My conversation with Henry Petroski:
"To discover to the world something which deeply concerns it, and of which it was previously ignorant; to prove to it that it had been mistaken on some vital point of temporal or spiritual interest, is as important a service as a human being can render to his fellow creatures..." John Stuart Mill, "On Liberty"
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
The very essential engineer
As we face a world of increasing complexity and increasing problems, it seems to always fall to science to find the answers. However, science is only half the equation. Certainly to understand and deconstruct our world, is the job of science. However to take that science and create real, practical solutions for our future, is the job of engineering. If science is about ideas, engineering is about putting those ideas into action. Henry Petroski, a Professor of Civil Engineering at Duke, and the author of The Essential Engineer: Why Science Alone Will Not Solve Our Global Problems
is the Carl Sagan of engineering. He explains that it is engineering which really will allow our reach to exceed our grasp.
My conversation with Henry Petroski:
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My conversation with Henry Petroski:
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henry petroski,
Jeff Schechmtan