From: natarsu@mse.ogi.edu (N. Sukumar)
Newsgroups: soc.college.grad
Subject: Re: Engg./Sciences bashing (Re: Are there any humanities grads. out there ?)
Date: 16 Apr 92 21:24:57 GMT
Article-I.D.: ogicse.36359
Organization: Oregon Graduate Institute, Material Science & Engineering

In article <IASTATE.1992Apr15.232342> keats@IASTATE.EDU 
(Venkata K Polineni) writes :-
 
[earlier stufff deleted]
 
> Though I admit literature can be intellectually fulfilling, the 
> practical good it does is next to nothing. Now don't brand me as 

	Every field has a purpose and there are bound to be
some who have a inkling towards it; it should be seen in that
vein, rather than looking at the "practical" aspects of it.

> another jaundiced engineer; but there is no way a lingusit or a 
> novelist is going to find a cure for AIDS or device new materials
> and processes which directly advance human civilization. And 
> there is no way they can find new strains of wheat or launch 
> satellites for monitoring weather (where do u get your daily
> weather reports from?) and devise instruments for protecting 
> their country when it is endangered (though I don't question 
> their patriotism; I question their material contribution).

	I don't see you as jaundiced; it's a combination of
ignorance and prejudice [rather harsh !], IMO.  I for one
don't see tha majority of Engineers making any significant
contribution to the direct upliftment of humans and their
lives.  Someone had pointed to the fact that 99% [or so] do 
so.  IMO, it's probably the other way around, for < 1% probably
make a direct impact and really contribute to science and
technology.  The rest just do a 9 to 5 job and earn a pretty
hefty salary for doing so ! 

> While enginneering/sciences cater to the basic needs of humanity, 
> Literature comes into play only when they are satisfied. Try 
> lecturing on Shakespeare to a starving man!! The point I am
> trying to make is, only when all your basic needs are satisfied 
> do you turn (if at all) to literature pursuits and 
> engineering/sciences try to provide those basic needs. 

	I don't see your point.  How about lecturing on
Integral Transforms to a starving man ..:-) ? Will it make a
difference ?  I at least don't see it doing so.  Engg./
Sciences provide a direct and convenient means for one
to earn money (the basic need).  Period !  Job opportunities
and salaries directly dictate the "hot" fields of specialization.  
Since the humanities do not fall in the above category, their
importance is down-played.
 
> Engineering/Sciences are necessary and essential, while Humanities 
> supplement all round and balanced development. The common man 
> can do without the latter but not the former. Personally, I dig 
> both, as my email address testifies :-)
 
	If you wan't to see a direct impact field, it's got
to be Medicine.  IMO, being a Doctor requires a high degree
of proficiency and skill, for there's a lot at stake.  Hey! If 
Doctors weren't around, Engineers would cease to exist :-) !

> All comments welcome.
> keats@iastate.edu

	Sure.  Take it easy.
bye
suku.
--
N. Sukumar                   Home Phone: (503)-690-3097
Dept. of Mat. Sci. & Engg.   Work  "   : (503)-690-1121 (X7451)
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