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Discussion » Statements » Rosie's Corner » If you know HOW something works how essential is it to also know WHY?
RosieG

If you know HOW something works how essential is it to also know WHY?

Posted - July 12, 2019
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Responses


  • 6023
    I guess that depends on how involved you are with the "project".

    I know internal combustion engines work.  I have no idea the difference between a gas and diesel engine, other than the fuel. 
    But then again, I'm just a driver - not a mechanic.

    If a mechanic couldn't tell the difference, they probably aren't a very good mechanic.
    They know how the engine works ... but they don't need to know why gas/diesel combusts.

    Someone designing a new fuel additive would need to know why gas/diesel combusts ... in order to ensure their chemical doesn't prevent that.
      July 12, 2019 9:43 AM MDT
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  • 113301
    How about quantum entanglement Walt? Do you know WHY it exists? Do you know the how or why of it? Thank you for your reply!  :)
      July 12, 2019 11:49 AM MDT
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  • 6023
    Nope ... I don't know much about it.
    I've heard it would allow quantum computers to connect over any distance.
    I've heard they proved it by altering an atom on Earth and a linked one altered the same way in orbit, when they did so.

    But it's all "magic" to me.
    (Clarke's Third Law: Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.)
      July 12, 2019 12:22 PM MDT
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  • 113301
    I'm with you m'dear! "Magical mystical" about covers it. I saw a program about it on the Science Channel awhile back. It was "explained" by showing possible invisible connectors linking many things over millions of miles. Is that "Clarke's Third Law" real Walt? I love it! I guess I can Google it. The reason I love scifi so is precisely because of its imaginative creative inventive nature. Quantum physics is like that too. Sometimes the physicists will tell you they don't why it works or how it works. All they know is that it works. They seek to find the how and why. It is never boring for sure.  Thank you for your helpful reply.  It's good that we don't have to know how or why to appreciate isn't it?
      July 13, 2019 3:18 AM MDT
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  • 6023
    My favorite characters of any science fiction were the Technomages (Babylon5).
    They used technology so advanced, they appeared to be magicians - even to highly technical civilizations.
    But it was never addressed where their technology came from.

    In StarWars, fans debate whether or not the "force" is actually "lost" technology.
    Some fans claim the midichlorians are actually what we call nano-tech, and not living creatures.
      July 15, 2019 10:07 AM MDT
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  • 46117
    How it works can also mean why it works too.  I assume you mean why we have it in the first place?  

    It depends on what IT is.  I can tell you (copy/paste) how the sun works, but I cannot tell you why.  Who knows?  
      July 12, 2019 10:32 AM MDT
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  • 113301
    Thank you for your reply.
      July 13, 2019 3:19 AM MDT
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