"The engineering is secondary to the vision"

Cynthia Ozick, an acute observer and prominent writer, offers an incisive perspective on the interplay between vision and engineering, asserting that "The engineering is secondary to the vision". To unpack this axiom, it is vital to understand the layers of nuance between the two terms under consideration , 'engineering' and 'vision'.

Vision, by its very nature, involves seeing beyond the immediately perceptible. It suggests grand, pioneering ideas that are imagined before they are tangibly realized. The realm of vision is that of conception, ideation and dreaming the seemingly impossible. In contrast, engineering is a discipline that gives physicality to these dreams. The rigors of engineering add structural integrity, practicality and functionality to the bold plans conceived in the visionary realm.

Connecting these perspectives to Ozick's statement, the primacy of vision is emphasised over engineering. This is not to downplay the value of engineering, but to acknowledge that without the initial vision or the big idea, there would be no direction or purpose to the application of engineering. The scheme brought forth through vision is the seed, and engineering is the process that nurtures this seed to full growth.

Further to this, the statement could be perceived as an urging to give more weight to innovation, creativity and ideation that often form the crux of vision. Too often, there's a tendency to be anchored in the practicalities, focusing on the how rather than the what or the why. Ozick seems to highlight that this vision, these grand ideas and novel concepts, must be the driving force.

In application, this is highly evident in the tech world where big ideas often redefine the course of societal evolution. A perfect example is the creation of the internet, once a mere vision, now a cornerstone of modern civilization. The engineers who implement these visions are indeed instrumental, however, their work is moulded by the initial animating insight, the vision.

Lastly, it is important to note that Ozick isn't advocating for an abandonment of engineering in favor of vision. Instead, she suggests a recalibration of priorities, making sure that vision is the guiding North Star, while engineering provides the necessary pathways to reach the intended destination.