The introspective engineer

The terms "technological fix" and "engineering" have become somewhat pejorative in recent years, applied to thoughtless short-term solutions that result in long-term problems. But in this elegantly reasoned and passionately argued book, Samuel Florman suggests that at this moment in history a few good technological fixes are just what the world needs.

The profession of engineering is rarely the topic of serious public discussion. Multimedia, virtual reality, information superhighway - these are the buzzwords of the day. But real engineers, the people who conceive of computers and oversee their manufacture, the people who design and build information systems, cars, bridges, airplanes, and so many other things that are central to our lives, are nameless and obscure.

There are no engineering heroes; it has been a long time since Eiffel built his tower and the Roeblings built their bridge. Our society takes engineering for granted, and all of us are the poorer for this.

.

Florman's response is this book. It is a clarion call to society - we must awaken to the reality that the continuing quality of our life is dependent on increasingly creative technological solutions to the problems we face. We need cleaner, more economical engines, faster computers, more power, and a healthier planet...all at the same time. Engineers, Florman argues, know better than to expect perfection in the real world.

Our leaders must take on this engineering mind-set and design solutions to our moral and social problems that fit within the constraints of time, materials, and money.