Dean Kamen, Manual Laborers, and You

[pfreivald]

So Dean's speech at the end of Championship had what almost seemed like a throwaway comment that managed to offend at least two of my mentors and two of my sponsors (who were responsible for thousands of dollars of funding this year for our team).

His comment about how 'nobody wants a manual labor job' was not well-received by the general contractor who has been helping our team with electrical work, fabrication, and assembly for six years, nor by the farmer who gave us his time as well as over two thousand dollars (and has only ever wanted to be a farmer, and loves his job and his life), nor by the owner of the woodworking company that has given us thousands of dollars over the past several years.

I'm worried that I've lost one of those mentors (who said to me, "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can support this anymore"), and at least one -- if not both -- of those sponsors, who were deeply offended by Dean's callous and elitist comment.

And frankly, I agree with them. I couldn't help but look at the people breaking down the other fields behind Dean while he was speaking, and hoping that they were too busy doing the necessary work to make the Championship a success to have heard him. I couldn't help but think about all the security guards, janitors, maintenance people, truck drivers, drayage workers and so forth who made each regional and the Championship possible. It made me wonder if Dean has ever heard of Dirty Jobs, much less watched an episode.

Science and technology absolutely make the world a better place, and they should be celebrated, and FIRST is just the vehicle in which to do so. But manual labor jobs feed us, clothe us, produce much of the energy we use, clean up after us... Indeed, even all the coolest robots and technology are ultimately assembled and maintained by manual laborers -- or by robots that were assembled and maintained by manual laborers. Without them, science and engineering careers wouldn't even get off the ground.

So kids, I hope that as you grow up and go to college and get fabulous careers in science and technology, that you keep that lesson close to your heart -- the "little guys" getting their hands dirty are the reason your career is even possible, and you should be thankful for each and every one of them.

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by pfreivald

So Dean's speech at the end of Championship had what almost seemed like a throwaway comment that managed to offend at least two of my mentors and two of my sponsors (who were responsible for thousands of dollars of funding this year for our team).

His comment about how 'nobody wants a manual labor job' was not well-received by the general contractor who has been helping our team with electrical work, fabrication, and assembly for six years, nor by the farmer who gave us his time as well as over two thousand dollars (and has only ever wanted to be a farmer, and loves his job and his life), nor by the owner of the woodworking company that has given us thousands of dollars over the past several years.

I'm worried that I've lost one of those mentors (who said to me, "I'm sorry, but I don't think I can support this anymore"), and at least one -- if not both -- of those sponsors, who were deeply offended by Dean's callous and elitist comment.

And frankly, I agree with them. I couldn't help but look at the people breaking down the other fields behind Dean while he was speaking, and hoping that they were too busy doing the necessary work to make the Championship a success to have heard him. I couldn't help but think about all the security guards, janitors, maintenance people, truck drivers, drayage workers and so forth who made each regional and the Championship possible. It made me wonder if Dean has ever heard of Dirty Jobs, much less watched an episode.

Science and technology absolutely make the world a better place, and they should be celebrated, and FIRST is just the vehicle in which to do so. But manual labor jobs feed us, clothe us, produce much of the energy we use, clean up after us... Indeed, even all the coolest robots and technology are ultimately assembled and maintained by manual laborers -- or by robots that were assembled and maintained by manual laborers. Without them, science and engineering careers wouldn't even get off the ground.

So kids, I hope that as you grow up and go to college and get fabulous careers in science and technology, that you keep that lesson close to your heart -- the "little guys" getting their hands dirty are the reason your career is even possible, and you should be thankful for each and every one of them.

I'm a manual laborer. Have been one for 22 years.
I can't help it if I'm not as smart as some as the kids I mentor.
Doesn't mean that I'm not important or that I don;t have wisdom to pass down to them.

[ATannahill]

I think your reference to Dirty Jobs is right, as Mike Rowe says "Hard-working men and women who earn an honest living doing the kinds of jobs that make civilized life possible for the rest of us."

We need the manual workers, but, for the majority, Dean was right. He said we don't want to grow up to break our backs in a dead end job (paraphrasing). I am right now at a CNC milling competition, but I would leave now if it pigeon holed me it doing for the rest of my life. I have aspirations of becoming a big-shot engineer where the manual labor is light. Will it happen? I hope so, check in in ten years. Whether it does or not, I hope that I'm not stuck in the do this same thing 5 thousand times a day industry.

