people now feel it’s overvalued when it is really undervalued. The author also talks about that even with limited money, engineers can always find a way to do the job. Optimizing a solution is a big thing that engineers are known for. He goes onto talk about how we need to be looking at the money that is being spent and see if it can be better spent elsewhere.

            My response to this article overall is that it feels like a campaign speech. In other words, lack of facts, lots of highly positive opinion. There is only one fact stated in this entire “remix” and that is when the author goes onto to citing international research on a topic involving children and the quality of education linked to how well the teaching profession is received in the world. As a future engineer myself, I am not a fan of any opinion without substantial facts to back it up and if the author truly has a passion on the matter, they would put the time in to do the research. Here, I am just not making a connection with the author. Maybe instead of just saying “…many parts of Europe are far ahead of us in terms of infrastructure,” the author could display pictures making a comparison between the infrastructure of other countries and the UK. To me, that seems fair to the people that he is trying to sell his point. Overall, I do like the positive aspect of this article. I may not agree with the author on certain things, but it is important that the world knows the importance on the education of engineers. As engineers further our progress in the world (IE the engineers behind the US highway system, NASA, etc), the education they receive is more vital. This blog connects emotionally well with engineers, but does lack credibility on its claims.