[r9etb]

Engineers deal with the real world. You can’t design a bridge, circuit, chair, or just about anyting else by “feeling” or “wishing.” You have to deal with the objective facts. That’s why engineers tend to be conservative — they deal with reality, not fantasy (a requirement to be a leftist).

The problem with us engineers, however, is that we tend to treat human situations like we're designing a bridge or a chair. Our contempt for "feeling" or "wishing" is fine for hardware, and damaging to our ability to deal with people as people.

[piytar]

Some do, some don’t. That said, more damage has by done in the name of short-sighted compassion than just about anything else. Just look at the “compassionate” Welfare State and all the misery it has created. Another example is enabling “love” by over-feeling parents who end up raising monsters.

Dealing with cold reality - without the feelings - is actually often the most compassionate course in the long run.

PS I used to be in engineering, too. Got out partly because it can be a dry sterile world...