I'll point out most engineers also have a fondness for the theoretical optimality of auctions. As I've pointed out to most of them, that optimality is conditio

I'll point out most engineers also have a fondness for the theoretical optimality of auctions. As I've pointed out to most of them, that optimality is conditional on several things but most importantly is that it achieves the highest clearing price for a specific supply. The economist alludes to this by saying that auctions aren't great for commodities, but what that really implies is that if you can make more/lots of something, predictable pricing is better than per-unit optimality!