7 Wonders and the Future of Computer Science

People say that the field of Computer Science is losing popularity in the colleges because of stereotypes (nerds, pocket protectors), outsourcing, lack of human contact, a distaste for caffeine.

I conjecture that it is something else. Some might call this field a science, but I think I have lost an old argument and it is indeed engineering. Yet, what do engineers do? They more often than not build tangible objects by combining physical materials and parts into something more useful. What do they build? They design and build physical objects - some of which will last for centuries. They take theory and science and apply it to practical needs for humanity.

As a computer scientist my work is not physical, and will not outlive many. Thousands of years from now, humans won't look upon my work pondering it's meaning like we do the writings of ancient philosophers.

Yet, computer science does require the mindset of an engineer, the mindset to build. I don't think though computer science offers the same tangible rewards of other engineering fields that we are losing potential students to. As a mechanical engineer in college you might learn how to use 3D printers and machine a new prosthetic. Civil engineers build bridges and concrete canoes. Electrical engineers build hardware. These tangible devices are starkly different from the algorithms, data structures, and logic flows that computer scientists must busy themselves with.

This is a naive analysis of the situation of you consider the use of software. Without software, countless devices that we rely on today would not exist - from space shuttles, medical devices to the cell phone - but the impact isn't direct. A student of computer science would more than likely never work closely to a physical product. An undergraduate student will be lucky if they design a complete and useful software package in their four years, with most focusing on small exercises, useful and powerful as teaching devices, but far from the experiences other engineering students enjoy.

So the question remains - how do we attract the builders, the Galts into a field where the impact is much less tangible than our Seven Wonders?

I believe this might be a matter of communication to potential students. Software might not be what is studied by future archaeologists, but it will be responsible for the survival and continuation of human life on this planet and hopefully others. It will be the silent hero in preserving quality of life and health - keeping society humming nicely along - so that our other engineering compatriots can continue along building their bridges, temples, and artifacts for future generations to ponder.

Now, just to find a way to convey this crazy hypothesis to enough freshman college students this fall ....