[rarestia]

I’m a data center engineer, FRiend. You’re talking to an engineer. Numbers and the manipulation thereof are a day-to-day task for me, and yes, they go to solve problems.

So you’ve effectively invalidated your argument that I’m utterly wrong by stating that manipulating numbers (to solve problems) is what engineering is about. What I stated, prima facie, is not untrue. You just added the prepositional phrase “to solve problems” to my argument.

Thank you!

[piytar]

Um, wrong. You're omitting a word that was in your original comment. Here, I'll help:

Hard science and math degrees only mean you can manipulate numbers.

ONLY manipulating numbers doesn't imply problem solving. There isn't a good engineering school in the country that you can get through by "ONLY" manipulating numbers. Ditto science.

[piytar]

To elaborate: Problem solving involves a LOT more than manipulating the numbers. It involves identifying the real problem to be solved - often quite different from what the person assigning the matter thinks it is - determining what factors are important, quantifying them, then yes manipulating the numbers, then implementing a solution in line with those numbers.

Would that our politicians took such an approach!