I saw this thread and since the last post TOO old i figured i would try and give it a try because i think that it truly is a good thread and i would like to try to shed some of my own brand of light on this.
Frankly I'm not an engineer, i don't have the knowledge, skill, or gall to claim to be one, I'm mostly an artist (no i don't have a degree in that). I got to thinking about what allows someone to say they are something like an engineer. I realized its a mix of knowledge and experience but not necessarily a degree (though that tends to give you both). No an engineer with a degree is a professional engineer. Frankly I know lots of people with no degrees who i would say can definitely be considered an engineer. It doesn't mean i would trust them to build a bridge or something along those lines but i think that at some point what you do defines who you are. Its just that saying some people aren't engineers is like saying Frank Lloyd Wright wasn't an architect (who never got a degree in college either). Or the Wright brothers.
I mean i recently read a story about a man who invented a completely revolutioniary type of aircraft and this man is a icecream refrigerator repair man. I would not hesitate in compairing him and his invention to Mr.Kamen and his Segway. I consider them both great engineers.
I saw a lot of talk about not belittling engineers and i agree! Anybody who can get a degree as an engineer fully deserves to be called one but also the title is not exclusive. The word engineer comes from the Latin root ingenium which translates into ability. Anyone with the ability to make advancements in a specific technical field and fully understand all the concepts of such field is in my opinion (if not yours) an engineer and deserves my respect as such. Everyone can throw around this dictionary version of what a engineer is but i think we miss the core of it.
I know this may not be the most accepted opinion and doubtlessly I will hear a couple reasons clearly define why I'm wrong but i want to make it clear that i don't intend to deceive you with the illusion that I'm right. I'm expressing an opinion based on my experience (as limited as it may be). Just read my post and keep an open mind and an open eye to the past (before they handed out engineering degrees
) Darn it why am i only serious when talking about a controversial and philosophical dilemma?
I guess their is nothing i love more than a good challenge on my birthday