Therefore, rather than describe the phenomena in their full complexity, the equations of classical science deal with small fluctuations, surface waves, small changes in temperature and so on. [...] This habit rooted to the point that many equations were linearized the moment they were written, so that the complete non-linear descriptions not even appeared in the scientific manuals. Consequently, most scientists and engineers came to believe that practically all natural phenomena could be described by linear equations.
Fritjof Kapra - The Web of Life.
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I was just discussing with a friend, a few days back, how the concepts of linearity and superposition are mistakenly taught to electrical engineers as the most important concepts of engineering! Most engineers are completely unaware of the richness of nonlinear phenomena... It is a sad situation!
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