[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Rick TYler

This thread is about "how should we respond to elements in the game rules that some people don't like" and not one about comparing different robot programs, so I don't want to go there. I am suggesting that the six-week build and ship adds what might be an unnecessary level of rules and hassle. Just saying...

As more and more talented students graduate and move into promising careers and mentors become interested in started new ventures, it seems to me that FIRST is moving along its intended path of getting the folks out there in the fields of science, technology, and math. There may come a time when the robotics field is saturated with competitions that are run by folks who have their own vision or a vision modeled after the different FIRST programs but modified to fit their goals. Year after year teams return, mentors return, and new students join teams or form teams for the FRC program. It is natural for folks who have been around for a few years to have a deeper understanding of how the program runs and how to run a team well. Those folks will have opinions, ideas, thoughts to contribute to the program that they think will help run it more smoothly and more efficiently. There are opportunities and ways to contribute their suggestions without publicly criticizing the GDC in such rude and ugly ways. ChiefDelphi is a generous contribution of FRC 47, Chief Delphi, that requires a lot of work, money, and effort on the part of the team and its devoted members. I think sometimes we forget that generosity and misuse it in ways that detract from the reasons we've joined the FIRST program in the first place.

There are lots of options for robotics competitions. I hope some day that there are lots of options for helping humanity and our beautiful planet, making use of the skills and knowledge obtained while going to school acquiring degrees in the areas that so desperately need attention and committed dedication. The competitions are a vehicle that can carry the passion deeper into the global needs. Sometimes I wonder if we forget that along the way as well.