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Posted by colleen - T190 at 2/2/2001 3:42 AM EST


Engineer on team #190, Gompei, from Massachusetts Academy of Math and Science and WPI.



Don't be fooled.. the "time of post" is correct.. it's way to early in the morning.. and i've been IMing with anton for wwaaaay too long :-)

But it has prompted me to post something I have been thinking about for a while... it extends through a couple different planes of FIRST and can generally be applied to ALL of us..

As much as I think I dislike this year's game, I really think there is a lesson embedded in it that many of us need to step back and learn. We were taught it back in kindgarten...

"Work together.. play nice.. if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.."

In all honesty... my FIRST experiences dating from 96 to 99 were wonderful.. there were issues.. but they always got worked out... I took part of the beginnings of this wonderful site and got in touch with many great people who gave advice and helped each other out..

2000 was the worst... suddenly people were soooo craved for attention.. for credit.. for one ups on other teams and people.. that it really just became a big melting pot of politics than a FIRST community.. since when were FIRST people liars or cheaters.. since when was it less important to make something happen than it was to get credit for it...?

And I thought things would change.. I find myself on a wonderful team that is not shy of any issues but is still, to me, very focused on the proper goals.. and we have fun.. (We don't make bad parts, we make masterpieces for the hampster playground)...

But still I think the reminents live on.. just looking at a lot of the postings recently.. stat pages..etc.. what's going on??

And these discussions regarding strategy things.. this one is better.. no you should use this one.. no this.. no mine.. etc..

I think it's wonderful that we all want to do great.. but we all have to make sure we are trying to great for the common good and not just to say "everyone chose my way"... obviously..it takes a little discussion and compromise to get there.. but we can do that..

My point-- if I have one... some much lately does it seem that people want things done so their name/team/group name can go on it and less cause it's a good thing... it impedes so much on processes of improvment it's unbelievable..

So all I can say.. is I hope everyone.. on every team.. in every group can at least hear the message first is trying to send.. and teams like 47 have done wonders to acheive in things like these forums..

We're not competing against each other... we're competing together as a means to acheive a higher goal.. and we will reach our detination much quicker if we use each other as steps rather than each making our own ladder to try and get their before everyone else..