Quote:
Originally Posted by davidthefat
I have been informed by several (not just one) member that does not appreciate my attitude/posting habits. I do make dogmatic and sometimes, even crass statements in a lot of my posts. That is just my personality, I like good discussions. In fact, in real life, I may even talk from the opposing view point to just for the fun of it, I just am like that. I am very opinionated, but that is good in my view. That shows individualism and I am not like sheep blindly following the crowd. In fact that has led me to make a big impact in my robotics team this year. Me being a rookie this year, no one expected me to be so very big mouthed. I did not know anyone in the club, may be just my teacher and a couple guys, but I was not afraid to speak my mind. I am sorry if you do not like my posting style and or my attitude, but I am not going to change. Sorry, I guess you have to deal with it then, it has done me more good than harm IMHO. I can be pretty blunt, but I try to use euphemism, but some things I just am passionate about.
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David,
I tried to single out a line or two in your post to quote but it is just too full of opinion and comment to narrow it down. The statements that I've underlined are the ones that really stand out to me, staying within the context of the whole post.
Having strong opinions and stating them, doesn't separate you from the crowd automatically and it doesn't necessarily show individualism. Not in Chief Delphi. Sometimes, you can be in a crowd of strong opinions and everyone is blasting them - over each other or at each other. (We've had a lot of that going on this spring.) It muddles and lumps everything together - it doesn't separate. What can separate you from the crowd and allow you to shine as an individual - if that is your goal - is your careful thinking and how you express it. What will also reflect well on you, is your thoughtful selection of words and how well you craft your posts. If your statements are crass or dogmatic, then you are not strengthening your position but rather, boxing yourself in, in a manner of speaking.
Many of the people here in Chief Delphi have a passion about FIRST. The programs that we are involved in have value and have introduced opportunities and challenges that have enriched lives and broadened horizons. Our involvement has deepened the awareness of the many many possibilities in education and in careers - as well as in our personal lives. The funny thing about that is - the more we become aware and learn, the more we become aware that there is more to learn and understand. That can create a place of humility where true growth can develop and mature. It is a place of inspiration.
Talking from an opposing view just for the fun of it - if done with the same careful thinking and selection of words - shows much more than talking from an opposing view just for the fun of it. It shows intelligence and the ability to think and approach the problem from different angles. It can also show objectivity. Someone who is a master of taking a different view and presenting it very well, creating opportunities for thinking to occur - is Dave Lavery. He is a master of breaking out of the noise and chatter in CD as everyone tumbles down a reckless road of opinion with very few facts and little clarity. He has been known to stop us all dead in our tracks again and again. How? With his careful thinking and choice of words. You can do searches for Dave Lavery's posts in CD. Where he really shines is when he offers insight and perspective into a discussion. He is also the master of never really letting the reader know his true personal opinion about the topic, because he can offer an opposing or different view very well.
If you feel that you will not change - as a first year member on a team and here in CD - then you will feel more loneliness than you deserve. Others will be changing around you. It is a natural part of the process and an amazing one. I hope that you do change - naturally. And that you grow and develop as a member of the team and here in Chief Delphi.
Jane