Comment by lioeters

I think that's what the word "appreciate" is hinting at in the phrase: "most engineers..don't appreciate the importance of optics."

Optics is subjective and often superficial, a performative illusion for the sake of whoever is looking at you. But that doesn't mean it's not valuable or useful in a social context.

Here, I read the word "appreciate" to mean, to recognize the value of a thing even if you disagree with it.

For example, someone could be a pacifist and still appreciate the need for weapons for national defense. They may not agree with the means but still admit it has value and effect.