"Older men declare war, but it is the youth that must fight and die" -Entrepreneurial Engineer (31st president of USA)
Ai technologies are builded by computer scientists and tech entrepreneurs. Ai is changing economy, politics, science and our social life styles. Majority of successuful unicorn tech founders are from engineering or computer science background according to Ilya Strebulaev, the Stanford professor of Venture Capital (Strebulaev, 2023). But, why are politicians less from engineering background?
Why are engineers not getting politicians?
There are a few reasons why engineers may struggle to become successful politicians:
#01 Different skill set: Engineers typically have a very technical skill set, focused on problem-solving and attention to detail. Politicians, on the other hand, need to have strong interpersonal skills, be persuasive, and have the ability to navigate complex political landscapes.
#02 Lack of interest: Many engineers are passionate about their field and may not have a strong interest in politics or public policy. They may prefer to focus their efforts on advancing their technical expertise rather than navigating the political sphere.
#03 Limited exposure: Engineers may have limited exposure to political environments and may not have the same level of political connections or experience as career politicians.
#04 Risk aversion: Engineers may be more risk-averse than politicians, who are often willing to take bold stances and make big promises to win over voters. Engineers may be more cautious in their approach to problem-solving and may be less comfortable with the uncertainties and trade-offs that are inherent in politics.
Of course, there are many exceptions to these generalizations, and engineers can certainly be successful politicians if they have the right combination of skills, interests, and experience.
Some examples of engineers who become politicians
One example of a scientist who became a successful politician is Angela Merkel. Merkel earned a PhD in physical chemistry and worked as a research scientist before transitioning to politics. She served as the Chancellor of Germany from 2005 to 2021, during which time she was widely regarded as one of the most powerful leaders in Europe. Her scientific background and analytical approach to problem-solving were seen as strengths during her time in office. Another example is an engineer like Alexander Graham Bell, who was not only an inventor but also actively involved in the Canadian political landscape, serving as a vocal advocate for the deaf and supporting various causes related to aviation and technology.
Herbert Hoover : was a mining engineer, entrepreneur, philantropist and Stanford university alumni who became the 31st President of the United States in 1929. He was from the Republican party. He was known for his expertise engineering and humanitarian efforts, including leading relief efforts during World War I, Great Depression, and the 1927 Mississippi River flood. Hoover was also the founder of Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace at Stanford university for american public policy thinking, personal and economic liberty.
Thomas Edison: renowned inventor and entrepreneur, although primarily known for his groundbreaking contributions to technology, also held an active role in political affairs. While he never directly engaged in women's suffrage movements, his beliefs regarding gender equality and the empowerment of women were ahead of his time. Edison expressed support for suffragettes, once stating that if women were granted the right to vote, it would "bring about a more rapid improvement in the social, industrial, and political conditions of the world." His progressive views on women's rights contributed to a broader shift in societal attitudes, helping pave the way for the eventual success of the women's suffrage movement. Maybe you need to know a bit about wife of Thomas Edison as well (Hobbs, 2023)
Leonardo Da Vinci: was often employed by political leaders and rulers. For example, he worked as a military engineer and architect for the powerful Medici family in Florence, and later he served as an advisor to the French king Francis I. Leonardo also created many works of art that were commissioned by political figures, such as his famous portrait of Lisa Gherardini, also known as the Mona Lisa, which was commissioned by the Florentine merchant Francesco del Giocondo. So while Leonardo da Vinci was not a politician himself, his work and talents did bring him into contact with many political figures and leaders of his time.
Sundar Pichai: studied electrical engineering who is currently the CEO of Google. While he has not held political office, he has testified before Congress on a number of occasions on issues related to privacy, data security, and antitrust regulation. (D’Onfro, 2018)
António Guterres: The UN Director, Former Portugal Prime Minister, studied electrical engineering and telecommunication at Instituto Superior Técnico.
How an engineer can be a successul politician defeating a non-engineering political rivals?
If an engineer is interested in pursuing a career in politics, there are a few steps they can take to prepare themselves:
#05 Gain political experience: Engineers can get involved in local politics by volunteering for a political campaign or serving on a local government board or commission. This can help them gain valuable experience and build connections within the political sphere.
#06 Develop strong communication skills: Engineers should work on developing their communication skills, including public speaking, persuasive writing, and media relations. Being able to clearly communicate complex technical information to a broad audience is essential for success in politics.
#07 Build a network: Engineers should work to build a strong network of professional and political contacts. This can include attending conferences, joining professional organizations, and participating in political events.
#08 Develop a deep understanding of policy issues: Engineers should educate themselves on a broad range of policy issues, including economic, social, and environmental policy. They should be able to analyze and understand the potential impact of policy decisions on different groups of people.
#09 Learn to navigate political environments: Engineers should become familiar with the political landscape, including the various stakeholders and interest groups that can impact policy decisions. They should also develop a sense of the political climate and be able to understand the implications of different political events and trends.
