Mole Man
Engineers hate risk. They try to eliminate it whenever they can. This is understandable, given that when an engineer makes one little mistake, the media will treat it like it's a big deal or something. For example, Hindenberg, Apollo 13, and the Tay Bridge. And now 'Mole Man's' subterranean hobby. The Telegraph reports William Lyttle, a retired engineer, who created a labyrinth of tunnels under his house over 40 years has been forced to pay £300,000 for repairs carried out by a council and has an injunction imposed against him preventing him from undoing any of the repair work. Evidently his load bearing calculations were not quite up to scratch!
Why do people not understand to the engineer, all matter in the universe can be placed into one of two categories: (1) things that need to be fixed, and (2) things that will need to be fixed after you've had a few minutes to play with them. Engineers like to solve problems. If there are no problems handily available, they will create their own problems. Normal people don't understand this concept; they believe that if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Engineers believe that if it ain't broke, it doesn't have enough features yet. Engineers have the ability to concentrate on one subject to the exclusion of everything else. This certainly appears the case with Mole Man's home improvements.
However, concentrating on one subject to the exclusion of everything else is a disaster in any relationship. Neglect, whether intentionally or unintentionally, causes the person whose needs aren’t being met to feel angry, offended, ashamed, demeaned, and unsafe. This is a terrible position to be in and it is the reason behind many extramarital affairs. Healthy relationships seem to rely on both parties being independent and enjoying time in each others company.
4 comments:
Interesting guy, but not someone you would want to live next door to!
If he has dug all these tunnels under his house, why does the council get to fill them in? Unless its a council house, but if he is renting, then can't he do as he likes?
Unless, of course, like most engineers he is a raving nutcase, and he had no idea how to retain some stability in the house.
On balance, someone digging tunnels under their house can't be the sanest person about.
Oi, what's this about engineers being raving nutcases?
You only have to look at the guy to see that he is an engineer, and who in their right mind would dig tunnels under their house, unless its to escape someone.
Fair play to him though. Was he an ex prisoner of war that hadn't shaken off the desire to tunnel his way out. Maybe thats it. Did he lose his front door key and was just trying to pop out to the shops?
Where did he dump the spoil? Did he shake it out of his trousers whilst taking the dog for a walk so as to avoid suspicion?
You have left too many unanswered questions. If you are going to post info for our delight, it needs to be complete!
Detention for Fiona I think. And 100 lines.
Swizz
I read somewhere he kept things in the holes eg boats and cars. Property prices being what the are perhaps Mr Lyttle was just being frugal. Engineers aren't cheap or mean spirited, it's just every spending situation is seen as a problem in optimisation. OK some might be a wee bit eccentric but aren't engineers irresitable?
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