I Design the Internet

So, my 6 year old daughter knows I’m an engineer — telecommunications engineer, for what it’s worth. Being the curious minded monkey she is, last knight— out of the blue — she started grilling me on what exactly it was I did.

I’ve explained to her in the past how some technical professions worked and were interrelated. Scientists discover how things work. Then doctors and engineers use that information to help the world in different ways.

“YOU DESIGN NOTHING!”

Her: “So dad, you say you’re an engineer, but I don’t see you selling cellphones.”

Me: “Oh, no, engineers don’t sell things. We design things.”

Her, looking out the window: “So, do you design houses?”

Me: “No, architects and civil engineers design houses.”

Her: “Do you design cars?”

Me: “No. Mechanical engineers design cars.”

Her: “Do you design bridges?”

Me: “No. Civil engineers do those.”

Her: “Do you design toys?”

Me: “No. Those are… actually, I really don’t know who they are. I wish I could be one of them.”

Her: “THEN YOU DESIGN NOTHING!”

That struck me as an oddly piercing statement. It almost felt like an accusation. Like if it would be my own mother who, not fully understanding the modern industry and economic landscape, would be telling me I should be getting a “real” job.

I proceeded to do my best possible explanation of how I design systems which allow people from many different places to communicate and collaborate together over the internet and mobile networks, to which she replied with a confused/disappointed “oh, ok.”

I then dawned on me how much of what I do is so abstract and somewhat intangible for her.

Her: “So you design the internet.”

Me: “Yes, my love. Yes I do.”