I’ve been thinking this week about why the March For Our Lives protests gives me so much hope for our future, and, as an engineer, I think I’ve put my finger on it.
Often times in engineering & science it's easy to let past experience dictate future development; to say because something hasn't been done before it's impossible or too difficult.
Take SpaceX, for example. Landing rockets reliably was one of those things that people looked at before and decided wasn't worth it (many reasons, but technical challenges among them). SpaceX & Elon Musk challenged those preconceived notions and we got Falcon 9 & Heavy.
In engineering & science we often refer to First Principles - the underlying fundamentals, for example of physics that dictate how things truly work. It's a way of going back to the roots of the problem, rather than the existing solutions.
Another example, for Mars Curiosity: Tradition would have dictated either landing with rockets under the rover, or with airbags. But the team challenged the idea - still using rockets, but moving them overhead. Same underlying physics principles, not constrained by precedent.
Remember when we always used to ask "Why?" We try to figure out the rules and boundaries. And seeing young people out there asking "Why not?" is so exciting.
It's why I love going to schools and talking to children about what I do. No questions are harder than elementary school students' questions. They will challenge everything. You better come prepared.
When I see our youth marching I feel the same sense of joy. We've been told for years that some changes can't happen, or are too complex or whatnot. They don't have those preconceived notions.
Think of all the incredible things in our lives that exist because people challenged existing ideas. Airplanes. Chocolate + Peanut Butter. Spaceships. Phones. Smart phones. Booze. Books. Cars.
*cut to scene of fermenting grapes*
P1: It's rotting. Throw it away
P2: I dunno, maybe it's ok. I’m gonna drink it
P1: Noooooooo
P2: This is delicious. Also I feel really confident
P1: It's rotting. Throw it away
P2: I dunno, maybe it's ok. I’m gonna drink it
P1: Noooooooo
P2: This is delicious. Also I feel really confident
So whether you agree or not with what our youth are asking for, they are right to ask. No matter what age you are, keep challenging assumptions. Go back to first principles. Stay optimistic.
