Comments on: Alex Diagnosed with “The Knack” http://www.drozmonkey.com/2007/02/20/alex-diagnosed-with-the-knack/ The Adventures of JR, Jenny, Olivia, Molly, Violet, and Red. Wed, 08 Oct 2008 06:22:50 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.6 By: drozmonkey http://www.drozmonkey.com/2007/02/20/alex-diagnosed-with-the-knack/#comment-216 drozmonkey Fri, 23 Feb 2007 01:51:06 +0000 http://www.drozmonkey.com/2007/02/20/alex-diagnosed-with-the-knack/#comment-216 As an engineer, I feel obligated to defend my profession against the stereotype that engineers have poor communication skills. Engineers rarely work alone and are required to communicate ideas with other engineers and non-engineers. From my experience, the majority of engineers have very good communication skills. For a personal example, my senior year I placed 5th in <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Extemporaneous_Speaking">Extemporaneous Speaking</a> at State Speech. It was the first year we had a speech team and our team also won. The Kanes might remember that year at State speech as I believe Nuemann was there as well, though they were not quite as successful. I enjoy bringing that story up although I might regret it tonight out in Red's dog house. As an engineer, I feel obligated to defend my profession against the stereotype that engineers have poor communication skills. Engineers rarely work alone and are required to communicate ideas with other engineers and non-engineers. From my experience, the majority of engineers have very good communication skills. For a personal example, my senior year I placed 5th in Extemporaneous Speaking at State Speech. It was the first year we had a speech team and our team also won. The Kanes might remember that year at State speech as I believe Nuemann was there as well, though they were not quite as successful. I enjoy bringing that story up although I might regret it tonight out in Red’s dog house.

]]> By: Norm Andrews http://www.drozmonkey.com/2007/02/20/alex-diagnosed-with-the-knack/#comment-215 Norm Andrews Thu, 22 Feb 2007 17:20:26 +0000 http://www.drozmonkey.com/2007/02/20/alex-diagnosed-with-the-knack/#comment-215 On behalf of Grandpa Kane and Grandpa Andrews, I have to point out that if the kids happen to be blessed with eternal optimism, and have all of the other qualities except "The Knack" maybe they will grow up to be farmers! Anybody can fix stuff with good equipment, but only a farmer will think that they can do it with a piece of junk that came from over under the oak tree. Only a farmer would have tried to stick a fork into an electronic socket in the first place (usually with a bad result), but the "future engineer" who has "the knack" will do it and actually get a good outcome. Both your post and Lisa's post have really had me smiling a lot for the last couple of days as I watch the boys, and remember all of the stuff J.R. took apart since age 3. As always Grandpa Andrews On behalf of Grandpa Kane and Grandpa Andrews,
I have to point out that if the kids happen to be blessed with eternal optimism, and have all of the other qualities except “The Knack” maybe they will grow up to be farmers! Anybody can fix stuff with good equipment, but only a farmer will think that they can do it with a piece of junk that came from over under the oak tree.

Only a farmer would have tried to stick a fork into an electronic socket in the first place (usually with a bad result), but the “future engineer” who has “the knack” will do it and actually get a good outcome.

Both your post and Lisa’s post have really had me smiling a lot for the last couple of days as I watch the boys, and remember all of the stuff J.R. took apart since age 3.

As always
Grandpa Andrews

]]> By: Grandpa Kane http://www.drozmonkey.com/2007/02/20/alex-diagnosed-with-the-knack/#comment-213 Grandpa Kane Thu, 22 Feb 2007 05:23:20 +0000 http://www.drozmonkey.com/2007/02/20/alex-diagnosed-with-the-knack/#comment-213 If only he could have been blessed with good comunication skills as well, he could have been a real person. Ha Ha! If only he could have been blessed with good comunication skills as well, he could have been a real person. Ha Ha!

]]> By: Grandma Kane http://www.drozmonkey.com/2007/02/20/alex-diagnosed-with-the-knack/#comment-212 Grandma Kane Wed, 21 Feb 2007 12:38:29 +0000 http://www.drozmonkey.com/2007/02/20/alex-diagnosed-with-the-knack/#comment-212 Thanks for the video explanation, JR! As a math major, I ran into a lot of engineering majors and always wondered what set them apart! Thanks for the video explanation, JR! As a math major, I ran into a lot of engineering majors and always wondered what set them apart!

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