Battlebots an Newsweek

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Posted by s_alaniz at 05/22/2001 1:14 AM EST


Other on team #57 from Houston Regional co-ordinator.



The May 28th issue of Newsweek has an article about Battlebots and
mentions Battlebots IQ along with an unflattering paragraph on Dean.
Pick up a copy or log on to this site
http://www.msnbc.com/news/575871.asp

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Posted by Angela Hall at 05/22/2001 8:39 AM EST


Student on team #180, SPAM Robotics, from Martin County High School and UTC/Pratt&Whitney .


In Reply to: Battlebots an Newsweek
Posted by s_alaniz on 05/22/2001 1:14 AM EST:



That one paragraph of the story seems to simply be a nice way of punching FIRST and Dean in the face. Ok, so maybe Battlebots people think Dean's being unfair. Everyone can be at times. There's no need to put down FIRST. Dean just wants us high schooler's not to be exposed to the violence that Battlebots shows daily. I guess that's something Woody would be likely to agree with when he says that FIRST "is all about the good stuff [he] sees in today's teenagers" and not the bad, the violence, out there in today's society. Why destroy the good that FIRST has brought about with violence? Doesn't make sense to me. - Angela

P.S.I must say that I would get involved if there was a Battlebots team started near me that was all high schoolers, but I think there is no need for FIRST and Battlebots to enter one another's worlds.

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Posted by Tom Fennell at 05/22/2001 8:19 PM EST


Student on team #112, Gear Grinders, from Buffalo Grove High School and Motorola.


In Reply to: Re: Battlebots an Newsweek
Posted by Angela Hall on 05/22/2001 8:39 AM EST:



Not to brew up a huge debate, but pitting to remote-controlled machines against one another appears to be more-closely linked to destruction, as opposed to the concept of violence, which carries a strong connotation of human against human bloodshed, crime, etc. Personally, I believe there isn't too much wrong with a BattleBots concept, other than the fact I feel first is wrongfully overshadowed(and that is based on FIRST's purpose versus that of BattleBots). Just a few thoughts, because it seems like many speak of BattleBots as though it is hurting someone, or putting someone at risk or causing some kind of damage to something becides a machine which is created for that sole purpose. There's my 2¢. But I've been wrong before.

-Tom, Team 112 (Gear Grinders)

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Posted by Justin at 05/22/2001 11:44 AM EST


Alumni on team #146, Blue Lightning, from none and The Blue Lightning Alumni Association.


In Reply to: Battlebots an Newsweek
Posted by s_alaniz on 05/22/2001 1:14 AM EST:



: The May 28th issue of Newsweek has an article about Battlebots and
: mentions Battlebots IQ along with an unflattering paragraph on Dean.
: Pick up a copy or log on to this site
: http://www.msnbc.com/news/575871.asp

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Posted by Matt Leese at 05/22/2001 12:07 PM EST


College Student on team #73, Tigerbolt, from Edison Technical HS and Alstom & Fiber Technologies & RIT.


In Reply to: Battlebots an Newsweek
Posted by s_alaniz on 05/22/2001 1:14 AM EST:



The paragraph didn't come off TOO unflattering in my opinion but that wasn't what I was going to talk about. Does anyone know the level of truthfulness to the statement that Dean asks FIRST suppliers not to supply to Battlebots? As far as I know, InnovationFIRST used to sell controllers for the Battlebots competition and then mostly stopped (at least the web page about it was taken down) but I've also been told that Battlebots in general is moving to the InnovationFIRST control system. Anyone want to enlighten me here?

Matt

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Posted by Justin at 05/22/2001 12:44 PM EST


Alumni on team #146, Blue Lightning, from none and The Blue Lightning Alumni Association.


In Reply to: Re: Battlebots an Newsweek
Posted by Matt Leese on 05/22/2001 12:07 PM EST:



Matt,

Well the link below is @ least one team using the InovationFIRST controllers. I doubt that if u call up InnovationFIRST they'd refuse to sell you one. For all they know you are a FIRST team. I don't really have any real information on the situation though. But if I ever build a Battlebot you can rest assured I'd scour through old FIRST Bots to get an InnovationFIRST control system ;-)

-Justin

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Posted by Matt Leese at 05/22/2001 4:23 PM EST


College Student on team #73, Tigerbolt, from Edison Technical HS and Alstom & Fiber Technologies & RIT.


