EEs and end of the world

[DJPhil]

Survivor: Coney Island

Now there's a thought. 

[A-sic Enginerd]

I think it's more than just the profession that matters. It's about the individual. I work with engineers that openly admit their idea of camping and "roughing it" is going on vacation to a place that doesn't have room service.

On the flip side I have a friend that is a general contractor, that raises buffalo on the side, and if there were anyone on the planet that could survive, my money would be on him.

Its about what you bring to the table with your life experiences and total knowledge as well as your mental disposition.

I would admit there is one distinct advantage that engineers, ANY engineer (not just EE), brings with them: critical thinking and problem solving.

Illustration of this is my own experiences. I've had a former job (before I was an engineer) where I dealt with a lot of different things, combined with wrenching on cars with my Dad since I was old enough to pick up a wrench. Working on an electronics circuit is no different than: plumbing water system, toxic gas system, high pressure gas system, vacuum system, etc. The specifics don't matter. It's the ability to look at a problem, analyze it, and derive a solution.

I've done and seen some pretty interesting and creative "redneck engineering" that was all about how to get a job done with what you had at hand. And how it was put together had nothing to do with having a degree in engineering.

[KTP]

I've done and seen some pretty interesting and creative "redneck engineering" that was all about how to get a job done with what you had at hand. And how it was put together had nothing to do with having a degree in engineering.

I used to watch that show!  It was called Junkyard Wars.

[A-sic Enginerd]

I've done and seen some pretty interesting and creative "redneck engineering" that was all about how to get a job done with what you had at hand. And how it was put together had nothing to do with having a degree in engineering.

I used to watch that show!  It was called Junkyard Wars.

That show was totally kick ass. My brother and I came incredibly close to putting a team together and submitting an application video. Still watch reruns that come on occasionally.

[KTP]

One of the best episodes of Junkyard Wars was when a team of Brits built an actually flyable airplane from junk parts in two days then the crazy blokes actually flew the thing hundreds of feet into the air doing loops and such.  I was totally impressed.

[DJPhil]

One of the best episodes of Junkyard Wars was when a team of Brits built an actually flyable airplane from junk parts in two days then the crazy blokes actually flew the thing hundreds of feet into the air doing loops and such.  I was totally impressed.

Now that'd be a sight. I always seem to catch the dud episodes where both teams fail to make something simple.

Still, I'd rather watch Junkyard Wars reruns than some of the stuff on the Science Channel lately. It feels a bit dumbed down of late. Shows with names like 'Really Big Things' and such make me nostalgic for Nova. On the other hand, I'm often hypnotized by 'How It's Made', which I find easy to watch for hours. The Canadians make some really good television and radio programs that seem to go unnoticed.

Edit: I apologize, I just realized I've gone off-topic again. I promise to stay on track for the remainder of the thread. 

[merser]

Hmm I've been thinking about this one a lot lately. While I don't believe in anything like 2012 I do think the world is in for some serious trouble post peak oil. Wars over resources have and will occur and increasing natural disasters like earthquakes and deathly storms will cause financial hardship. And greed in the financial sector will continue to bring about ever more serious recessions.
Engineers are needed now and always to minimize the effects of mother nature or our depleting resources and I just hope they can build us the alternative transportation and power stations in time that will see us through after peak everything.

[A-sic Enginerd]

Hmm I've been thinking about this one a lot lately. While I don't believe in anything like 2012 I do think the world is in for some serious trouble post peak oil. Wars over resources have and will occur and increasing natural disasters like earthquakes and deathly storms will cause financial hardship. And greed in the financial sector will continue to bring about ever more serious recessions.
Engineers are needed now and always to minimize the effects of mother nature or our depleting resources and I just hope they can build us the alternative transportation and power stations in time that will see us through after peak everything.

Sad part is the engineers already have solutions. Politics is what kills the vast majority of them before they get off the ground. And who do you suppose has the politicians ears?

[charliex]

prototype this was pretty good, pity they'll make no more