The ultimate goal of engineering is to improve mankind’s life here on earth.  But what exactly does this mean?  What is the paragon of human existence?  Engineering developments over the past 100 years have “improved” life by saving people the time and effort of performing tasks we resent, such as washing clothing or cooking food.  Other innovations have made communication instantaneous.  Toothaches, colds, and even surgeries are now easily dealt with thanks to new engineering discoveries.  It is impossible to decide whether these feats of engineering are “good” or “bad” in and of themselves, but our society should reevaluate our final goal as human beings. Do we exist merely to eat what and whenever we want, live in constant comfort, and be entertained?    Is this how we find true “happiness”?  Current trends in society seem to suggest otherwise.

 

Despite the incredible technological accomplishments and advancements the world has seen in the last century, a greater and greater percentage of the population report being “stressed out”, “unhappy”, and “unfulfilled”.  Crime rates, divorce rates, and poverty continue to plague even the most “civilized” and “industrialized” nations.  In many ways our breakthroughs in engineering and science have dehumanized the very people they serve.  Our society is slowing losing touch with the natural world and thereby losing touch with reality.  For example, a typical person lives in a city, drives a car to work on a paved road, works in an air-conditioned office, sits in front of a computer all day, eats frozen or heavily processed food, drives home at night, sits in front of the television then goes to sleep only to repeat the same routine over and over, day after day.  Everything is artificial, from our air-conditioning to the chemicals that sweeten our food.  The number one cause of death in the United States is cardiovascular disease-usually from lack of activity and an unhealthy diet.  We have replaced working in the fields and preparing our food to shopping at the grocery store or ordering a pizza.  Instead of playing outside, our children stare at the screens of video games, television, and cell phones.  We have placed such a great emphasis on technology that we have forgotten that we are not machines.  Of course we are going to be stressed out when we our bodies are idle all day and are screaming at us to move and stretch.  Of course we will be dissatisfied and unfulfilled if we are not heeding the natural laws of a happy, healthy existence.  This paradigm shift in activity has raced beyond our adaptability or evolutionary capability.       

 

Our being human, with our capacity to reason and to actually change our environment, set us apart from the remainder of the animal world.  However, “with great privilege comes great responsibility.”  Yes we should do all we can to make life more enjoyable and livable, but there must be a balance.  We cannot eliminate every unpleasant or undesirable aspect of our natural world.  Nor can we alter the natural laws that govern our universe.  As we try to change or twist things out of their proper use, we actually end up losing control instead of gaining it.  

 

What does this have to do with engineering in the next century?  These problems define our challenge-how can we engineer and retain our human element?  In the very near future, we will be forced to come to grips with what we are doing to ourselves.  We will discover that the most important problem is not transmitting data, but providing in a real way, in a human way, the physical and emotional needs of individuals.

 

In the coming years engineers will be required to consider more and more how their inventions or engineering solutions will impact society.  We need to realize that convenience is not the bottom line, that easier isn’t always better. 

 

Can engineers develop a solution to problems that are created through personal choice?  Of course, but it will take a concerted and collaborative effort between individuals, governments, and private industry to acknowledge our humanness and develop technology that serves rather than exploits our real needs.