[Alex2614]

Originally Posted by AllenGregoryIV

I find this part of the post interesting. How exactly do you recommend people speak to the GDC?

I'm not entirely sure who is even on it anymore. Serching the FIRST website only gives this result from 2010. A google search turns up the video from 2010. I know Dave and Woodie resigned in 2011. They also introduce themselves in the 2012 kickoff video. Did I miss another announcement somewhere, did they post all their email addresses and phone numbers somewhere that I missed?

I understand, and partially rescind my comment. However, I will reference this http://www.usfirst.org/roboticsprogr...idays-11112013 where persons will be given the opportunity to express opinions of the game through feedback via open-ended comment boxes. Letters (digital or snail-mail) can also be sent directly to FIRST headquarters, where they will be forwarded to the correct parties.

There are also usually times at the championship where questions can be answered directly by the director and other parties of FIRST. And if you cannot attend the championship, these things are usually available via live webcasts. These among other resources FIRST provides are sometimes great avenues to get our messages across.

My point is, there are ways to get your opinions known to the right parties at the right time. The GDC will be looking over CD posts, I'm sure. And if all they see is hateful comments or emotionally-fueled complaints and/or "tantrums" for lack of a better word, they will only get angry (at least I would) and may even be less likely to listen to what you have to say. Again, just personal experience both in and outside of CD and FIRST, in other organizations, with other people.

Originally Posted by Akash Rastogi

For what it's worth, I think there is nothing wrong with speaking directly about what is wrong with FIRST on CD. I would rather see mentors post their honest opinions than sugar-coating the situation because someone might be reading these posts. I'm sure anyone from FIRST reading this understands the frustration coming from teams, and probably has thick enough skin to deal with it.

I do not disagree. However, I often find that comments filled with emotion directly after things happen are not honest opinions. Yes, at their core they may be, but they are delivered in such a way that is not honest or true to the intended message. I'm not trying to call Brandon or anyone out personally. But I see this all the time across CD and other places of the internet, not just on this thread or this topic either. I have done the same thing personally many times and have learned that people are more likely to listen to what you have to say if your comments are not fueled with heat-of-the-moment emotion. Usually, the person who says something like that (again, guilty myself) realizes later on that what they said was not exactly what they intended.

Clearly thought through, well-organized, and even-tempered arguments, criticisms, or general feedback is not sugar-coating anything. It's dealing with it graciously and professionally.

Again, I truly am not trying to call any one person out, so please don't read into this as if I am. We are all guilty of it. I'm just giving some friendly reminders .