Engineering is the art of modelling
materials we do not wholly understand,
into shapes we cannot precisely analyze,
so as to withstand forces we cannot properly assess,
in such a way that the public has no reason
to suspect the extent of our ignorance.
An engineer is a person
who passes as an exciting technical expert
on the basis of being able
to turn out with prolific fortitude,
infinite strings of incomprehensive estimates
calculated with microscopic precision from vague assumptions
and debatable figures taken from inconclusive data
obtained with recording devices of problematical accuracy
by uninformed persons of doubtful reliability
and questionable mentality.
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