[programmers frantically pulling cables out of the wall] AI: "Nuclear power. Double teachers' salaries. Build more houses. Distribute food more fairly. TRAINS—" — qntmyrrh (@qntm) November 24, 2023 I remember growing up with that same old adage of how you could be the next scientist to invent a cure for cancer, or a solution to climate change, or whatever. What they don’t tell you is that we already have solutions for a lot of problems, we just don’t use them.
  • jeffhykin@lemm.ee
    381·
    11 months ago

    Most problems in the modern age aren’t complicated engineering problems, they’re the same problem: coordination failure

    I’m in the 3rd year of my engineering PhD, because my whole life I thought society needed an engineering solution. I mean I didn’t blindly accept what people told me, but still it wasn’t until last year that I realized/agree with basically what this quote is saying; society isn’t bad because of an engineering problem. We’re pretty good at making water, food, shelter, and transporting stuff around but pretty bad at having a good life (ex: the loneliness epidemic). That gradual realization is part of why I’m in the solarpunk community.

    Spending almost 20 years in education learning to solve the wrong problem is a real shame to say the least, which is why I think articles like this are incredibly important.

    IMO, we need to change our attitude when we talk to kids of the next generation. No more “politican = bad don’t do it. Be good; be an engineer”. Instead we should be saying “our politicans are bad, you should be good, study, and run for office”