Technology, or magic
Society loves magicians. I can confirm this, after a lifetime of doing magic tricks for others. What I really want to say is that being a technician gives you a special insight into that quote from A.C.Clarke. The one that goes something like this: “any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic”.
There is a corollary. Even if you pay to have a job done, by an expert, if it works that is magic. We live in a society where professionals learn by doing. Trial implies error. Flying by “the seat of your pants”.
I have my own fond memories from my early days. The afternoon when I allowed some fresh air into a new CRT. Or the time I permitted the “holy smoke” to escape from a primitive Apple floppy drive. Any technician can tell you similar anecdotes; it was the cost of education, before the magic got real.
I happened across a long video, where a professional was brought in to redress the problems with an installation by another professional. On one of those shiny Airstream trailers, and that proves that the case involve P2P (pro to pro). What I took away from the story is that when certain systems do not work, you have to blame the person that did the original installation. Even if it meant removing all traces of the job and starting over. Magic.
What’s my point? There isn’t one. I now realize that anything works, in the technical sector, implies a bit of magic. And if you pay for the job, twice, that confirms reality.
