This topic (also cross-posted in the EWRI-ECOI) stirred up some interesting discussions – as of 15th February: Alan Johnson, Adam Alzahabi and Robert Johnson on PUBLIC POLICY; and Mathew Hosey and Jerry Rogers on EWRI-ECOI. The origin of the topic and the follow-up responses has roots in our impression and frustration that engineering achievements do not get enough coverage and recognition in the media, and perhaps most importantly in public mind.
In light of the posted responses, I am tempted to add something more.
Robert's posts highlighted that even non-engineers like LS DeCamp (1907 – 2000) and astronomer C Sagan (1934 – 1996) had similar impressions. Engineering is intricately tied to the progress and development of science and technology (S&T) – for instance, the non-routine engineering practices are like providing a packaged solution by connecting the dots or innovating the missing pieces of the S&T puzzles. At the same time, we are scientists and technologists by default – for one thing, in the process of innovating tools and methods. I am with DeCamp and Sagan – that civilization is nothing but the Gift of Science & Technology – if this gift stagnates or fails to innovate, the whole framework of civilization loses its luster and collapses. The definition of civilization itself has evolved over time – in the past it was understood within the boundaries of nation states; in the modern inter-connected era one talks about world or human civilization.
Perhaps there lies one of the answers – that if S&T and Engineering are so important, they need proper nurturing, promotion and recognition. In fact such nurturing exists through education systems and funding. It is good up to that level, but as the engineering professionals move forward; their contributions do not get enough attention they deserve in media, socio-political arena, etc. – not even in Google search of our past leaders (on an unselfish note, one must also realize that there are many other aspects of great social and technical activities that also do not adequate attention). Most of us have opinions about the nature of media attention and competence – they have a certain way of conducting their business – that is totally different from engineering – power, politics, money, popularity and sensational disturbances/instabilities appeal to them most because people like to hear about them.
There are many S&T and Engineering awards at different levels and in different countries. The chances of winning the non-posthumous biennial CS Draper (1901 – 1987) Prize by a well-positioned engineer is much more remote than, for example, an actor winning the annual Oscar or Golden Globe or many similar ones. Apart from the fact the actor's profession is very visible in public mind, it also seems that these entertainment prizes are well-framed having many different categories and varieties as a manifestation of recognizing the team effort.
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Dr. Dilip Barua, Ph.D, P.Eng, M. ASCE
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Website:
https://widecanvas.weebly.com------------------------------
Original Message:
Sent: 02-10-2018 11:21
From: Robert Johnson
Subject: Knowing and Remembering the Past Scientific and Engineering Leaders
Thx for the commentary!
Now let me share with you the following: THE NOBEL PROFESSION
THE NOBEL PROFESSION
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| THE NOBEL PROFESSION |
| We Get No Recognition (paraphrase the late comedian Rodney Dangerfield). The Entertainment Awards Season is well underway: Golden Globes, (January |
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by the way..... haven't read, seen much news of the award this year (2018)
We live in a society exquisitely dependent on science and technology, in which hardly anyone knows anything about science and technology.
- Carl Sagan + might I add "ENGINEERING"
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Robert Johnson P.E., F.ASCE
SENIOR ENGINEER
Buffalo Grove IL
Original Message:
Sent: 02-08-2018 13:33
From: Dilip Barua
Subject: Knowing and Remembering the Past Scientific and Engineering Leaders
It is often not easy to know about our past scientific and engineering leaders. While writing the pieces for WIDECANVAS, I felt this disappointment during Googling Nick Kraus (- 2011), Yoshima Goda (1935 – 2012), and Bob Dean (1931 – 2015). These three leaders dedicated their lives in fostering many aspects of coastal science and engineering. We use their contributions and methods published in papers and books – refer to their works – yet public hardly knows them. There were Journal memoriams of them: Dr. Kraus [2011 Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, 137(4)], Prof. Goda [2012 Journal of Waterway, Port, Coastal and Ocean Engineering, 138(6)] and Prof. Dean [2015 Journal of Coastal Research, 31(3)]. Although I am naming these three great scholars – having the opportunity to know them personally – I am sure there are many other past leaders in different disciplines whose bios etc. cannot be found.
The purpose of this post is to suggest that professional societies like ASCE could take initiatives to compile bios and achievements of our past scientific leaders – for one thing to inspire the posterity. If not societies like these, then who else would? The professional journal memoriams are one such step, but many members of the public do not read such journals. Perhaps, an easily searchable database of some sort may suffice some of the queries; or better yet is to collaborate with Wikipedia – inviting the organization to do the job.
I invite all to think and react on this.
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Dr. Dilip Barua, Ph.D, P.Eng, M. ASCE
Vancouver, BC, Canada
Website: https://widecanvas.weebly.com
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