A new era for FIRST.....and mixed feelings

[Joe Ross]

Originally Posted by SilenceNoMore

This isn't your daddy's FIRST anymore, boys and girls. It is obvious that FIRST's main goal is no longer to inspire high school students to become engineers/scientists. It is now extremely political and money-oriented. I not saying that these two forces should be absent from FIRST, however they play too big of a role.

I think you drew the wrong conclusion from the correct observations. FIRST does care about inspiring students, however, it is currently limited by money and politics. Both are very real world issues that EVERY company and organization is limited by.

Do you have any experience running a nationwide organization? How about putting on events that draw 10,000 people? I'm sure FIRST would love to hear your specific constructive critiscm on how to run the events and organization better. In fact, they even give you the team forum to express your views and ideas to the directly.

[SilenceNoMore]

Originally Posted by Joe Ross

I think you drew the wrong conclusion from the correct observations. FIRST does care about inspiring students, however, it is currently limited by money and politics. Both are very real world issues that EVERY company and organization is limited by.

Do you have any experience running a nationwide organization? How about putting on events that draw 10,000 people? I'm sure FIRST would love to hear your specific constructive critiscm on how to run the events and organization better. In fact, they even give you the team forum to express your views and ideas to the directly.

If you want constructive ideas to make FIRST better here they are:

1. Enforce the rules for ALL teams. I am tired of seeing rules trampled upon. It was so bad this year, it was complete anarchy in some places.

2. Institute penalties for teams who break rules AND actually ENFORCE them. It was threatened, but never followed. Look, I am not asking for a force of jack-booted FIRST thugs who go around looking for people breaking rules, I just want FIRST to actually practice what they preach.

3. Ban political/ideological figures from FIRST events. This does not include elected or governmental officials, but people like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Bill Bennett, Bill O'Reilly, etc., etc. This adds an unhealthy dimension to FIRST when politics comes into FIRST. Keep it to ROBOTS people.

4. Improve communication with teams. FIRST, along with its suppliers, made it difficult for teams to get information and order parts. Several teams here can testify to the difficulties they had with their KOP.

5. Better suppliers and/or better quality parts in the kit or make the game more suitable to the parts. If neither of these can be done, raise the cost of the kit or put less parts in.

6. Put a muzzle on Dean Kamen. From what I here on this board everyday and from general chatting with FIRST members, Dean Kamen has become totally disconnected from FIRST and its members. It shows in his speeches and "homework" assignments. I know a lot of you worship Dean Kamen like a God, but he really makes himself look like an arrogant, isolated New England plutocrat.

[Cory]

Originally Posted by SilenceNoMore

6. Put a muzzle on Dean Kamen.

Can we put a muzzle on you instead?

Your disrespect, arrogance, and ignorance are astounding.

If you were put into FIRST's shoes, I guarentee you you wouldn't look at things the same way.

Cory

[Jessica Boucher]

I hate to say it one more time, but please, back on topic.

This was originally a thread about qualifying for the Championship - all discussion concerning changes besides qualifying for the Championship would hit a better audience in separate threads concerning those topics.

[JVN]

Originally Posted by Cory

Can we put a muzzle on you instead?

Your disrespect, arrogance, and ignorance are astounding.

If you were put into FIRST's shoes, I guarentee you you wouldn't look at things the same way.

If he was in FIRST's shoes.
I'd find a new competition to participate in.

John

[soezgg]

Nationals were great in 2002 (the only season my team has made it).

Competition (yes, FIRST is actually a competition (I know, yes it is so much more!)) drives performance. I guess that the idea of 'making it' to the National event will inspire teams to raise the bar, so to speak. This, in turn, will provoke more feats of engineering dexterity. Good game.