How should we react to posts?

[MrBasse]

I don't know if it is fair to call him a jerk right away... I think what we have here is a something that we have all been, a kid. He saw what he views as a problem, which I think we can all agree can be a problem to different degrees with some teams, and his method for recognizing it was good until he went the extra step and crossed a line, or two, well maybe three.

I also don't think that it is fair for us to say that he doesn't understand FIRST either. Personally I feel that a kid will be more inspired (the true goal of FIRST) by learning how to make something and then actually making it, rather than just learning the process by watching someone else make it or by sending it off to a shop to be made. Does that mean that sending something out to be laser cut is a bad practice? Of course not, it happens in industry all the time. But does sending it out directly involve the students in the process from start to finish? More often than not I doubt it.

I am not saying I agree with his method, or his idea completely, but I can see where he is coming from and I feel that it is a legit concern that should be addressed in a friendly and compassionate way. Maybe by reminding him that the issue could be handled differently and seeing how he responds to the idea, rather than immediately saying that he is reported for doing something wrong.

We still have to remember that everyone makes mistakes, sometimes the results are just more visible and affect more than just the individuals involved...