[Rick Wagner]

The robots we build in the future will make jobs safer, easier, cleaner, and better paying. Higher productivity will make more wealth for all to share, leading to a higher standard of living for everyone. There will be more leisure time for everyone, scientists, business people, and laborers alike.

[gblake]

I didn't hear the speech, but with this being the second year this topic has arisen, perhaps a certain degree of graciousness might have become accidentally neglected during the struggle involved in pursuing a worthwhile goal? Even the best of us can sometimes fall victim to tunnel vision when passionately devoting ourselves to accomplishing a goal.

This topic is not a debate about the truth or fallacy of some statement, it is about something else.

Blake

[gvarndell]

Originally Posted by gblake

This topic is not a debate about the truth or fallacy of some statement, it is about something else.

OK, I've been waiting for somebody else to ask but nobody has.
I am not challenging you because I wouldn't know where to start if I wanted to.
Would you please explain what you think it's about?

[gblake]

Originally Posted by gvarndell

OK, I've been waiting for somebody else to ask but nobody has.
I am not challenging you because I wouldn't know where to start if I wanted to.
Would you please explain what you think it's about?

It is quite simply remembering about one's manners and being polite.

Again, regardless of the truth or validity of all the other points discussed in this thread, I was taught to never show any disrespect for the way someone else puts food on their family's table.

Some folks have wondered how to be FIRST without doing that (without describing some careers as bad or undesirable). I suggest looking at it this way: FIRST helps its participants by showing them STEM's value, and by giving them options and choices. For some this is simply giving them an extra nudge in a direction they were already headed. For others FIRST gives them the key that unlocks a future full of possibilities.

To get back to the subject of manners, if I am ever in front of a group and even hint that someone whose best option is "manual labor" has made a bad choice, I want/need to be smacked hard with a 2x4. In the context of this thread, someone as blessed as I should never do anything other than show manual laborers extra respect, while continuing to open as many doors as I can.

That's how my grandmothers want me to behave.

Blake

[gvarndell]

Originally Posted by gblake

It is quite simply remembering about one's manners and being polite.

Thank you.
I think a 2X4 is a bit severe though.

[Kims Robot]

Originally Posted by lineskier

I don't think anyone would argue that Dean meant to offend people. I think the discussion here is more with regards to the fact that he did, unintentionally, and the complication that arose due to it. I think the individuals behind this thread are simply trying to bring to light that when Dean misarticulates, it has ramifications.

As I sat back and read this thread and read everyone analyzing Dean's words to the n'th degree, I could help but think I did not envy his position in the least. He has taken on the job of trying to change the culture while somehow trying to politically tiptoe around people's feelings... and just like our president every single word he says will be hashed and rehashed. We here on Chief Delphi rip apart every word he says, sometimes without trying to see the full meaning behind it.

I did a conference this past weekend on "Presentation Skills", and was even told by one of my students it was "SO Terrible" because after that he was analyzing everyone's speeches and now noticing everything they did wrong.

But my challenge is - you get up there and make a point as drastic as Dean's... as life changing as his and figure out a way not to offend someone. Its gotta be hard. I was scared enough going into a "Presentation Skills" conference in front of 50 people, knowing each of them would be analyzing my presentation skills. Now Dean has double duty of trying to convey a very powerful message, and do it as a great presenter.

Originally Posted by gorrilla

I was slightly saddened when Dean made this comment though, because it made me think about all the times my dad would come home from work(pumping concrete, not an easy job, he's 52 and doing a job I would struggle to do) and tell me that I better go to college so I dont have to do something like that.

Ditto.. my dad is "stuck" in a retail job at a woodworking store because he never finished his degree. While he doesn't have to constantly remind me of that, I am reminded of that when I see him having to refinance his mortgage or go a couple of months without fixing issues with his car, or not having taken a real vacation in over 10 years because he doesn't have the money.

