Limited Vs. Large funds?

[bigqueue]

Originally posted by JHBurch
Competing in FIRST is more like competing in the NFL than the soapbox derby. I am impressed by your ability to persevere and field a team with limited money and engineering support. On the other hand, I don't think because some teams are currently working on a shoestring budget that FIRST should limit the funding for all teams. The better scenario would be for FIRST and the FIRST community of teams and sponsors to find ways to help under-supported teams achieve a higher level of engineering and monetary support, both in and out of their local area. As for engineering support, many teams already welcome questions and requests for help and respond with detailed drawings, code snippets and strategy suggestions. Perhaps FIRST and others could also start a fund for teams with limited support and provide further assistance in finding engineering sponsors for teams. Sort of a welfare plan (no negative connotation intended) for robotics teams to help them get on their feet. I guess this is a little like what NASA is already doing by co-sponsoring so many teams.

We all want a level playing field, but I believe the level should be a high one - not one cut down to the least common denominator.

I didn't mean to suggest that teams be TOLD to spend less...rather, a part of the point system relates to the cost spent. (less being better) This could be justified by saying that it is a measurement of Engineering Efficiency. (how much goodness you get per dollar spent, which is actually a really important factor in the real world..I think Nasa would even agree with that these days since they get more landers per billion $)

I am not in favor of a Welfare concept....because I think it actually makes the teams with marginal means the real losers. Those with nothing get subsidized and while they get the minimal subsidy (low standard of living), it costs them zero effort to get that. Those with money always live large....but their effort raising money is also low. (both of the above need only think about putting effort into design....neither needs to worry about the effort of raising money) The teams with marginal means probably do not qualify for a subsidy, AND probably work hard for every dollar they do raise. They have the hardest job because not only do they need to do the work on the robot (and other jobs), but they need to work to raise the cash needed to fund the whole effort.

I certainly do NOT want a situation where we take money from the rich teams in order to subsidize the less fortunate teams. What would that entail, taking the entry feed from $5000 to $10,000 in order to redistribute the wealth??!! (and lose 10% of it all in the "cost" of redistribution?)

Oh well...such is life,
-Quentin