Many years ago, in an engineering class, each of us was given an in class exercise of describing something to the rest of the class that only one of us could se

Many years ago, in an engineering class, each of us was given an in class exercise of describing something to the rest of the class that only one of us could see in a box. We had to use physical properties only, color, arrangements of geometric shapes, etc. It made me realize the value of careful observation (looking at an old fashioned black telephone with a dial in my case) and then careful description of what I was seeing in terms that would communicate it to the others. It's funny how often someone tells me their computer or some software is simply not working. I guess I'm no better; I usually reply "Have you tried turning it off and then on again." (A favorite line from the British comedy, The IT Crowd.)