[Alex2614]

Originally Posted by hrench

Actually, I'm a mentor that doesn't think this is that big of deal.

Yes, airplanes shouldn't be thrown when important things are happening and they shouldn't have anything but paper in them. But certainly they're not more dangerous than great big beach balls that routinely hit people in the head.

Paper airplanes are
1. an engineering competition
2. a social activity
3. a science demonstration.

I could go on. They're fun.

Yes, we could be staring into our cell phones instead. I prefer this.

Also, yes, OK, it's a big mess. Especially if people bring paper just for this, but in my experience it's been mostly paper from scouting reports, safety 'posters' and re-used paper and I'm mostly unfolding someone else's airplanes and making better ones. First isn't noted for being terribly green. And if you're re-folding planes, then you're 'reusing' right? The stadium-world is used to cleaning up huge messes after every event.

I'm not sure about this, but I suspect the people that have to clean these up are employees of the stadium, paid by the hour. They'll have to sweep the floor anyway, so sweeping airplanes isn't that much of a big deal. This actually gives them more work, hence more money. I doubt you'll hear them complaining if this is correct. Better than sweeping up beer bottles after a football game.

When I read the title 'being proactive' I thought this string would be about looking up and practicing actual airplane designs that are good, that win contests. Not just the boring barely-works dart planes most of you are throwing.

Yes, I mentor in paper airplane design too.

And if the people in charge want it to stop, and say so, I'll go along, but that wouldn't be my preference.

I used to think like this. But the paper airplanes were cool when it was a few here and there that would be cheered for. When you are hit in the back of the head with paper airplanes constantly for six hours, you'll have a different perspective. When they have to replay Einstein matches because of airplanes, you will think differently. I'm sitting here now and hundreds of airplanes are being thrown and falling either in front of my face or to the back of my head constantly. It's not cool anymore.

Watching Einstein isn't all that much fun when you're being pelted in the back of the head every minute with poorly made paper airplanes.