Tell HN: Thanks and hats off to all the non software engineers

#1

Post by firstfewshells » Tue, Dec 27, 2022, 8:45 PM UTC

It's amazing what civil, mechanical, structural, electrical and all other "real world" engineers have built for us. They need to be paid way more than software engineers IMO considering how critical their work is. Yes, I know it's a pipe dream, cause supply and demand. "Have you seen how much big tech makes?".

Whenever my mind wanders off and lands on a video of practical engineering, it boggles my mind how complex real world systems are put in place. Big hats off to those engineering these systems so us pampered folks can whine about RTO vs WFH and Rust vs Go.

Re: Tell HN: Thanks and hats off to all the non software engineers

#2

Post by dieselgate » Tue, Dec 27, 2022, 8:49 PM UTC

Everything was built on the shoulders of giants

Re: Tell HN: Thanks and hats off to all the non software engineers

#3

Post by benatkin » Tue, Dec 27, 2022, 9:29 PM UTC

I agree - but one reason that it's nauseating to see so much celebration of software engineers ("pampered folks") is the freedom-destroying force that FAANG is. It doesn't have to be like it is with walled garden after walled garden. https://ghuntley.com/fracture/

Re: Tell HN: Thanks and hats off to all the non software engineers

#4

Post by polishdude20 » Tue, Dec 27, 2022, 9:29 PM UTC

dieselgate wrote: post #2

Everything was built on the shoulders of giants

I always wondered why we say "giants" here. It would be more accurate and empowering to say "everything was built on the shoulders of our ancestors" they weren't giants. They were regular people.

Re: Tell HN: Thanks and hats off to all the non software engineers

#5

Post by anm89 » Tue, Dec 27, 2022, 9:33 PM UTC

polishdude20 wrote: post #4

dieselgate wrote: post #2

Everything was built on the shoulders of giants

I always wondered why we say "giants" here. It would be more accurate and empowering to say "everything was built on the shoulders of our ancestors" they weren't giants. They were regular people.

It's a metaphor

Re: Tell HN: Thanks and hats off to all the non software engineers

#6

Post by lumberjack24 » Tue, Dec 27, 2022, 9:34 PM UTC

anm89 wrote: post #5

polishdude20 wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I always wondered why we say "giants" here. It would be more accurate and empowering to say "everything was built on the shoulders of our ancestors" they weren't giants. They were regular people.

It's a metaphor

geez.

Re: Tell HN: Thanks and hats off to all the non software engineers

#7

Post by dieselgate » Tue, Dec 27, 2022, 9:35 PM UTC

polishdude20 wrote: post #4

dieselgate wrote: post #2

Everything was built on the shoulders of giants

I always wondered why we say "giants" here. It would be more accurate and empowering to say "everything was built on the shoulders of our ancestors" they weren't giants. They were regular people.

I think it's because one can see the "horizon" better whilst standing on a giant - the horizon being the future of scientific/engineering progress (or whatever we'd like to call it). But yes it's a good point, I'm not a fan of appealing to authority either which is kind of how the quote makes it seem. We had this exact discussion in an engineering class so the above is relevant to my experience only

Re: Tell HN: Thanks and hats off to all the non software engineers

#8

Post by doliveira » Tue, Dec 27, 2022, 9:35 PM UTC

polishdude20 wrote: post #4

dieselgate wrote: post #2

Everything was built on the shoulders of giants

I always wondered why we say "giants" here. It would be more accurate and empowering to say "everything was built on the shoulders of our ancestors" they weren't giants. They were regular people.

Interesting, referring to remarkable people as giants doesn't exist in your native language?

Re: Tell HN: Thanks and hats off to all the non software engineers

#9

Post by cod1r » Tue, Dec 27, 2022, 9:37 PM UTC

I've had these exact thoughts in my head XD. I agree that a lot of other jobs deserve higher pay but aren't given higher pay due to economical reasons.

Re: Tell HN: Thanks and hats off to all the non software engineers

#10

Post by dougSF70 » Tue, Dec 27, 2022, 9:39 PM UTC

Yes, but. Most real world engineers could also be software engineers too. I studied Mechanical Engineering and had to learn Fortran and Pascal as part of my undergrad. What I find strange is that some of the best software engineers are not as strong at Math as you would expect. Of course there are exceptions (and no doubt they are all here on HN!). So while real world engineers can cross the divide to become software engineers, the reverse is not the case in a lot of instances.