RSS Feeds
Readers Sound Off
By Design News Staff -- Design News, September 27, 2004
PRO-TECH SPENDING
Based on the response you received on your pro-technology administration article (DN MYVIEW 05.17.04, http://rbi.ims.ca/3855-551), it appears you have many Rush Limbaugh fans in your readership (DN Mail 06.28.04, 07.19.04, http://rbi.ims.ca/3855-552). Unfortunately, too many people in the technical fields are not aware that most technical advances in this country were subsidized by their taxes (through the federal government). They are also unaware of the grave crisis our professions are in—due to offshoring—and the critical need for the government to step in per your article. If the federal government doesn't act we will soon be living in a second-world country, never mind a socialist type country.
William L. Fell, P.E., ALPHARETTA, GA
NO TECH SPENDING
I'd like to suggest that you read this short summary of a study done long ago concerning government-sponsored research (http://rbi.ims.ca/3855-553). You are obviously able to list some achievements of government funded research, but perhaps a more telling measure might be what percentage of significant discoveries are made in these labs and/or what proportion of Nobel awards are given to government-sponsored discoveries. Fermi said, "Efficiency does not increase proportionately with numbers." I am not convinced that much has changed since he made that statement.
Ron SingerDESIGN NEWS READER
CHEAP SHOT
I read your editorial on Lockheed Martin's problems luring singles to Palmdale, CA (DN 07.19.04, http://rbi.ims.ca/3855-554), and I was shocked. Your article is not that far off base as far as nightlife. Palmdale is a family community and most residents have children and are not hanging out in bars at night. Judging a city by what kind of bars it has is a little short-sighted. The thing about your article I really objected to was the picture of the hillbilly man in the bib overalls living in a beat-up trailer. I thought it was in bad taste and we (the engineering residents of Palmdale) didn't think it was funny. Your magazine is expected to be more professional. It may have been funny in MAD magazine.
Randy Squires, PALMDALE, CA
BIG CITY GUY
The last city I lived in was Cedar Rapids, IA, a city with the absolute-worst social scene I'd ever seen. I ended up being recruited to join the group that put on a few downtown activities and met with the city council and mayor, as well as some MBA students who wanted to learn how they could help recruit younger people to the area. I made as many suggestions as I could (focused on revitalizing the downtown). Eventually, the city focused on building a kayak course along part of the sewage-filled river and building an apartment complex with retail on the first floor. I happily voted against the option tax that would have funded it the day I visited Minneapolis and decided Twin Cities would be a great place to live.
Randy Fordice, MINNEAPOLIS, MN
KNEE-JERK REACTION
In his op-ed piece, Geoffrey Orsak makes some excellent points on developing engineers (DN RANT 07.19.04, http://rbi.ims.ca/3855-555). However, companies need to focus on a particular issue—engineers desperately need to FIND, define, and then solve problems. Too much time is lost while engineers wait for problems to come to them. One of the knee-jerk reactions during a recession is to lay off engineers first instead of redeploying their talents in a temporary duty area. The lost engineer resource ends up overloading remaining talent when their problem-solving plate is already too full, leaving no time to FIND, define, and then solve problems.
Jim deReynier, BRISTOL, CT
Talkback
DN's Resource Center Get Free Information, Made Easy
-
Unique & Personal Capabilities catalog
Control Line Equipment, Inc. | Design Guide
Request Item -
How to Create Lasting Bonds with Adhesives, Sealants & Coatings
Master Bond | White Paper
Request Item
