In the The Big Bang Theory, Howard Wolowitz is an engineer among his scientist friends.

Howard is the nuts and bolts guy. His friends are the pure scientists. While the others are running experiments to support theories, Howard is making toilets that work in space.

And that’s how it works in the real world. Scientists answer questions based on the Scientific Method and Engineers take the findings of these Scientists and use them to design and build things that are practical.

Engineering principles are based on science. Engineering design involves the use of not just one, but several areas of science. The design of an automobile employs at least 5 different areas of science. Material Science is used to determine strength and applicability of the materials. Chemistry is used to determine fuel, cooling and lubrication needs. Physics is employed for motion and structural loads.

Scientists are explorers. They are the knowledge seekers. If you ever wondered WHY we went to the moon, think “science”. The answer to HOW we got to the moon is “engineering”. In The Big Bang, the scientists are glorified. In a lot of ways this is warranted. Many scientists take low pay in an effort to discover new things.

Engineers are responsible for the application of science. They are educated and trained to apply science to make something that works. Where scientists are focused on their particular areas of expertise, engineers are look at the bigger picture. Engineers are trained to know a little about a lot of things.

So when solving a problem and someone says “look at the science”, my question as an engineer is “Which one?”.

The statement “look at the science” has limited meaning. As an engineer, I focus on the solution to the problem and I use science to solve it. I don’t let any one science drive the solution.

Problem Definition

One of the keys to effective problem solving is defining the problem to be solved accurately and completely. Getting the right people together to define the ENTIRE scope of the problem is required for a complete solution.

Unintended Consequences

Inadequately defining the problem is a sure-fire way to end up with unintended consequences.

For the pandemic, the main problem is that people are getting real sick and are dying from the virus. This needed to stop or at least be slowed down.

A Virologist’s solution would be to isolate and then vaccinate.

But the logistics of locking people in their homes and shutting down businesses has its own set of consequences. First, it’s not real isolation. People still need to go out and buy food. Second, COVID-19 is transmitted in the air. Once a person returns to his home from the store or work, everyone locked in can be infected.

Then there is the economic impact. We all could use a little down time and as the richest country in the world, we should be able to afford it, but what about all the poor countries around the globe whose economies rely on us? What will happen to them?

And what damage will cutting off our children from all social interaction cause to their mental health? How will the lockdowns affect violent crime?

What damage to our future will we cause by adding $6T to our national debt? What impact will inflation have on the poor elderly on fixed incomes? What if jobs go away and never come back as businesses close?

The effects of our actions during the pandemic will be felt for decades. If you focus too much on just stopping the spread at any cost to the future, the future could be very bleak.

And that’s the danger of letting a single science guide solutions. An Epidemiologist is only concerned with the transmission of the virus. Through their lens, they really don’t see anything else.

But there is a lot more “science” to consider in solving this problem than what a Virologist can offer.

Would a PhD in economics share the same solution as an Virologist? What would a PhD in Finance say? What about Mental Health experts? Global Supply chain experts?

Over-Simplifying a Solution for a Complex Problem

Looking at a problem through a single lens certainly makes the problem simpler. Doctors do this all the time. Have a knee problem? They have something for that. NSAIDS, cortisone, surgery… But what if your knee problem is from 100 lbs of extra fat weighing on it every day? What if the muscles and tendons around it are just too weak to support you? What if you just have so much candida in your system that your immune system is entirely out of whack? What if the circulation in your legs is so poor, the knees aren’t getting what they need to be healthy?

A pill or a shot won’t fix you. It may make the pain go away, but then it will just come back – in spades. The doctor prescribing the pill or shot fixes things for a bit and only guarantees you’ll be back.

To do it right, it takes a team of “scientists” to manage the health of your complex body, with you as the engineer. Barb and I use doctor opinions, tests, physical therapists, chiropractors, massage therapists, personal trainers, and holistic coaches to guide us on our health. Barb uses a functional doctor to help her with health rather than just “sickcare”.

I know several people that have come to this conclusion after a series of disappointing doctor visits.

Looking at a patient from a holistic angle can open a can of worms, but oversimplifying a complicated issue is a much bigger problem.

Recognize Complexity

Some say our society today is all about “Quick Fixes”. Maybe instead we are just trying to oversimplify things to prevent us from thinking.

Much of the divisiveness today can be attributed to two sides that just won’t acknowledge the complexity of issues.

I believe the first steps in solving any of the world’s problems is recognizing the complexity and then using our brains to sort out the “science”. Two important steps of the Scientific Method are Research and Analyzing Data, both of which require us to think.

There is no short-cutting this, as things can go wrong when we rely on interpretations of the data by others that have a narrow view. Their views may be accurate in their scope, but expand the scope (increase the complexity) and you may find their solutions are incomplete and unintended consequences are the result.

So you want someone like Howard the engineer to design your space toilet – not Sheldon the genius physicist. But rest assured, if Howard has any questions related to String Theory, Sheldon will be the first to be consulted.

Ron