Dangerous precedent set by Q&A 461: Loaning Parts/Assemblies to other teams

[Brandon Holley]

Originally Posted by efoote868

Or keeping with the analogy, is showing up with a spring-form pan and having someone else bake your cheesecake at the last minute and then winning the baking competition because the best chef was able to put their pre-made dessert in your pan exactly how they wanted, in the spirit of competition?


Seems it is unfair to any other participant, and is exactly why FIRST has to try so hard to define what a VENDOR is.

...keeping the analogy going...

Is inspiring and teaching a baker, who is in a very competitive baking competition, by showing them how to integrate mechanisms, play strategically and take a step forward in competitiveness in the spirit of the competition (the FIRST competition)??? - I have a hard time saying no to that question.

This discussion has grown from a singular example of the 2015 competition, to a fundamental discussion to its role in FRC as a whole. I want to continue reiterating the point, that a cheesecaking event is NOT a one-way, wham-bam-done type of event. Every cheesecake I've been apart of or have witnessed has been a very inspirational, very unique activity of two or more teams coming together to do something great.

It appears there are a lot of arguments being made to the 'spirit of competition' while completely ignoring the fact that this could be one of the most inspirational moments for a student.


-Brando