In Reply to: Re: Battlebots an Newsweek
Posted by Justin on 05/22/2001 12:44 PM EST:



The controllers InnovationFIRST sold for Battlebots were 24-volt as opposed to 12-volt that is used in FIRST. So they weren't exactly the same.

Matt

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Posted by Jessica Boucher at 05/23/2001 7:53 AM EST


Student on team #237, Sie-H2O-Bots, from Watertown High School and Eastern Awning Systems & The Siemon Company.


In Reply to: Battlebots an Newsweek
Posted by s_alaniz on 05/22/2001 1:14 AM EST:



After some digging, we found the author's email.

All opinions about the article go to the author, Brad Stone at bstone@panix.com

All "letters to the editor" to be printed in Newsweek go to Letters@newsweek.com

-Jessica B

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Posted by colleen - T190 at 05/23/2001 3:29 PM EST


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


In Reply to: Battlebots an Newsweek
Posted by s_alaniz on 05/22/2001 1:14 AM EST:



FIRST
BattleBots (and BB IQ)
Robot Wars
Junkyard Wars
etc
etc
etc

They all have the same goal in mind: teaching people to flex the right muscle-- the brain.

Basketball, football, hockey, track&field, field hockey, soccer, softball, etc, etc, etc.. they are just as much 'in competition' as FIRST is with the likes of the these other robotics competitions..

And do you want to know what-- it's no big deal!! there's room enough in the world for all those sports.. just as there is room enough for all robotic competitions.. and there isn't an 'issue' over it unless someone makes it... unless someone tells companies not to sell to battlebot folks.. unless... unless..

You don't see the coaches of the NBA going around telling their uniform suppliers not to sell to NFL teams cause, well, their game is 'just too rough for our liking' and because Superbowl season cuts into basketball's airtime..

No one would think of it.. and why should we? Different people like the different competitions for their uniqueness.. because they have particular tastes, and they don't get bored cause they have the right to choose which they watch.. and as long as the games are played there will be fans in the stands.. there will be little kids running around wanting to "be like mike" etc etc..

So congrats to the people in Plymouth North and Mr.B.. for knowing the velocity of that radio as it flies.. for building the 'bot.. etc etc.. congratulations to them for making the point i think everyone needs to wake up to: it's not the means to the end that matters, it is the end itself that counts for something. In the end, those kids will be just as educated in robotics as any of us. They will be just as 'inspired' and have as much 'recognition' of science and technology as anyone in FIRST will..

They just play football & hockey while we play golf. That's all..

And as the great Mr.B once said back in 1996.. "These robots are just 3-dimensional, physical metaphors of what we are actually trying to accomplish" think about it.

So any author or editor notes from me would go to the tune of "thank you for helping to get robotic sports more attention by mass media."

--colleen

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Posted by Ken Patton at 05/23/2001 5:43 PM EST


Engineer on team #65, The Huskie Brigade, from Pontiac Northern High School and GM Powertrain.


In Reply to: Don't see a problem....
Posted by colleen - T190 on 05/23/2001 3:29 PM EST:



I think you make the right point Colleen. Its only when people try to take something away from the other guy that makes it an issue.

In fact I'm surprised to hear that Dean would try to talk someone out of helping Battlebots. It goes against what we know about him - he's the guy thats trying to get us to like 4 on 0 matches, after all! I'm not sure I beleive that part of the article...

I'd think that a few letters to Newsweek along the lines of "wow, its great to see you recognizing robot sports - I was at the FIRST Nationals this year, and it was awesome because ..." would be productive for us FIRST fans.

Ken

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Posted by Jessica Boucher at 05/23/2001 6:36 PM EST


Student on team #237, Sie-H2O-Bots, from Watertown High School and Eastern Awning Systems & The Siemon Company.


In Reply to: right on
Posted by Ken Patton on 05/23/2001 5:43 PM EST:



: I'd think that a few letters to Newsweek along the lines of "wow, its great to see you recognizing robot sports - I was at the FIRST Nationals this year, and it was awesome because ..." would be productive for us FIRST fans.

...I dug up those emails...'cause no matter how you feel about the issue, its good to voice it to them.

-Jessica B