--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: As an engineer, I learned that a long…" description: "\"As an engineer, I learned that a long time ago: you don't want to get into a rational discussion about irrational subjects.\" — Shahid Khan" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/557/shahid-khan-9106_discussion_as-an-engineer-i-learned-that-a-long-tim_2169077.jpg" --- # As an engineer, I learned that a long time ago: you don't… ![“As an engineer, I learned that a long time ago: you don't want to get into a rational discussion about irrational subjects.” quote by Shahid Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/557/shahid-khan-9106_discussion_as-an-engineer-i-learned-that-a-long-tim_2169077.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/557/shahid-khan-9106_discussion_as-an-engineer-i-learned-that-a-long-tim_2169077.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/557/shahid-khan-9106_discussion_as-an-engineer-i-learned-that-a-long-tim_2169077.jpg) > “As an engineer, I learned that a long time ago: you don't want to get into a rational discussion about irrational subjects.” [Shahid Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shahid-khan/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Avoiding debates on topics lacking logical basis wastes time and hinders productive problem solving. **In simple terms:** Don't argue about nonsense. Key Takeaway Focus on rational, evidence‑based discussions. Themes logic communication productivity Mood analytical pragmatic Type advice professional When to use this quote - team meetings - project planning - conflict resolution - strategic decision making Key Concepts critical thinking rational discourse cognitive bias Questions to Reflect On - What topics in your work are inherently irrational? - How can you steer conversations back to facts? A Different Perspective Even rational topics can become unproductive if emotions dominate. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Discussion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discussion/) [Discussion Irrational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/discussion-irrational-4637130/) [Irrational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irrational/) [Irrational Subjects](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/irrational-subjects-4637131/) [Long](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long/) [Long time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time/) [Long time ago](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/long-time-ago/) [Rational](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rational/) [Rational Discussion](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/rational-discussion-1605943/) [Time](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/time/) [Want](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/want/) ## Related quotes > [If the Humanists wish to be champions of reason, they should consider the following: just as they would not admit mystics into their camp,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ayn-rand/if-the-humanists-wish-to-be-champions-of-reason-they-should-consider/) [Ayn Rand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ayn-rand/) > [You cannot have a rational discussion with a man who prefers shooting you to being convinced by you.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/karl-popper/you-cannot-have-a-rational-discussion-with-a-man-who-prefers-shooting/) [Karl Popper](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/karl-popper/) > [Disruption never helps your cause. ... 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We are more like…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dan-ariely/it-is-true-that-from-a-behavioral-economics-perspective-we-are/) [Dan Ariely](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dan-ariely/) ## More by Shahid Khan > [Whenever I was flying commercial, I would land in Chicago, and they would announce, 'Get your passports out.' It happened so often, I would…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shahid-khan/whenever-i-was-flying-commercial-i-would-land-in-chicago-and-they/) [Shahid Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shahid-khan/) > [I don't think it's any different if I'm in the U.S. or in London. I look at operations globally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shahid-khan/i-don-t-think-it-s-any-different-if-i-m-in-the-u-s-or-in-london-i/) [Shahid Khan](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shahid-khan/) > [I feel I have to play a role to help Jacksonville achieve big things, to achieve its potential. 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