In defense of Dilbert. (Letters).

I read Gregory F. Augustine Augustine, volcano, Alaska
Augustine, volcano, Alaska: see Augustine Island. Pierce's article ("Don't don't

1. Contraction of do not.

2. Nonstandard Contraction of does not.

n.
A statement of what should not be done: a list of the dos and don'ts. be a Dilbert (humour) Dilbert - A cartoon computer worker drawn by Scott Adams <scottadams@aol.com>, who works in Silicon Valley. The cartoon became so popular he left his day job. The cartoon satirises typical corporate life, especially that which revolves around computers. ," September) with some interest, since I not only am a fan of Scott Adams' strip, but have been a practicing engineer for over 30 years. Pierce Pierce may refer to: Places

Pierce, Colorado, a US town
Pierce, Idaho, a US city
Pierce, Nebraska, a US city
Pierce, Wisconsin, a US town
Mount Pierce (New Hampshire), USA, a peak in the White Mountains
Pierce County, several places

is probably right that the people in the Dilbert strip would find things equally bad at any employer. But the reason is not, as he proposes, a lack of spirituality--it's the nature of engineering and engineering management in this country. If something doesn't work, management tells the engineers to "make it work," without bothering to ask whether or not it can work!

It is regrettable that Pierce didn't check first with some engineers before writing an article that was intended to be serious, but which came out well-intentioned but uninformed.

H. Jon Thomas
San Jose, Calif.

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Author:	Thomas, H. Jon
Publication:	U.S. Catholic
Article Type:	Letter to the Editor
Date:	Nov 1, 2002
Words:	133
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