Engineering and the Words of 2012

This is a good list that interfaces the most with engineering - -

1. 47 Percent.  The percentage of people who do no pay taxes, are dependent on government assistance and would vote to re-elect President Obama.  What we want out of our government, who should pay, and how much impacts every engineer - - from the bridge engineer to the aerospace engineer. 
2. Binders Full of Women.  In explaining during a debate that he often sought to hire women while he was governor of Massachusetts, Mr. Romney said he was given "whole binders full of women" to consider as candidates for government jobs.  Historically engineering has been a "binders full of women" profession - - a total and complete lack of gender diversity.  This has rapidly changed in recent years, but the STEM professions still need to make this a much greater focus.
3. Fiscal Cliff.  The tax increases and spending cuts that will take effect January 1 if Congress does not pass legislation to block them.  We will probably yet get a deal, but if you are an engineer working on a federal contract, I would be prepared for some cliff diving.
4. Fracking.  Hydraulic fracking, a method of extracting natural gas or oil from shale formations.  Maybe the word of 2012 and brought to you by engineering.
5. Frankenstorm.  The storm that hit the East Coast in October a few days before Halloween.  The era of extreme weather events has arrived.  Engineering will have a key role in this new era of climate change.
6. Man Camp.  A temporary housing facility for oil workers.  It is estimated that $45 billion may be spent on new or expanded transportation infrastructure, including pipelines, rail cars, rail terminals and other projects in 2013.
7. MODC.  An acronym for a massive open online course, an online class that allows students from anywhere to view lectures and receive instruction, usually for free.  If you are not online learning, you had better start today.
8. Superstorm.  Yet another name for the massive storm that pummeled the East Coast in October.  As things deteriorate, the increasing cost of defensive measure such as seawalls and then the costs of remediation and repair as things get destroyed will place a premium on the interface between creative engineering and fiscal management.