[JaneYoung]

Just a thought for this topic as this thread begins its descent into emotional fractured disagreement:

With the way that FRC is set up, students cycle up and through the program until they are eventually out as active participants unless they decide to mentor or volunteer or become a sponsor. The cycle renews and replenishes each season, bringing in new participants who are at the beginning stages of understanding FRC and the opportunities that are made available. These opportunities occur constantly - during build, competition, and during the off season. It is hoped that as participants mature and gain experience, that they become more open with each passing season, to the rich variety of opportunities made available to improve with and to learn from, as individuals and, as teams.

Readers of the threads that contain topics like these are interested in learning and gaining insight and/or understanding. If posts are filled with strong opinions, sarcasm, mud-slinging, and rude disagreements, that narrows the opportunities to learn and to understand the bigger picture. Give learning opportunities a chance. If you are frustrated and decide to post in a manner that is creating an atmosphere of derision, then walk away and take a break. You are missing a great opportunity by being a know-it-all, yourself.

Jane