Quote:
Originally Posted by GGCO
What I've always wondered is why does FIRST always feel a need to pander to people who already aren't interested in becoming engineers? Are all of will.i.am's fans suddenly going to join your FIRST Robotics team? Do we want that? People who don't care about solving problems joining FIRST because their favorite artist endorses them?
I'm fine with will.i.am promoting FIRST, but having him be the face of the sport seems like it might backfire.
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While they may not join the team, they might go to see an event. How cool would that be if the stands were full of spectators watching what is going on, just like the football and basketball games. You might even be able to someday charge $1 for admission which could then offset regional event costs which would help sustain teams.
Technical people are often really good at solving technical problems. How do I make this do that. Frequentlly though in the world, there are non-technical problems that require solving before the technical solution can be implemented. How many researchers are really good at getting people to give them money to support them to do research? Once they have found a cure for XYZ, sometimes it is difficult to get people to take it. Just the other night I saw a really good interview about how one of Bill Gate's charities is trying to eradicate polio. The vaccine has been around for 50+ years, but not everyone will take it.
If your really listen to the speeches Dean gives, it is more than the robots, it is more than the kids, it is more than the events.
The goal is to change the culture. Having an artist, musician, or athlete actively seek out and ask how they can help proves culture change is happening. Don't loose sight of that goal.