Quote:
Originally posted by SlamminSammy
This thread is teeming with replies dealing with material possessions and this troubles me greatly.
|
While not everything deals with possessions, exactly, I understand what you mean. Many of the responses seem deeply rooted in concrete manifestations of some of the questions I posed. . . I'm very interested in learning more, though.
Perhaps it's something you've never had experience with personally, but that doesn't mean your input isn't valued. . . I'd like for this to take a more philosophical turn. . . maybe a bit introspective?
I'm really interested in learning more about this because I am finally realizing how important parts of FIRST have been in my life, and furthermore, I'm noticing that very little of it has to do with the robots themselves. Sure, I'm very grateful to have been given the opportunity to see some of my designs become a reality - and I'm eternally grateful to have learned that engineering really doesn't seem to be for me - but, those are just two minor realizations in the grand plan. I very unabashedly admit how important Walt Disney World has been for me as far as some of my involvement in FIRST is concerned.
But, now, I'm becoming quite interested in how FIRST can influence people in unexpected ways. We've all heard about getting girls excited in science and technology, or giving opportunities to students from low-income areas, or placing students in jobs - but what are the untold stories? Who are we leaving out?
When we make broad generalizations about what FIRST does and who it's for, are we alienating these people and their experiences? I've realized by now that some people aren't as vocal as I am (even though I'm quite timid in person). Are we driving these people away from the program?
I've begun to worry about some of the homogeny that permeates FIRST. Just as economies of scale destroy craftsmanship, and Wal*Mart Supercenters decimate entrepeneurship, I worry that the regimentation of FIRST programs into curriculum-based classes, or varsity sports, or victory driven activities narrows its focus far too much. I worry that the space for the idle dreamer is being down-sized in favor of the yes-men. I worry that there's someone else out there just like me, but that we may gloss over them and their input, ideas, and contributions because we they don't jive with the master plan.
So, because of this, I've grown curious about how we define success. I'm less interested in where we draw the line than I am in
why we draw it there; or anywhere, for that matter.
So much about FIRST focuses on the team, and teamwork, and cooperation and mentorship, but have we lost sight of the idea that this is all to benefit the individual? ...so that that they may go out into the world and have the ability to work well with others, but the individuality and self-confidence and purpose to think for themselves, to challenge convention, and to do a better job of inspiring the next generation?
...just some more thoughts...