[PyroPhin]

how can you learn if you dont get your hands dirty?

Yes, i agree that FIRST is not about actually building a robot, but how can you learn and get inspired about technology if you are sitting on the sidelines?

what Dean Kamen set out for FIRST to symbolize is teams puting aside there differences and working towards a common goal..

I belive that many teams have lost sight of the goals Dean origionally set out for us, and shifted towards a "winning is everything" mentality.
although the winning teams walk away with medals, trophies and banners, the real winners are the teams that didnt make it and still walk away with a grin on there face that something that was, at one time an idea on paper just rolled arround an arena for a day or two. They are the ones who walk away with the connections, the experience, and the feeling of " Even it it wasnt the best robot, it's our robot."

in the immortal words of KMFDM " DIY! Destroy what destroys you! DIY, Do or Die.."

Just my opinion
~Pyro