You have some sort of engineering degree right? I was a bit surprised by the way you approached the subject, by delving deep into a solution, without even a basic analysis of the assumptions the problem was based on.
It was the very first thing we learned at university, to estimate reasonability. This mindset is essential when solving problems.
Before solving the “problem” of for example, sand beaches being depleted, by sand grains getting stuck between the toes: doing some simple math to see just how many toes, for how many years would be needed to drain the beach of sand. As to first of all state: is this really a problem?
Yet to this point, I haven’t seen you comment the estimations I did, nor provide any yourself. It surprises me actually, as it is a fundamental part of engineering.
norimi was talking about things needing simulations. None of this actually needs simulations. You do simulations when it is too hard to model mathematically. This is quite trivial maths though.
It just seems to me you got obsessed by an idea, a solution you would have liked to see, then you got stuck in a pride battle. Now “saving face” what ever the point of that is
I think if we are more concerned about facts, finding and solving real problems, and less concerned with ourselves and being the one having a good idea, discussions like these get more rare.
A useful discussion on a number of levels/perspectives, not least social (getting to know each other through discourse). Thanks for taking time to summarise @jlpell, and to you, @neo and others (including just reading) for engaging at such length to get clarity on an interesting but so far neglected question.
Are you saying that in a critical way? As an engineer myself I know the first step is question the need and reasonableness. And do as you clearly pointed out in your post.
I’ve been guilty of this myself and know that we have to at times just step back and examine what we are doing. And I’ve seen this in this topic. I wanted to get in more depth about some of the issues but …
No hidden meaning in the question (I try to avoid such communication, I don’t like it), it is just as plain as it read. His introduction post suggested it (or maybe even stated it) and so I just asked to confirm.
Maybe that’s why you end up battling these guys
I think most people can end up there. It doesn’t serve much to point fingers, but we shouldn’t be afraid of speaking of it either
Just to clarify, I don’t think @jlpell needs to save his face. I think that the notion of losing face is a bit detrimental to a relaxed, open and explorative discourse.
Of course I can feel ashamed for things too, but the point I’m trying to make is that we shouldn’t feel ashamed for being off on a wrong tangent, or having thought all backwards, or not knowing stuff. Just look ahead and improve, constantly, and don’t look down on others or yourself for mistakes.
That makes it so much easier to be direct, and pointing out things like “that what you said now, I think it is bs, you do it for your ego” for example, without it being hurtful or causing bad feelings, more like “yeah, you’re right, ended up there again, didn’t I”. Cause we all do at times.
I think quite a few, me included, think it’s great that you do engage and follow through in these battles though
Regardless of what mix of motivations there might be at any given time.
It wasn’t said explicitly above, but it is quite obvious to me that your main motivation is to set facts straight, and that is and will be needed on the forums
