Live data from Hacker News

State Charges 77-Year-Old for 'Practicing Engineering Without a License'

vice.com

11–20 of 29 posts

Re: State Charges 77-Year-Old for 'Practicing Engineering Without a License'

#11
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So you should be required to go through a government licensing programme to be able to tell the government they fucked up? :D

Yes, absolutely. How is that even relevant? Are you implying that it's acceptable to violate the rule of law when the government makes a mistake? Do you shoot your mailman when they mis-deliver a letter?

I find it more amusing you don't see the blatant circular logic flaw in that.

Re: State Charges 77-Year-Old for 'Practicing Engineering Without a License'

#12
post #2

Do you need a license to be a software engineer? Sounds like its a protected title like in some other countries

In a lot of countries “Engineer” is a protected title. (Same in Germany where “Ingenieur” is protected). The term is usually used for mechanical engineers, and the like. Jobs you can only do with a degree, because if you fail, lives could be at stake.

We actually had a Canadian colleague request to change the job title in the employment from Software Engineer to Software Developer due to these restrictions.

Re: State Charges 77-Year-Old for 'Practicing Engineering Without a License'

#13
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, absolutely. How is that even relevant? Are you implying that it's acceptable to violate the rule of law when the government makes a mistake? Do you shoot your mailman when they mis-deliver a letter?

I find it more amusing you don't see the blatant circular logic flaw in that.

Can you explain the circular logic flaw? I literally don't know what you're talking about.

Re: State Charges 77-Year-Old for 'Practicing Engineering Without a License'

#14
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So you should be required to go through a government licensing programme to be able to tell the government they fucked up? :D

Yes, absolutely. How is that even relevant? Are you implying that it's acceptable to violate the rule of law when the government makes a mistake? Do you shoot your mailman when they mis-deliver a letter?

Are you a lawyer? If not, then you have no standing to interpret the law, and perhaps you should be charged with a crime for doing so.

Does it make sense now how your reasoning is a bit circular?

Re: State Charges 77-Year-Old for 'Practicing Engineering Without a License'

#15
post #2

Do you need a license to be a software engineer? Sounds like its a protected title like in some other countries

Opinions and jurisdictions differ. The problem is that some jurisdiction might define “software engineering” such that an individual without a license (and not under supervision of someone with one) could get in trouble for doing software development rather than describing themselves as an engineer.

This is actually something some people want. Don’t let them achieve it.

Re: State Charges 77-Year-Old for 'Practicing Engineering Without a License'

#16
post #7
post #2

Do you need a license to be a software engineer? Sounds like its a protected title like in some other countries

At least not in Portugal, you can work as a software developer even without going to school.

That doesn't necessarily mean that you can testify in court as a professional software developer without going to school

Re: State Charges 77-Year-Old for 'Practicing Engineering Without a License'

#17
post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, absolutely. How is that even relevant? Are you implying that it's acceptable to violate the rule of law when the government makes a mistake? Do you shoot your mailman when they mis-deliver a letter?

Are you a lawyer? If not, then you have no standing to interpret the law, and perhaps you should be charged with a crime for doing so. Does it make sense now how your reasoning is a bit circular?

The reasoning is not circular, full stop. Just because the government both (1) deals in licenses and (2) can be sued in court does not make the situation logically inconsistent. You're confusing collusion/corruption for circular logic.

Re: State Charges 77-Year-Old for 'Practicing Engineering Without a License'

#19
post #8

Lol, software engineering would not be where it is if not for tinkerers.

Right, but this is about civil engineering. I suppose that field also had tinkerers at some point, but today we expect civil engineers to have a diploma and license. Maybe software engineering will go that way too in the future, after the Internet of Unsecured Things finally implodes.

Re: State Charges 77-Year-Old for 'Practicing Engineering Without a License'

#20
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Are you a lawyer? If not, then you have no standing to interpret the law, and perhaps you should be charged with a crime for doing so. Does it make sense now how your reasoning is a bit circular?

The reasoning is not circular, full stop. Just because the government both (1) deals in licenses and (2) can be sued in court does not make the situation logically inconsistent. You're confusing collusion/corruption for circular logic.

The reasoning is not circular because that would be devastating to your case?

Thanks, Yes man.

Post reply on HN