That's *cranky*. I have little patience for distractions (of any kind) when I'm over tired (and focused on getting things in order so I can
*rest*) or "overloaded" -- and need to get things off my plate so I can concentrate on something "new".People aren't hostile to ideas (JL sees *everything* as some aspect of hostility; an entirely passive-aggressive outlook on life).
But, people can be resistant to the *consequences* of ideas. Direct or otherwise.
NIH figures big in engineering. Folks always want to think their PAST accomplishment is somehow the epitome of thinking on that subject. This is likely some reflection on their own ego as well as a manifestation of "laziness" -- they aren't really interested in solving a problem again, even if *better*!
And, engineering is a field where one is quickly obsolete. Especially if too narrow a focus in your endeavors.
I had a stick-in-the-mud fight tooth-and-nail against replacing HIS decade-old analog control system with a digital one. Despite the fact that customers weren't buying it anymore AND sales of the "controlled equipment" (7 figures) were being lost because of this "antiquated offering".
Another old-timer fought to preserve a part numbering system that, ages ago (when fewer parts were in inventory) would allow him to fabricate a "close approximation" to a desired part number using a paper cheat sheet he kept in his wallet. ("And what do we do when you're on vacation? Or, RETIRE??!")
Another *principal* argued that developers should use octal notation to specify *opcodes* (!) using a similar "pocket assembler". ("Um, you know, there are tools that eliminate the need for doing this sort of thing. Just like there are tools that allow us to travel great distances without wearing out our SHOES!")
Or, clinging to old ideas because they were patent worthy -- ten years ago! <rolls eyes> Despite the fact that your competitors have all found BETTER ways to do the same thing!
All examples of the "that's how we USED to do it" mindset. ("I *built* this company using that technique!" "Yeah, and it hasn't *grown* in years!")
All examples of people keeping their companies tied to the past and closing off opportunities to advance.
I find email to be the single most effective tool in the design process:
- It is self-documenting.
- It supports participants at widely different locations/timezones
- It allows the recipients time to digest the material presented.
- It allows them time to formulate and revise their response. I know many folks who are lousy "thinking on their feet". But, given time, have tremendously valuable insights.
- It is non-confrontational. Face to face *meetings* (not a one-on-one by the water cooler) have undercurrents, especially in small companies where folks may have agendas or jockey to get in the boss's good favor or risk "bucking the system".
- It inherently dampens any "unbridled enthusiasm" that may be based in emotion and not reason.
- No "voice" can overpower a conversation.
- There's no "audience"; come as you are!
- There's no implied (polite society) need to respond to every utterance. You can just let an idea die, "gracefully".
- There's no issue of "face"
- The Cc: list can change from one message to the next. To bring someone into the conversation, you just have to add their name to the Cc/Bcc line.
- Participants can drop out of the conversation at will (imagine getting up and excusing yourself from a meeting and NOT being noticed for doing so!)
- You can adjust your recipients to subsets of the group without offending those not involved *or* distracting from their ongoing conversations.
- You can cut-and-paste bits of the conversation into your design specification/requirements document/manual using words that others have already chosen
The biggest downside to email is a consequence of all of these features: the elapsed time involved. But, if you think you can "create on demand" or "within a specific timeframe", you are likely going to get only incremental changes to ideas. It takes time to stew on issues before you can formulate GOOD solutions.
[I find the shower to be the best "facilitator"; no visual or audible distractions, comfortable warmth, etc. I'm free to "just imagine" solutions without having to deal with other people, pen&paper, etc.]But, if you're just working on small/simple problems, you can likely hammer out *a* solution in short order.