Re: WILL.I.AM's comment on Einstein
 

Just because everyone says it's okay to swear, doesn't mean it is. :p

Re: WILL.I.AM's comment on Einstein
 

Darn it! Foiled again!

Re: WILL.I.AM's comment on Einstein
 

This is inappropriate... I know... but i have to say it, my teenage mind won't let me not do it...... REKT

Re: WILL.I.AM's comment on Einstein
 

Google and Youtube are wonderful inventions.

Re: WILL.I.AM's comment on Einstein
 

Yes! They are both very creative and talented people and if they are genuinely passionate about the program, what is the reason not to?

Re: WILL.I.AM's comment on Einstein
 

Try googling the i.am.angel foundation. Or read his Wikipedia entry. Or see some of the interviews he's given about FIRST. How hard did you search?

Or, you could go this route.

Re: WILL.I.AM's comment on Einstein
 

HAHA, that just made my day :P ;D

Re: WILL.I.AM's comment on Einstein
 

For the most part, I do agree with you there. I try not to say anything inappropriate around students since I try to respect how their parents are raising their kids.

But with that said, I turned out okay so I guess when something like this happens it just doesn't bother me that much (although I would say I was extremely surprised when it happened).

Then again, I also grew up listening to heavy metal, which I've also been told will turn me into a degenerate. I guess I don't have a lot of faith in what a lot of people say is going to make you turn out bad. I still love me some metal, BTW.

Re: WILL.I.AM's comment on Einstein
 

For what its worth, I'd heard just as bad in 4th grade, but I went to public school in a big city, so...:rolleyes:

I want to try and flip this conversation a bit:

There have been at least a few posts saying or suggesting that other speakers at champs/other competitions are "boring" or "say the same thing every year" or "no one pays attention anymore." This isn't the impression I'd like to leave if I was a sponsor giving a speech. People respect genuine passion. And I know people get passionate about FIRST; I see it every freaking year! And the sponsors really care too! But when it comes time to actually talk about it and get excited on stage, it seems people dial it back. WHY????? You don't have to cuss, but if your company is investing millions of dollars in a program, act out that passion for us!

Re: WILL.I.AM's comment on Einstein
 

I'm going to agree and disagree here.

I do think Will's comments were sincere if colorful. There are only so many ways to express what he did with the energy he did, so he went with the most common (if not necessarily appropriate) one. In what is an increasingly-scripted Einstein, this was a genuine shock--which was probably part of the rousing applause from even Dean and Dave. It's certainly not something FIRST should stick on the highlight reel, and I hope Dean was clever enough to find a swear jar afterward, but it's not the end of the world.

That said, I remember 2007 when Dean came to South Carolina for a benefit dinner and met beforehand with local FRC teams. He gave a talk (perhaps the best talk I've ever seen from him) about what's become the Slingshot and the stirling engine projects, the latter of which can be powered by burning cow patties. So guess what was on that slide? An oh-so-slightly-greeked version of one word Will said on Saturday night. That, too, was not the end of the world.

Use it as a teachable moment, smile at one of those moments that will become part of FIRST's oral history (Mandy Moore, how 'ya doing?), and get back to building robots if it bothers you so. :)

Re: WILL.I.AM's comment on Einstein
 

His foundation claims 15 teams of funding. I recall a team picture that had the logo on the banner, but it's not in TIMS--so call it at least anecdotal confirmation.

Coca-Cola had already been around FIRST from the Atlanta days, but I doubt the Ekocycle printer collaboration happens without Will's involvement (remember, he was in the TV spots). Whatever you thought of the printers themselves--hey, we're giving out 3D printers where there weren't any before.

Oh, and dare we bring up the arm-twist of Intel (which he's also affiliated with) to bankroll the I Am FIRST telecast on one hour of prime time on ABC?

I'm not saying Will is perfect, or even the best thing to happen to FIRST (you'll have a hard time knocking Woodie off)--but he isn't just preaching to the choir.

(And if Kanye takes the invite, I'd welcome him with open arms...but let's invite him to speak at the mentor breakfast to be safe.)

Re: WILL.I.AM's comment on Einstein
 

I really appreciated Will.i.am's comment. I think his use of profanity did a beautiful job of cutting straight through all of the buzzwords and marketing speak that we (and I'm guilty of this too) often end up using to describe the benefits of FIRST. Ultimately, his words concisely expressed the thing that I and many others really love about FIRST: how motherf***ing dope it is.

Re: WILL.I.AM's comment on Einstein
 

We already got Miley on board :rolleyes: : https://youtu.be/vYuOKb3gO7E?t=28s

Re: WILL.I.AM's comment on Einstein
 

I am sort of baffled by this. Both the total lack of research and ignorance towards changing culture.

Re: WILL.I.AM's comment on Einstein
 

:confused: :confused: :confused:
Did you listen at all to what Dean said that Will.I.Am has done for FIRST? It certainly sounds like you haven't. :(

This isn't just a random entertainer coming to our event.