GR 'Father Rapier'

[Scott Badger]

Keith:

>>From Chardin's _The Human Phenomenon_:

>
> When an
>energy runs amok, the engineer, far from questioning the power itself,
>simply works out his calculations afresh to see how it can be brought
better
>under control.

GR, 314:

    In the days when the white engineers were disputing the atributes of the
feeder system that was to be, one of them came to Enzian of Bleicherode and
said, "We cannot agree on the chamber pressure. Our calculations show that a
working pressure of 40 atu would be most desirable. But all the data we know
of are grouped around a value of only some atu."
    "Then clearly," replied the Nguarorerue, "you must listen to the data."
    "But that would not be the most perfect or efficient value," protested
the German.
    "Proud man," said the Nguarorerue. "What are these data, if not direct
revelations? Where have they come from, if not from the Rocket which is to
be? How do you presume to compare a numer you have only derived on paper
with a number that is the Rocket's own? Avoid pride, and design to some
compromise value."