Dangers of nostalgia

I suggest that those concerned about the small number of young people wanting careers in engineering should go into schools and ask what are the attitudes of the youngsters' parents and grandparents towards modern engineering.

I would bet my life savings that they think the only worthwhile engineering is that of the past, that of the present is rubbish and that of the future will be truly diabolical. These opinions must be influencing the budding generation.

Until we as a nation grow up and embrace modernity instead of trying to fight it we will remain where we are — shackled to a foolish, rose-tinted nostalgia while every other country in the world manufactures for the future and prospers.

Andrea Preston

Staffs