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Unread 27-02-2004, 13:10
Joel Glidden's Avatar
Joel Glidden Joel Glidden is offline
My heart pumps diesel.
FRC #4293 (Komodo)
Team Role: Engineer
 
Join Date: Apr 2002
Rookie Year: 2001
Location: Highlands Ranch, CO
Posts: 208
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Re: [moderated] Collaboration

I am reminded of something that Dean said at the 2003 kickoff.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Dean Kamen
The game isn't fair. It was never supposed to be fair.
I believe that this ruling is not fair in the context of the game. But, I agree that it is consistent with the higher level ideals of FIRST. I believe that collaboration at some level is a good thing for FIRST. However, I am worried about what collaboration on the level seen this year will mean for the future of FIRST.

My personal motivation for volunteering in FIRST is twofold. I strongly agree with the ideals and high level objectives of FIRST. I go to bed at night feeling good about having done something positive and contributing to my community. But, when I go in early, stay late, design, strategize, motivate, and pour my sweat and blood into a robot, I do it because I want to do whatever I can to help my team win.

I don't want to come off as melodramatic, but, in all honesty, if FIRST abandons fairness, I will abandon FIRST. I'll have to see how this all plays out in the next few years.

The bottom line is that if the rules of the competition create an environment in which there is no reasonable chance for my team to win, I will find something else to do with my time, money, and energy. I do not need FIRST if I want to have a positive impact on my community. FIRST needs me and others like me if FIRST wants to continue to grow.
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-Joel