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Unread 17-05-2004, 21:59
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Re: FIRST - Reason for existance

Quote:
Originally Posted by M. Krass
I didn't have the benefit of being able to attend the Championship this season, so I did not hear Kamen's speech and cannot write about it with any accuracy. Given its topic, however, I can surmise that two things might have been happening.

First, Kamen may just be immensely hypocritical and playing the role of propagandist and recruiter for the corporations who back FIRST. It's all too easy to forget that, while the engineers, scientists and technology professionals we work with through the build season are often talented, engaging, inspiring people, the corporations and companies they work for are often engaged in some unsavory business practices, questionable political lobbying efforts and manufacturing processes that damage the environment -- among other things. It's important that Ford is inspiring students to pursue engineering, but do we really want those students to go on engineering sport-utility vehicles that travel only ten miles for each gallon of gas burned? Is that what we're inspiring students to do with this program?

The other possibility is that Kamen sought to apply pressure to these corporations to change their business practices; to become environmentally conscious, to end outsourcing of jobs, and to research and develop technologies that will benefit the entire world -- not just the United States. That is a goal I can stand behind and am hopeful that someone with a little less fervor about their American nationalism can assure me that this was the case.
As you say yourself, Dean is representing the organization of FIRST as a whole. Is it not, then, appropriate for his feelings to mirror FIRST's intent (which did start, at least, partly from his vision)? Therefore, I think it is safe to say with at least some certainty that FIRST does try to follow what he envisions (what that is, I'm not arguing about).

In addition, FIRST is a business venture like any other. The primary goal for a business is to succeed (whether non-profit or profit). In order for FIRST to suceed it needs financial backing. What we do if our sponsors stopped giving us money? If Dean needs to help FIRST's sponsors by being their advocate, good for him! Its helping us keep the funding we need.

Quote:
Originally Posted by M. Krass
The foreigners who are taking these outsourced jobs are doing so at a fraction of the salary that an American expects -- and they can do so often because they're simply grateful that their family can eat. Those people deserve such jobs far more than someone who wants ten times as much so their kids can wear Nike shoes and get driven to school in the family's Ford Excursion.
I don't think FIRST's role is to play as moral/ethics policeman in the American economy. Instead of scolding others from "bad" things, FIRST is inspiring the future generations to do "better".

Quote:
Originally Posted by M. Krass
If Dean Kamen or any of the other CEO's represented through sponsorship of FIRST want to send a real message to this program's participants that says, unequivocally, their focus is on preserving jobs for Americans, the best thing they can do is to take a pay cut. When they can prove that they're motivated by something other than increased profit margins and shareholders returns, that sentiment will shift the paradigm of what it means to operate a business in this country.

Until I see that happen, I'm content in believing the stated purpose of the FIRST organization, not the remarks of Dean Kamen, and will continue to believe that FIRST is about inspiring the next generation to conduct business, value achievement, and support each other differently than the generations before it. Should it happen, I believe that it will also set an admirable example worthy of emulation and will be happy to remain involved in the program.
I never once saw in FIRST's mission statement a desire to make people less greedy. On the About Us page of usfirst.org comes:
Quote:
Originally Posted by usfirst.org
Our mission: FIRST designs accessible, innovative programs to build self-confidence, knowledge and life skills while motivating young people to pursue opportunities in science, technology and engineering.
Does it say that FIRST wants better business practices? No. If FIRST "keeps its eye on the ball" (where the ball is inspiring a recognition of science & technology) I think it would be far more successful than becoming a behemoth that can't keep its focus.

Another thing I see in these posts is the tendency to lower the respect/admiration for the "rich and famous" in order to increase respect for science/technology/etc. If FIRST is trying to decrease respect of other people in order to meet its ends, then it is using the same quote-unquote "unethical" practices that some on this thread seem to abhor.

It is my belief and hope that FIRST never does that, and I don't think it will.
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