When I write about engineering, I’m actually writing about something I have some formal training in! Four years at university and ten years on the job means its a significant part of my life.
Engineering is fun. It was an odd set of circumstances that led me to choose to study it, but I don’t regret it. An engineer’s job is to understand how the physical world works, and then to apply it to ensuring that physical things work.
Though I’ve categorised the writing on this site, I don’t compartmentalise it in my head. When I write about philosophy or politics or Christianity I have the same objective – to discover and explain how things work. There are often analogues that emerge, linking one area to another.
I do a fair bit of writing associated with my work as an engineer. I work in the energy industry, mainly involved in the design of oil and gas facilities and pipelines and, more recently, hydrogen systems. I am a contributor to Australia’s high-pressure pipeline standard AS/NZS 2885.1, and I was lead author of Fracture control: a code of practice for the Australian pipeline industry.
However, in this website, I intend to only share writing about engineering and science that is accessible to the average person who doesn’t have an engineering degree.
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Good arguments… don’t neglect unseen variables
Unfortunately, a common trait among journalists, politicians and actually, lets face it, most of the population, is that they’re not very good at math. An unfortunate side-effect of this is that we make very poor arguments from data.
The story of oil
Fossil fuels are still essential for the world. And oil is still a core ingredient in international politics. And hence the recent history of Oil is still important to understand…
Hydrogen!
Hydrogen has become very topical recently. There are valid concerns about whether it will really take an important role in the energy sector. Those concerns may not be what you think…
Favourites
Science of the gaps (long read)
Perhaps you’ve heard of the “god of the gaps” objection against religion. That God is an idea superstitious minds use to fill gaps in knowledge. But is it truly more reasonable for us to fill the gaps with science?
The science is settled?
Why I am not convinced by the climate change alarmists. My reasons, are not all to do with science…
Are renewables more or less expensive? Er…
It is often claimed that renewables are less expensive. But its a deceptive claim, because it ignores some of the costs and the unusual ways that renewables interact with the rest of the system.
Recommendations
Get a degree in mechanical engineering. Seriously, it’s the best preparation for life in general.
Alternatively, there are some great sources of accessible, interesting and quality engineering and science content out there. YouTube channel Veritasium is great. There’s also a TV series called Big Bigger Biggest, which actually provides great genuine insight into the engineering underlying a range of different technologies.
Regarding Christian perspective, I recommend reading God’s Undertaker by John Lennox. It’s a must-read; I couldn’t put it down. I also follow Creation Ministries, which has superb scientific content.