"i.am.FIRST -- Science is Rock and Roll" airs August 14th

[akeisic]

What I just watched (west coast) on TV is an absolute gift to FIRST. Thank you Will! Thank you for having the curiosity to google "Segway inventor" and thank you for calling Dean. And, naturally, thank you Dean for doing what you do!

Reading through the comments here, I'm surprised by some as this program proves that we are making a difference and changing the culture - one person at a time. I don't think there has ever been an entire hour (including the commercials) devoted to FIRST ever!

We must remember: if you're reading this comment right now you already "get it."

Being the geeks we are, I'd be interested in seeing the web traffic that FIRST generates before and after the program. That might give us a ever so small indication of impact this program just had.

[plasma_54]

Ok just got it uploaded to youtube. Here's the playlist:
http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL2A4640B848F63156

[msimon785]

Thank you will.i.am! I thought that the special was fantastic, and I'm really thrilled to see FIRST portrayed in such a positive, "cool" light. I think that it's important, as many others have already pointed out, to realize that we were not the targeted audience. It was directed at people ignorant of FIRST and its potential, hoping to exhibit the organization as something on par with celebrities and pop-culture in terms of "coolness". On that front, it most definitely succeeded.
It was really great to see several fellow team members on tv shaking judges hands graciously cherishing the title of regional finalists right at the end of the 1717 spotlight. Things like this really make me wonder why it is our school undermines the program, providing countless barriers to our success.
If I had one point of disappointment in the special, it would undoubtedly be the mistake consistent with all tv specials on FIRST. It really bugs me when they say, "Each team gets shipped an identical kit of robot parts to build their robot. They also get a manual which tells them what to do in this years game". This makes it seem like there is no design process and that we *only* use the KOP. On the contrary, most teams only use electrical eq. Drive train parts in the KOP are quite limited.
That said, that did not detract from my appreciation of the special and of will.i.am. I am really glad that he fulfilled his promise made at kickoff, a promise which I thought would fall through as soon as the kickoff ceremony ended.

[Molten]

I've not seen the special yet, so I won't be judging what was on the show. I'm judging your responses to the show.

This isn't the first step on the journey. I've had this in my signature for a long time, but it certainly applies here. "Though the first step is the hardest and the last step ends the quest, the long steps in between are certainly the best."–Gruffi Gummi, Disney's Adventures of the Gummi Bears. This isn't our first step. The journey has lasted 20 years now(though few of us have been a part of it that whole time). This isn't the last step. We still have a really long way to go. This is definitely a long step though. Lets appreciate it for all it is.

Let's put in perspective what happened here. We needed to get somewhere and we hitch-hiked. We borrowed a ride from complete strangers to get where we needed to go. This was a dangerous move because you never know is going to come of it. All things said, the general response would show that it was a positive experience. Yes, we sat in the back seat for most of the ride. Maybe they dropped us off a little sooner then we would have liked. But the point is we are much closer to our destination and no worse for the wear. It was alot better then walking the whole way on our own. If the opportunity arises(lets hope it does), I say we take the next car to pull over and see where it takes us.

Finally, about the news of this becoming an annual thing. I never even imagined that being a possibility. I thought, this is a great thing to celebrate 20 years then its back to trudging along. will.i.am you impressed me yet again with your generosity. I love the fact that he is choosing to do this with his money. I hope other celebrities choose to help with the expenses in the future. It'd be great to see a group of celebrities that "get it" the way will.i.am does.

Jason

[Akash Rastogi]

Thank you will.i.am for providing us with the grounds to help recruit more students, more sponsors, parents, schools, and the general public overall.

Hopefully this program will do what it intended to do.

.

[Marc S.]

Lol, My computer is more famous than i.am. (er... I am.)