The Ethics of Engineering

  • She posits that engineers should be more professionally oriented.
    • This implies that engineers in the AI era must respond to the exigencies of the workplace and societal demands for innovation and technological autonomy of the state.
    • This could give rise to a new archetype, homoinnovaticus, which is amusing, as if we don’t already possess a plethora of species.
      • What I believe she intended to convey was a person who thrives in the constantly evolving knowledge and innovation economy of the world, one that doesn’t rely solely on trading goods but operates through competence barter.
      • It evokes the zero marginal cost paradigm, where the cost of services trends towards zero, and we find ourselves compelled to participate in this exchange.
    • Homoinnovaticus is an individual who devises useful modern tools tailored to societal needs, though I missed some details from the speech; I need to consult her article.
      • This individual is capable of propelling society forward technically and enriching it spiritually in the process.
      • They seamlessly integrate multiple roles: engineer, scientist, designer, and creator, someone who not only articulates but also creates something that transforms the world.
        • As someone once remarked, β€œThe engineer changes the world, while everyone else merely discusses it.”
        • The technology they develop addresses cultural dilemmas and influences the community.
      • An engineer is innovative and morally mature, accountable for the advancement of humanity.
    • The responsibility of imparting this ethical framework falls on the discipline of linguistics, though I cannot fully concur; philosophy plays a significantly larger role.
      • However, the language utilized by philosophers must be interpreted, which, frankly, is not what an engineer is tasked with.
      • They must process data and work with it, not interpret it; their mission is to alter the world.
    • MG also mentioned that modern products lack durability and gadgets require frequent updates because they are not designed to endure, and companies need new customers.
      • I contend she is mistaken here; we purchase new gadgets not because they frequently fail, but due to the advancements that engineers realize.
      • Phones are a prime example of this. Varied software necessitates more robust hardware, thus the need to acquire new gadgets.
      • Kitchenware is a separate issue; refrigerators, for instance, as well as stoves and ovens, can be operational for decades.
    • The new codex of invention rigorously adheres to ethics. The invention must be:
      • Cost-effective.
      • Durable.
        • Potentially robust and even antifragile.
      • Long-lasting.
      • Convenient.
  • How to teach? MG argues that it should be through a case and problem-based approach in the classroom.
    • She even collaborated with Davidenko on a book that encompasses 25 units addressing a diverse range of topics.

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