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Maybe instead of assuming that all the midwest teams fit into pre-defined notions...
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where did I say anything about ALL the midwest teams?
I've been to regionals at Rutgers, Philly, Cleveland, Toronto and Ive been to the championship a couple times.
There are teams Ive encountered from the midwest that come across as snooty, and somewhat arrogant - usually its teams that are well funded, sending the bot to a regional EVERY week, pouring tons of money into their machines, and its obvious that a great deal of the work on the machine was professionally done, not done by the students
I am talking about the students on the teams, not the mentors. Maybe the kids on those teams were frustrated. Maybe they equate the amount of money spent on their team and bot with 'superiour'
I have also observed that teams on which the students have done most or sometimes all of the work on the bot, they have a better understanding of what it takes to build a machine, and they tend to be more humble and understanding with other teams - that type of hands on experience teaches you humility quickly, not arrogance.
Why get upset with me for observing that some teams act snooty and arrogant. Go back and read this thread - the teams doing the most boasting, and attempting to back up those boast with illogical rational ARE in the same area.
Detroit doesnt hold a monopoly on anything. Maybe 50 years ago, but not now - there are outstanding engineering businesses and sponsors all around the world, and outstanding FIRST teams at all regionals.
To be an sucessful engineer the first thing you have to lose is your ego.
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... it's totally absurd to imply that teams in the midwest are out to win at all costs and do not care about their fellow competitors...
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I didnt say they were, I asked if I misunderstood the question (what they mean by 'competitive') and if they meant agressive instead of friendly - I didnt say all the midwest teams are not helpfull
I said some of them have an attitude. You can help another team and still be stuck on yourself. In fact, this is something you have to be VERY carefull of when helping another team, that you are doing so with a cooperative and compassionate spirit, not 'showing' them how much better you are by fixing their bot for them.