Why doesn't society hold inventors in the same light as artists?

[DanielDudley]

You know that technology is right when nobody thinks about it because it is so seamless.

At some point though, if you are really good, you need to think about having your own company.
That would be you UB.

[john70t]

The best inspiration:
Occurs between two equals in competition, in a safe environment.

But 'personal safety' is no longer guaranteed on the streets these days.
Weak people are randomly attacked daily.
Don't be weak.

[island911]

nah, it's that people don't want to be seen with their hand on their chin staring at masterfully executed piece of engineering, pretending that they know what they're looking at. -- wine? ... cheese?

[Alfasrule]

Being an engineer SUCKs!! Especially if your smart ~5% of them as far as I'm concerned. I'm not one of them, but I know my STUFF. The company you work for makes you sign an agreement for your BRAIN and whatever comes out of it belongs to IT!! They're SCUM BAGS, cause the inventor never gets his proper compensation, but the BIG GOONS do cause of your invention. Oh a few thousand maybe and plaque, OH Thanks! you SCUM BAGS!

I would never encourage someone to become an engineer, 35 years in this GIG!! Electrical.

[Crowbob]

It's not whether you're an artist or an engineer.

It's the synthesis of the two.

The synthesism idea was brought to us through modern art. Synthesism is also such a beautiful word.

[island911]

Both artists and engineers are about ingenuity (root of the word engineer).

Artists smartly combine elements, abstract, or direct, usually to frame a social narrative or construct, or emotion.
Engineers also smartly combine elements, but generally for utility of some sort. Like a world dominating 911SC.

[island911]

What I think is messed up is that copyright gives more protection than patent.

Just look at the "piracy" warnings at the start of movies. --it's not like there is patent police looking for people to slap with fines.

BTW, I have patents, and even one stolen --was (fraudulently) assigned to a co-worker when I left. Funny, I have that co-worker's signature (witness) on the original sketch. If anyone has the # for the Patent Police, let me know.

[Charles Freeborn]

Having spent my career in the "arts" I can say with certainty that holding patents and creating profitable products is a FAR smarter career choice...

[RKDinOKC]

Art is interpreted and valued based on that interpretation. Inventions are manufactured and used and are valued based on the value of the niche they fill and the competitive manufacturing required to make them useful.

Also inventors don't sign their inventions.

[72doug2,2S]

Inventors = sell outs
Artists = either pure craftsmen, or sell outs. And if they're sell outs, they're no longer artists.

[wdfifteen]

Originally Posted by john70t

But 'personal safety' is no longer guaranteed on the streets these days.

These days? When was it guaranteed?

[DanielDudley]

Originally Posted by 72doug2,2S

Inventors = sell outs
Artists = either pure craftsmen, or sell outs. And if they're sell outs, they're no longer artists.

My FIL was a farmer, and he studied nights to become an engineer. He went to work for the John Deere company, and he designed teh first harvester with self sharpening blades. All his working life he strove to design things that would make life better for the working man and the world.

I wouldn't call that selling out.

[MBAtarga]

I'll take a Thomas Edison over Picasso any day! Whom do you think has humanity benefited from the most?

[berettafan]

isn't art just psychology on canvas?

[jhynesrockmtn]

I would venture that a similar percentage of engineers and inventors are as famous as artists. I dated an artist for a few years and met a bunch of her friends and peers in Seattle. Most were of the starving variety. Similar with musicians. I have a few friends in the local music scene in both Seattle and Spokane and have been to a bunch of local shows. I'm not sure any of them make money in music. All have day jobs doing a variety of things. You invented things as an employee for a company. What exactly do you expect in terms of recognition?

This lady is pretty damn famous......

Joy Mangano - Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joy_Mangano

[Fast Freddy 944]

Originally Posted by unclebilly

So this is a question that has been bugging since a recent thread on PPOT...

I've developed technology over the past 20 years that has created hundreds of well paying jobs and generated hundreds of millions in revenue. My inventions range from alternative energy conversion devices to simple oil patch tools and the companies I have worked for hold the patents...

Given that a few of my inventions have grossed several hundred million dollars in revenue, about the same value as the most famous paintings, why am I not famous like Pablo Picasso or Vincent Van Gogh?

Clearly I have created something new (patents), and unlike the famous artists what I have created has resulted in a number of high paying jobs in Canada, the US, Russia, Norway, Turkey, and other countries with oil.

I don't get it. Commercialization of a concept involves as much blood, sweat and tears as painting a picture (if not more)...

Fellow technology developers, chime in.

Bro, that depends on your point of view, and what part of the earth you are on. In the south, Artist, and inventors are both respected and admired. Hell musicians, chefs and every one else is admired. Some times schools and colleges teach how they want you to think, then poo-poo everything else. So I reckon its where you are located and people's attitude to things and accomplishments dictate their beliefs.....