[Hoover]

I like the candor of this thread and I applaud the community of discussing it in a rational way.

Some final observances. The thread was spawned as an allocation of something not done. What if on the other hand you had done it, would you have said so? Still I admire your honesty.

I had said earlier I see it as part of the political spectrum. But I did not say whether, if the opportunity came, would I do it? I don't have the brass to do this and I don't blame anyone who can't; it requires some fortitude.

In the professional world, and the world in general, this sort of behavior has one added component. Secrecy. If this is done, it is not admitted to. We didn't expect to see 10 posts of 'oh, I've done that' did we? That is one obvious absence in the discussion.

Also, of late, I noticed point spread forecasting is becoming a science. If I see you are favored by 40 and you losing by 20 on the board, I am going to start noticing who is not shooting, who is not making their climb etc. What this says is this sort of thing is going to become more obvious just by looking at a smart phone app. Be careful.

Competition on the field should not affect friendship in the pits. This sort of strategy can have undesired side effects. Suppose you get to your ultimate goal and your robot breaks. You need a part but none are offered. You get a substitute but they don't have the power to win the final.

BTW, whats wrong with the silver? Anyone? We got the semi-finals once. We then lost our bracket in two straight. After that we were all slapping hands, grinning ear to ear. Pats on back. Huge amount of fun. After losing? In what other sport do you see that kind of behavior?