The Offense of Knowledge
Oct 8th, 2008 by rdonoghue
The financial crisis is no trivial matter, no one would argue otherwise, but I can’t help but note how much it offends some people I know and think about it a little. Some of it is normal indignation, some of it is personal interest in the impact this has, but what’s curious is that I think no small part of it is hurt pride.
I know a lot of engineers and technology-oriented people. These are smart people, smart enough that it often makes for a bit of a chip on their shoulder. They have strong opinions on politics, but usually with a certain bit of disdain, as if mere politicians are not really smart enough to understand things.
The financial crisis takes a hammer to this because of it’s sheer complexity. These very smart people are obliged to face the fact that people in non-engineering fields might be smart too. Actually smart, not just touchy-feely emotionally smart. That the sources of these problems are something they cannot understand cuts to a pretty primal nerve.
I think it’s a good thing. Geeks are pretty complacent, even if they’re highly verbal and argumentative. Having these smart people get interested in and possibly even respectful of the intelligence required for other fields could be a great boon on so many levels.