Quote:
Originally posted by dlavery
Note that I am NOT saying which answer is "right" or "wrong" - that is not my role, nor is it within my authority. But I do know that if you haven't really thought about this question, then you are unprepared to really understand and defend - or understand and change - this program that you all profess to support so much.
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p.s. KenLeung - whether you recognize it or not, I do consider you part of the "special group of students that embody the intellectual capital that will define the future of this country."
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Thanks for the compliment, Dave :-). I’ve always had problems with confidence, because I feel so little standing among myriad of greatness (Andy, Jason, you, Ken Krieger, etc). Little did I realize that reaction is not as uncommon as I thought.
Anyway… Notice I didn't say what's right or wrong, only my point of view on the concept of "elite". And what I was saying was, looking back at 5 years ago, I wouldn't have tried so hard when I first started with the team. It is hard to get students to understand what FIRST is about if they've never experienced the competition before. Which is why I think it is hard to pick out the elite students, and because it is so hard to define what an elite is. I believe it is much easier when every student is exposed to a similar experience before they join FIRST.
Before I go any further, I ask that the moderators (Brandon ;-) ) split these posts into its own thread. The original topic is about FIRST on TV, and I think it's a worthwhile discussion of its own.
And also, I want to point out how much I enjoy the direction this discussion is going. People are reading what was being said by others, take their time to think it out, absorb the material, figure out what they think, and clearly express those thoughts to others elegantly (well, except my essays :-P). That's about the best way to have a constructive discussion. You see, there is no need to say who is right or wrong in a discussion ;-). Just take the time to understand what others are saying, and discussions are so much better!