I have a deep appreciation for all the skilled tradesmen and manual laborers. I thank the mailman and garbage collectors when I see them, I respect all of the technicians I have ever worked with for doing the hard and often repetitive work that I know would drive me insane. And for people that are passionate about those jobs all the better. But in FIRST, I want kids to see the opportunities that lie in science & technology careers. While I will hopefully teach them to respect absolutely every one and every career, I want their heros to be engineers & scientists. That means I'm not aiming for them to have heros that are actresses, basketball players, farmers, fishermen, stock traders, etc. There are places for all of that... but FIRST is for exposing kids to engineering. We can respect all of the shepard & Fedex people that cart all of our crates around, but that doesnt mean we intend to offend them when we say we want to be engineers.

I don't know about the rest of you, but Dean certainly changed my life drastically. So I for one would cut him some slack, try to find the good meaning behind what he said, and figure out a way to "pitch" it to any of those who are offended. While it definitely won't hurt to let Dean/FIRST know that those words caused offense, we can either pull everyone down complaining about it or rise towards the mission of this program.

[Andrew Schreiber]

Kim, I agree that Dean's words have been overanalyzed but I do think that dropping a letter to him letting him know that his words were interpreted by some as offensive has some value. Personally I would like to know if something I said in a presentation was way out of line. I would hope Dean is willing to accept criticism.

[Frenchie]

This thread reminded me of a New York Times Magazine article I read a while ago. It is a bit long, but definitely pertinent, and a good read.
It's about a PhD in political philosophy who decided to become a motorcycle mechanic.
Read up!
http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/24/ma...agewanted=1&hp

[Sunshine]

Originally Posted by Kims Robot

I did a conference this past weekend on "Presentation Skills", and was even told by one of my students it was "SO Terrible" because after that he was analyzing everyone's speeches and now noticing everything they did wrong.
.

Did you also tell you students to stick to the script? Are they taught to prepare and not 'wing it"? Do you explain that they should get right to the point and not get "long winded"?

Bad things can happen when you are not prepared and say things that come to top of your head. We've all been there. And unfortunately I believe we all witnessed Dean doing the same thing. He is a great man who has done great things. But sometimes I just wish he would stick to the script and get on with the show.

[gvarndell]

Originally Posted by pfreivald

His comment about how 'nobody wants a manual labor job' was not well-received . . .

I was a manual laborer from age 17 to age 30 and hated every day of it.
It's been 27 years since donning the 'white collar', but I'm pretty sure I recall that just about all my unskilled labor co-workers hated their lot in life too.

I am responding NOT to take issue with your post.
Not to invalidate your feelings (nor anyone's feelings) about the statement.

I just think it's fair to consider the context.
Dean was talking *to the students* who attended the champs.
Was it reasonable for him to assume that none of them aspire to a manual labor job?
I think so.

If you happened to be within earshot, it doesn't mean he was talking *to* you or *about* you.

Edit: it would have perhaps been better if he'd said that he assumed none of the students "wants a manual labor job", but I'm not willing to vilify him for not being so semantically precise.

[pfreivald]

Originally Posted by gvarndell

Not to invalidate your feelings (nor anyone's feelings) about the statement.

I'm not a manual laborer -- I'm a teacher. (Ok, and a part-time beekeeper. Which is manual labor. But that doesn't really count.)

I'm also nearly impossible to offend.

The mentor I quoted, however, is a manual laborer, he chose to be a manual laborer, he loves what he does, and he (rightfully) thinks that his place in society should be valued.

Dean was talking *to* the kids, yes, but he was talking *about* the economy as a whole. He specifically said that we don't want the old jobs back (which is hard to hear when you know a lot of people who would really, really, REALLY like to have their old jobs back -- there's a lot more pride in swinging a hammer than being on welfare).

...and Dean was also talking to everyone watching the international broadcast, be it via NASA or the internet. His audience was a lot more than those kids.

------------

The bottom line of my issue here is that his comment very likely cost my small, rural team mentors and sponsors that they cannot afford to lose. Speeches being what they are, they shouldn't be negatively impacting teams.

Whether or not you agree with my gripe about the speech, I'm certain that I'm not the only person with the same take on it -- nor my mentors the only mentors, nor my sponsors the only sponsors.

[Rob]

Perhaps Dean needs to listen...

He could shorten his speech and not offend these people at the same time...all it takes is focus and a bit less talking and he could make everyone happy...






Rob