Posted by Wayne Cokeley at 04/09/2001 2:27 PM EST
Coach on team #25, Raider Robotix, from North Brunswick Twp. H.S. and Bristol-Myers Squibb.
In Reply to: Random Filler
Posted by Joe Johnson on 04/09/2001 1:19 PM EST:
: Dean also said that the tape was more or less just a
: random tape grabbed and played because Disney needed
: more time before doing their Grand Finale (which I
: thought was great by the way).
: I believe him.
: Next year, I think they will have a tape marked
: "OFFICIALLY APPROVED TIME KILLER TAPE" handy for the
: occassion.
: Finally, I think that it speaks a lot about our society
: (as well as being ironic in the extreme) that any
: random tape laying around is as likely as not to be
: filled with sex and violence.
: Joe J.
I think it also says something that in the "rarified" atmosphere of the Disney world the preferred entertainment tape left sitting around was in fact a "questionable" tape. Does Disney have a seamy underworld behind the scenes? As a high school teacher in a rapidly urbanizing district in NJ I can say from experience that the wholesome, all American, apple pie kid is a thing of the past. Face the facts- this risque stuff is what the kids flock to and what society is selling today. I am willing to bet that many of the kids in that crowd would have rather watched more videos like that "forbidden" video than listen to the speeches. Sad but true. We have a long road ahead...
Maybe the answer for next year is a video showing short clips of ALL the teams in their rounds since any given division could only see their flight's activities. My guys would have loved to see the "body suit" controls which won the Innovation in Control Award! We also would have loved to have appeared somewhere in the closing because we were really proud of our 'bot and we felt a bit let down in the end. I'll bet every team was equally proud. An all encompassing video would be a real crowd pleaser.
This video could start with short bits from the regionals. The show last year with the photos was tremendous- better than this year's in my mind. Everybody likes to be recognized, even if just for a brief second. How many anonymous teams will go home this year with a losing robot, disinterested sponsors and little hope for improvement? How many won't return next year? The little recognition of a spot in the film might be the motivation needed to try again and succeed. It sure wouldn't hurt.
If the teams want to organize this or help out FIRST count us in. We'll find some way to make the time.
OK down off the soap box and back over the wall....
WC