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Unread 28-03-2005, 02:22
Unsung FIRST Hero
Karthik Karthik is offline
VEX Robotics GDC Chairman
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Re: Stop The Madness

Quote:
Originally Posted by oneangrydwarf
PS> The second half of this thread is coming from Karthik soon.
Well Josh, you said most of everything that I had wanted to say. Thanks, it saves me some typing.

It's easy to be graciously professional when things are going well. It's how you deal with adversity that really illustrates one's knowledge of gracious professionalism. It's one thing to offer constructive criticism when you don't think a rule is appropriate or if you feel someone could be doing their job better. It's another thing to come out and attack someone for making a mistake, perceived or real. We all get upset when we lose, especially when we think we deserved to win. But taking our frustrations out on others will never make things better.

If you don't like a call that's been made, go talk to the referees about it at the end of the day. Most referees that I've met have no problem discussing calls with someone who's maintaining a level head about things. Just understand that their calls are final, and that you're not there to change their minds, rather to let them know about there perceived mistake in hopes that it won't happen again.

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A lot of people have many concerns about various rules in this year's game. I'm very glad that people have voiced these concerns, because in the long run it's going to help ensure that positive changes get made. Remember though, there's a good way and a bad way to express your concerns.

Constructive criticism = Good
Insults, name calling and whining = Bad
Trying to make FIRST a better program = Good
Complaining about how much things suck, without trying to help = Bad

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I was speaking to a friend of mine who said, "Wow, CD has really turned into a hornets nest..." That description is really sad. We can do better than this. There's no need for all this bickering. FIRST is supposed be creating culture change. When most outsiders go to a FIRST event, they all notice how it feels different. They notice the gracious professionalism, because it's overwhelming. Well, if an outsider were to read certain recent threads on these forums, they certainly wouldn't be overwhelmed by GP.

Quote:
Originally Posted by Travis Hoffman
I welcome Karthik's input, too, even if he happens to disagree or even criticize me for anything I have said. I've told him in the past to tell me to shut up when he thinks my silence is warranted, and I'll consider anything he says seriously.
Travis, I've enjoyed your posts on the subject of refereeing. You have a concern about the rules and you've eloquently expressed them. It seems that you want to make this program better for everyone involved. You've offered possible solutions, and have refrained from making childish insults. I genuinely appreciate the fact that you've started some discussion about an important topic.

We can't let these important discussions degrade the way some of them are. There's just way too much flaming and fighting going on. It needs to stop.
__________________
:: Karthik Kanagasabapathy ::
"Enthusiasm is one of the most powerful engines of success. When you do a thing, do it with all your might. Put your whole soul into it. Stamp it with your own personality. Be active, be energetic, be enthusiastic and faithful and you will accomplish your object. Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm" -- R.W. Emerson
My TEDx Talk - The Subtle Secrets of Success
Full disclosure: I work for IFI and VEX Robotics, and am the Chairman of the VEX Robotics and VEX IQ Game Design Committees
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Last edited by Karthik : 28-03-2005 at 02:40.