|
Re: FIRST - Reason for existance
I think if you want to understand the reason for FIRST’s existence you need to look more at the big picture. All of the little things like keeping America on the cutting edge or inspiring our young people or filling jobs from within are all great goals but what is the ultimate goal? My view is that, whether we believe it or not, FIRST has the ability to impact entire societies, and even the whole world. Pie in the sky? Maybe – but we all need to dream and DREAM BIG!
Take a look at what motivates Dean. Money? No. Power? No. Influence? No. It seems to me that what motivates Dean the most is the ability to give the world what it NEEDS, and not what it WANTS. Case in point – the Segway. Some can look at it as a rich man’s toy. Others can see it as the latest tech gadget. I see it as a first step toward real change in transportation. The first step toward a solution to the problems of metropolitan congestion, noxious emissions, and a necessary radical revamping of the way we look at transportation. Or how about the Slingshot, Dean’s generator and water purifier? Do we need generators in this country? Do we have a pressing need for potable water in the U.S.? No. This invention is for third world countries that don’t have access to those things like we do. Dean is making the world a better place on some of the most fundamental levels. And he is doing it through FIRST as well.
FIRST is a means to an end. It has the ability to inspire young people to take charge of their world and be the ones to solve the problems that really matter. It is the “classroom” where we all can learn so many valuable life lessons. But the lessons are no good to anyone if we just leave them in the classroom. We need to take them out to the rest of the world and make real changes to our society. While FIRST is huge in our minds, it is really just a small but extremely vital part of the bigger picture. And we need to keep our eyes open to that picture.
Just my 2 soapbox cents.
Sean
|