Re: Rudman, Rudman Regs, and a big Thank You!

[Lee Hart <leeahart@earthlink.net>]

I'd like to put in a good word for Rich Rudman. I first met Rich about 5
years ago when I was working in Seattle. He is an incredible bundle of
energy, enthusiasm, and creativity; like a 10-year-old with Edison's
brain. He spent many hours helping me get my LecHart EV on the road in
Seattle, when I was far from home and with limited access to tools and
materials. I have bought his regulators, and they work exactly as
advertised. When I had questions or ideas on them, he was more than
generous with his time and knowledge.

I would also like to apologize for his behavior. Some of you may not
know that he suffers from a terrible debilitating illness, one that I
have to face myself; Technolomonomanic disorder, or Engineer Disease as
it is more widely known.

This brain disorder causes an obsessive focus on the technological
aspects of any situation. For example, if you say, "I heard something
bad about you", a normal person will immediately respond, "Who said it?
They're lying! This is all X's fault! I'll kill 'em!"

But a person with Engineer disease will say, "What happened? Where's the
data? I'll bet we could fix it like this..." Note the total lack of
concern about personal matters, and inappropriate focus on actually
solving the problem.

This relentless drive toward continuous improvement of any situation is
endless. Many managers have complained that they have to "shoot the
engineers" to be able to ship a product. Until someone pries the design
out of the engineer's hot little hands, they will keep "improving" it
forever.
--
"Engineer Disease" by Lee Hart

Hello, Mrs. Rudman, how has Richie been today?
You say he stays indoors and works while others are at play?
He doesn't care a bit for sports and doesn't watch TVs?
Unless it's his computer screen of cryptic jargonese?

You say you tried Nintendo games, the ones that I prescribed?
But he disassembled them to see what was inside?
Last week he mixed the chemicals you keep under the sink.
It ate holes in the vinyl floor and made an awful stink.

There's grease beneath his fingernails, and acid holed his jeans.
Those marks upon his fingers are from soldering, it seems.
There is no need for further tests; dress now if you please.
Young man, I fear you're suffering from Engineer Disease.

Widespread in the 60's, it drove men to the moon.
And it could happen yet again unless we cure it soon.
It's showing up at MIT, and in the Japanese
They face an epidemic of the Engineer Disease.

In early stages, patients tend to ask "why..." all the time.
Next they disassemble things, then "fix" things that are fine.
Though math and science skills excel, emotion atrophies.
It's all the sad prognosis for the Engineer Disease.

Compose yourself, my dear, it's not as hopeless as you think.
It's not as if he uses drugs, or alcoholic drink.
But you must curb his use of tools and fancy new PCs
To help control the progress of his Engineer Disease.

At last that kid is finally gone: Nurse, call x-ray repair.
He moved this wire here, I think, but I don't know from where.
They just can't leave a thing alone. Next patient please.
Let's hope it's not another case of Engineer Disease!