Engineers are Terror-ble?

Engineers are angry – Beware!

Are engineers statistically more likely to be terrorists than other disciplines (or rather terrorists are more likely to be engineers) . If that is explained by greater ability to do something once they decide (they don’t have to learn much new to make a bomb etc.). They have ability to learn how to fly a plane? Or if it can be explained by their disappointment with engineering/science.

As discussed here Slate / Build-a-Bomber and here Fred Borz/ Are engineers more likely to become terrorists a study (reported as an essay in new scientist) found that among muslims, engineers were 3-4 times more likely to become terrorists. Also 60% of `muslim terrorists’ born in the west had engineering backgrounds.

Actually it seems like the disappointment from thwarted expectations is what made these people angry.

Gambetta and Hertog propose that a lack of appropriate jobs in their home countries may have radicalized some engineers in Arab countries. The graduates they studied came of age at a time when a degree from a competitive technical program was supposed to provide a guarantee of high-status employment. But the promises of modernization and development were often stymied by repression and corruption, and many young engineers in the 1980s were left jobless and frustrated.

Regarding American domestic terrorists I am not sure the trend holds true…
The Unabomber is said to be a talented mathematician, more likely to target engineers then be one. Timothy McVeigh left the education system after high school.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner Launch

The Boeing Dreamliner was launched for the first test flight yesterday.

The Boeing 787 is around the same size as 767-300. However the 787 is planned to be 20% more fuel-efficient than the 767. The efficiency comes equally from improvements in the engines, aerodynamics and reduced weight by use of composite materials, and the use of improved systems.

20% improvement in efficiency should translate into a 15% saving in operational efficiency.

Each plane can interchangeably use either the General Electric GEnx or Rolls-Royce Trent 1000, due to the design of a common interface. The Rolls-Royce engine was used for the test-flight.

Something americans need to know… about RON PAUL

If you are American and you believe your country should be for the American people, you should really check out RON PAUL.

Being that rarest of thing, an Honest Politician, seemingly an oxymoron, an enigma wrapped in contradiction… I think it only works because the Truth is so needed, and in such short supply.

Ron Paul may be the only candidate who is interested in saving your country, and has spent the time thinking about what really needs to be done.

He’s a true conservative, and truly compassionate. He knows you can’t afford to continue the needless war in Iraq, and you won’t be able to pay for the domestic spending promises either without changing course now.

A truly passionate and educated man, it’s time to hear his message.

You know I feel embarrassed to believe a politician can be a good person. Look at his voting record, he really votes as he believes the constitution dictates, because he knows the rule of law is paramount to maintain any nation. Change the laws if they are anachronistic, but you can’t ignore them!

US Presidential candidates court over-weight voters

Worth watching this special report by the Onion News Network on the lengths the presidential candidates are prepared to go to in garnering votes.

[Can't embed movie here]

Iowa Caucus’

Google maps displayed the results of the Iowa Caucus’ (part of the process to decide the candidates for the U.S. president) live on their website, you can see the final results here:
Election results.

Barrack Obama and John Edwards both received more support than the much touted Hilary Clinton – looking at the number of votes cast the three are about equal with not much competition after that. Mike Huckabee did very well in the republican voting, followed by Romney, Thompson, McCain and Ron Paul (polled around 10% but won one county despite being largely ignored by the main stream media and not iinvited to a final debate in Iowa). Rudy Giuliani must be disappointed to have received less than 5% of the vote.