By taking these steps, engineers can position themselves for success in politics and bring their unique technical expertise to bear on the complex challenges facing society.
Do tech entrepreneurs sponsering political campagins are shadowing politics?
It is possible that some engineers who have become successful technology entrepreneurs sponsor political campaigns for various reasons. Here are a few possible motivations:
Advocating for policy changes: Tech entrepreneurs may support political campaigns as a way to advocate for policy changes that align with their business interests. This could include issues related to intellectual property, immigration, or regulatory reform. (Zahn, 2023).
Building relationships: By sponsoring political campaigns, tech entrepreneurs can build relationships with elected officials and other political figures. This can help them gain access to policymakers and potentially influence policy decisions.
Reputation management: Supporting political campaigns can help tech entrepreneurs build their reputation and increase their visibility in the public eye. This can be especially important for companies that are seeking to establish themselves as leaders in their industry.
Corporate social responsibility: Many tech entrepreneurs are passionate about giving back to their communities and supporting social causes. Sponsoring political campaigns can be seen as part of a broader corporate social responsibility strategy. (Zahn, 2023).
It's worth noting that while some tech entrepreneurs may sponsor political campaigns for self-interested reasons, many are genuinely committed to making a positive impact on society and believe that political engagement is an important way to achieve that goal. Ultimately, the motivations behind political sponsorship will vary depending on the individual and the specific circumstances.
What are the engineering contributions to the society and humanity?
......The electricity is the every second contribution by engineer to society. Engineers make homes, smartphones, Ai, EV cars, fix environmental issues, make medical devices saving lives, made satellites, made TV, made phones, made internet, made airplanes for people to travel beyond borders, etc. Engineers are getting more into politics, stock market, climate change problems, etc. If you stop engineers, they will engineer a restart again (engineering iterations) and it is historically highly to see more engineers like Herbert Hoover to step in as next political leaders soon if you compare 2023 condition to Great Depression in 1920s in history:
"....Before serving as America’s 31st President from 1929 to 1933, Herbert Hoover had achieved international success as a mining engineer and worldwide gratitude as "The Great Humanitarion" who fed war-torn Europe during and after World War I". (White House, 2021)....
"...despite Roosevelt’s active intervention, some historians have argued for a more sympathetic appraisal of Hoover’s presidency...." (History, 2009).
Disclaimer I: If the name of the specific politicians with engineering degrees or current world leaders without engineering degrees are not cited in this review, because they are doing Great Anti-Humantarian Practices such as started wars or polarized the countries, or support/let transgenders be in women sports instead of making a third gender league seperately for transgenders for fairness and justice. The transgenders in women sports should be investigated scientifically (Ortega, 2023).
Disclaimer II: DS DESIGNS does not support or promote any political parties. However, journalism in business and politics with critical thinking and entrepeneurial brainstorming are highly valued. Business and politics are in great tandem with each other affecting entrepreneurs, investors, startups and corporates.
Bibliography:
Strebulaev, I. (2023) Undergraduate Majors of Unicorn Founders, Linkedin.com. Available at: https://www.linkedin.com/posts/ilyavcandpe_stanford-stanfordgsb-venturecapital-activity-7051554036864450561-UaSp?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop (Accessed: April 27, 2023).
D’Onfro, J. (2018) Google’s Sundar Pichai was grilled on privacy, data collection, and China during congressional hearing, CNBC. Available at: https://www.cnbc.com/2018/12/11/google-ceo-sundar-pichai-testifies-before-congress-on-bias-privacy.html (Accessed: April 27, 2023).
Hobbs, K. (2023). Mina miller Edison was much more than the wife of the “wizard of Menlo Park.” Smithsonian Magazine. https://www.smithsonianmag.com/history/mina-miller-edison-was-more-than-the-wife-of-the-wizard-of-menlo-park-180981726/
White House (2021) Herbert Hoover. Available at: https://www.whitehouse.gov/about-the-white-house/presidents/herbert-hoover/ (Accessed: April 27, 2023).
Herbert Hoover Presidential Museum (2017) The great depression, The Herbert Hoover Presidential Library and Museum. Available at: https://hoover.archives.gov/exhibits/great-depression (Accessed: April 27, 2023).
History (2009) Herbert Hoover. Available at: https://www.history.com/topics/us-presidents/herbert-hoover (Accessed: April 27, 2023).
Ortega, R. P. (2023) World Athletics banned transgender women from competing. Does science support the rule?, Science. Available at: https://www.science.org/content/article/world-athletics-banned-transgender-women-competing-does-science-support-rule (Accessed: April 27, 2023).
Zahn, M. (2023) Elon Musk slams AI “bias” and calls for “TruthGPT.” Experts question his neutrality, ABC News. Available at: https://abcnews.go.com/Business/elon-musk-slams-ai-bias-calls-truthgpt-experts/story?id=98660483 (Accessed: April 27, 2023).
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