Why Engineering Matters
Written on January 5th, 2025 by Anthony Ponce
I have decide I am sticking with studying engineering no matter how difficult things get so here is a paper I wrote on April 24th , 2024 for a class regarding my choice of major.
Robert Heinlein once said, “one man’s ‘magic’ is another man’s engineering,” this quote completely restructured how I looked at our everything from a ballpoint pen to a stock car going 190 MPH down a super speedway. Engineering is a cornerstone of our civilization that shapes our world, from the homes we live in to the phones in our pocket, the development of the world as we know it has been innovated by engineers across the world. While some critics point to the potential negative consequences of engineering, such as job displacement and environmental degradation, the field continues to lead the way for advancing human civilization. By innovating solutions across diverse domains, from sustainable energy to life-saving medical technology, engineers play a pivotal role in addressing global challenges and improving quality of life for individuals worldwide.
Engineering is crucial for the progress of mankind. Civil engineers for example have developed and designed infrastructure that can withstand thousands and thousands of years. This is knowledge that was founded, developed, and refined over so many eras of mankind. Structures such as the Great Wall of China and the Pyramids of Giza are testaments to the greatness human beings are capable of. In the modern world, civil engineers do more than just build defensive borders or tombs for their Pharaohs, they design bridges and highways that connect our nations playing a major role in economic and social growth for communities everywhere.
On a more personal level, I know for a fact my father wouldn’t be here without the advancements made by the biomedical engineering field. Pacemakers were long thought to be a death sentence that you got put in you to give you enough time to get your affairs in order. It’s depressing that I am only half joking. This device underneath his collarbone keeps the heart beating at a regulated level needed to stay alive. These devices at one point bought you at best five years on top of your life. Through hard work and development of newer technologies we are seeing longer and longer lifespans after getting these implants. I can attest that my own father has had a pacemaker for over 8 years now. There is no doubt that an event like this makes you realize how valuable this field can be. Thanks to engineers working every day to refine these devices, countless lives like my father’s have been saved and millions of families have been given more time with the ones they love.
Still not convinced? Well, you wouldn’t be reading this without an electrical engineer and a computer engineer! Electrical and computer engineers revolutionized the way the world works, powering civilizations and developing technologies that we have become completely dependent on. Our phones, computers, microwaves, all of these and more are to be credited to these two. If you add mechanical engineers into the mix and you get inventions like the electronic car, an innovation that can reduce carbon emissions and impact climate change in a positive way.
Despite how undeniably important these inventions are, they are not without criticism. Some feel that something like the electric car is harmful to the environment because of the way the resources are gathered for the battery. The backbone of this argument is that having to mine nickel from the earth is bound to have some sort of consequence. Usually, I see this logic pushed by the kind of guy who thinks coal rolls are dope and has MOPAR OR NO CAR across his back windshield. It is a great example of a modern day tu quoque. Tu quoque is a Latin term that translates to “you also” or “you too” in English. Tu quoque is a logical fallacy where an individual attempts to discredit an opponent’s argument by pointing out the opponent’s hypocrisy or inconsistency rather than addressing the argument itself. Instead of giving merit to electric vehicles they deflect by pointing out flaws in the manufacturing process. The overall impact of is being falsely equated to cause distrust in the progress being made.
This same argument is made for just about all the fields of manufacturing that have been streamlined by engineering. Claiming that industrialization at wide has led to a degradation of our planet and job displacement. To that I say, I only hope that we can continue to develop ways of more efficiently and safely gathering the material needed to sustain life on Earth for everyone. As engineers, we have a responsibility to not only innovate and create but also to do so in a sustainable and environmentally conscious manner. This means prioritizing the development of cleaner technologies, reducing waste and emissions, and adopting circular economy principles that promote resource efficiency and reuse. Moreover, we must address the issue of job displacement by investing in reskilling and retraining programs to equip workers with the skills needed for emerging industries. By embracing sustainability as a guiding principle and striving for continuous improvement, we can forge a path towards a more resilient and brighter future for generations to come. I know, easier said than done, but no war is won without a clear understanding on how you plan to conduct it and what you intend to achieve in it.
In conclusion, the impact of engineering on our world is immeasurable. Everything from our modern marvels to mundane innovation that you don’t think twice about using like a drive thru window is the result of someone smart making something better. Despite criticism and hurdles that come with industrialized aspects of engineering, the ends far outweigh the means. As we continue to progress as a society, the need for engineering will only further be exacerbated. The STEM field must embrace the challenges of tomorrow. I used to think changing the world was impossible but the power and knowledge to reshape Earth as we know has never been more attainable than it is today. We must strive for a future we are proud of.
