Engineer ‘Innovation and Inclusion’

Knitting and code? Engineers who hate technology? Cross-pollination between arts and science to benefit humanity is good for the planet. Ideas lead to solutions.

TEDxBeaconSt on Saturday, Nov. 18 is “organized around the values that President John F. Kennedy championed: courage, service, innovation, and inclusion.” Registration for the event is free. This all-day event is at JFK Presidential Library & Museum, Columbia Point, Boston, Mass. Can’t be there? Livestream is available all weekend from anywhere with internet via www.tedxbeaconstreet.com, 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.

“But the world would be a better place if more engineers, like me, hated technology. The stuff I design, if I’m successful, nobody will ever notice. Things will just work, and be self-managing. Though, I’ve learned that some people like to configure things, so I usually design in knobs for them to play with, and perhaps improve things, but any setting of the knobs will still work correctly.” – Radia Perlman

Note: To knit a three-dimensional design (not following a pattern) sure feels like engineering. Concept, design, chart, refine. Adjust to fit, frog back when it doesn’t. Add color and pattern where desired. Does it function? If not, back to the (literal) drawing board.

Editor