Profession of Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the fictional character Dr. Emmett "Doc" Brown from the "Back to the Future" trilogy, focusing on his professional identity as a physicist and engineer. Participants explore the implications of his inventions and experiments, questioning the branches of physics and engineering he might represent.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • One participant suggests that Doc Brown is likely more of an engineer than a physicist, given his ability to build complex devices, and questions what a physicist, particularly in experimental physics, can construct compared to an engineer.
  • The same participant speculates that Doc would most likely be an electrical engineer, as they would have the necessary skills to create both electronic and simple mechanical devices.
  • Another participant points out that the name "Emmett" is a reference to the cartoonist Roland Emett, implying a playful connection to invention and creativity.
  • One participant humorously claims that Doc Brown is an "omniscientist," suggesting a blend of knowledge across disciplines.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on Doc Brown's professional identity, with some arguing he is primarily an engineer while others propose he embodies a broader, more whimsical characterization as an "omniscientist." The discussion remains unresolved regarding the specific branch of physics or engineering he represents.

Contextual Notes

Participants do not reach a consensus on the nature of Doc Brown's expertise, and the discussion includes speculative interpretations of his character and abilities.

pioneerboy
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Hi there,

If you look through the trilogy of "Back to the Future" you come across many devices of Doc Brown. He's officially a physicist with theoretical knowledge, he's always claiming to conducting experiments, and he's great in building things...obviously. First question: what branch of physicist is he probably?
Now, I know that a physicist is expected/can/might (depending on branch) be able to build technical things, but when we look at all the stuff he's doing, I have my doubts that a phycisist would be able to build all this without profound expertise in engineering - of course, while being not at that level, I personally don't know what a Dr. in experimental physics is able to build beyond/or not beyond the level of an engineer. So, just by looking at all those devices with wires, electronics, remotes etc. I assume he's more of an engineer than a physicist - of course with very good physical knowledge about time and space and general relativity. What's your opinion?
Second question: What kind of engineer would he most likely be? Due to the above opinion and looks from the devices I expect him to be an electrical engineer and assume that an electrical engineer learns the mechanical stuff that is necessary to build simple mechanical devices, like the mechanics of a robotic arm to feed his dog (while mechanical engineers the whole variety of materials inside out).

Thanks.

Lucius
 
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Ryan_m_b said:
He's an omniscientist
Damn. I clicked that link thinking I would find the answer to what I want to do for my master's thesis :|
 
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