Hi, bl0rf:
I think you have a really good point. Like you, I've found that CS has enhanced my understanding of the "tools and rules" process or "paradigm" as it applies in many other areas of life.
Many things - politics, as a single example - were mysteries to me until I had this sort of framework to use, the idea that we've got some assets (the tools), and some constraints, and the trick is to work with what we have in order to accomplish what we can.
I found your comments about "tools and rules" quite useful in summarizing these ideas. Thank you.
-Baruch