Without intending any insult, you're really coming across like a lot of the 'Holier-than-Thou' elitist academics that I've been around at D.O.E. physics labs. It's hardly ever the snot-nosed University-punks who hold a Chair somewhere, or who have published a paper in the MIT or Harvard Gazette, that ever seem to get the work done. It's always been the guys who can translate the proposed or theoretical into workable testing or application systems that have my respect. I've had to sit in meetings and listen to the blusterous puffery of Physics PhD's and Philosophers who couldn't build a damn doghouse with a "..connect-the-dots-kit.." from WalMart. Meanwhile, their staff was back in the shop making miracles out of practically nothing (..with a little help from some very good and broadly experienced engineers and technicians..).
It's also a little presumptive of you to presume where I get any or all of my information, since you don't know me, nor were you around when I was looking for interesting new ideas to consider. Those little cheap-shot caveats of yours come across rather poorly.
I guess that's why I kind of like guys like Diwan. You see, I don't need any academic-elitist snobs to validate me. I hardly ever mention it, but I'm published in numerous electronics upgrade and repair directives used in the commercial airlines aircraft avionics repair industry. When it really comes to the "..rubber meeting the road.." though, I can take people to 100s of extremely successful projects that I've had a lead roll in. Or, I can refer them to the Project Engineer or Plant Manager/CEO. It's a kick to say, "..this is how I do it..", while people watch the "..widgets.." coming rolling out the truck dock doors - as the Plant Manager counts his profits.
I kind of imagine that Anil Diwan is like that. Not willing to kiss up to the system, but capable of making some reasonable achievements by building oh his years of overall experince - while the snoots weren't watching.
It's all part of what makes technical America a great place. Much like Woody Norris of ASCO, there are many self-educated people doing wonderous things. Norris didn't finish high school I don't believe, yet he, like Dr. Bose, holds numerous high-tech patents. And now, he has a slick new personal aircraft to his credit.
My cousin John J is a ChemE from U WI, and he runs two or more refineries for TOSCO or somebody. My cousin Jim is a top level muckitymuck, R&D guy, and engineering manager for H-P. Both these guys are a little sharper than me, but I've got Billions of dollars more construction built under my direct responsibility than they do. After 30+ years of work, I feel pretty good about it. No fires, no failures, no maintenance problems, everything worked, and not one single person ever got hurt building it 'on my watch'. I may not have a Masters, a PhD or be in Who's Who, but I'll certainly stand on my record.
Well, thanks again for your insight. It helps make the picture clearer, based on your POV.
John :-)
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