Another possible explanation would be that engineers possess technical skills and architectural know-how that makes them attractive recruits for terrorist organizations. But the recent study found that engineers are just as likely to hold leadership roles within these organizations as they are to be working hands-on with explosives. In any case, their technical expertise may not be that useful, since most of the methods employed in terrorist attacks are rudimentary. It’s true that eight of the 25 hijackers on 9/11 were engineers, but it was their experience with box cutters and flight school, not fancy degrees, that counted in the end.
And if someone is good at making bombs (which is the role I would have expected for engineers) that’s precisely the sort of person a terrorist organization wouldn’t want to die.
I think.
One thing I’ve noticed is that everyone (ok, some huge proportion of people) thinks they’re an expert on how to do effective terrorism.
http://www.slate.com/id/2240157
And if someone is good at making bombs (which is the role I would have expected for engineers) that’s precisely the sort of person a terrorist organization wouldn’t want to die.
I think.
One thing I’ve noticed is that everyone (ok, some huge proportion of people) thinks they’re an expert on how to do effective terrorism.
Guilty as charged:
http://www.gwern.net/Terrorism%20is%20not%20about%20Terror
http://www.gwern.net/Terrorism%20is%20not%20Effective
Gomen!
Making perfect, evil plots can be a great conversation starter.
More coverage: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/09/12/magazine/12FOB-IdeaLab-t.html