argument with the past
One of the books I have soared through lately speaks of the inherrent evils of the computer in engineering design. The book focuses around large-scale design, namely bridges, skyscrapers, jet aircraft, and other high-cost ventures. Point after point is made negating the positive effects of the computer as it is steadily incorporated into design. This book was also written in 1984.
The author notes that, “as more complex structures are design because it is believed that the computer can do what man cannot, then there is indeed an increased likelihood that structures will fail…”
I could not disagree more. Part of me feels idiotic for arguing the twenty-year-old written opinion of a professor, but the time and experience of which he was speaking does not justify his statement. I feel that he was decrying the computer long before it had primed. Think of the naysayers during the Wright brothers’ experiments with flight. Or the endless people who said we couldn’t transport humans a couple hundred thousand miles to the moon… and back… alive.
Granted, I also understand the aim of his comment. Amidst the recurring newsworthy engineering disasters of the late 70s and early 80s (Three-Mile Island disaster, DC-10 crash, Hyatt Regency collapse, Challenger explosion), engineering design was reaching a point at which creativity was shunned. Look at the American cars from that period, for example; the early 80s Mustangs were hideous, the Corvettes no better, but they certainly were safer (and heavier) than their lightweight ancestors. However, for someone to throw up a red flag to an entire industry of innovation long before the kinks and quirks had been worked out only reveals an insecurity for more grand discoveries and creations.
Engineering is best thought of as learning through iterative failure. That could be said of most things, actually, but especially for the area of design.
1984 was also the year of the Mac. And also the year that Orwell predicted we’d all be unconscious slaves to the government and controlling officials. Ha! we showed him… we clearly made it into the 90s before that happened.
It’s kind of strange arguing the past. Makes me feel like I’m digging up graves and writing words with dead men’s bones. Eeeewwww.
March 8th, 2005 at 7:07 pm
You’re talking about computer stuff. I don’t know computer stuff. Forgive, yes?
I LOVE “giving evolution a second chance”. Very nice. Like what you said on Dooce- sassy!
March 8th, 2005 at 8:09 pm
All is forgiven. Even for me there once was a time when I knew nothing of computers. However, in my case, that was before they were mass-marketed to the average American.
But still, all is forgiven.
March 8th, 2005 at 8:20 pm
Ouch. You have wounded me. Man, you ARE sassy.
Amanda assumes defensive Ninja pose….