Who would you like to see speak at a FIRST event?

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Jessica Boucher

But....does it matter? What is the metric that we decide the successfulness of a speaker? Do more well-known speakers score better, or does a lesser-known speaker perform just as well?

I'm going to respond by raising the spectre of the "What Kind of Engineer Are You?" thread. In there, I recall someone (I want to say phrontist) arguing that one isn't an engineer until they both have that oh-so-special piece of paper (some call them "diplomas") and have done something useful with it.

I kinda judge public speaking the same way. One's background (launching people into space, designing some freaking awesome device, etc) is their credentials that get them in the door, sort of like an engineering degree does in the world of work. What gets you truly recognized, however, is what exactly you do with it--in the case of speaking, how well you're able to convey your message to the group into something that they can use, whether for entertainment or inspiration or anything else. Both are required to really be a good speaker.

Take the example of Dean Kamen. His background (DEKA, Segway, and some other thing I forget) gets him in the door. Sometimes, his speeches are a little flat, especially if your mind is not on the right wavelength when listening to him. Thus, Dean tends to wind up about upper-mid-pack on the great ranking scale of speakers, getting edged out by the Dave Laverys (Laveries?) of the group, but still coming in ahead of others (see also: Will Smith).

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Jessica Boucher

Hahaha, alright, looks like we've sidetracked into "Off-Topic Land", an area I know I have to visit every so often but I am always happy to leave.

So, I'm going to post a new, but related question.

Now, we've heard a lot of different viewpoints from a lot of different people. But, do any of us on this forum actually know what's best for the target we're trying to hit with a speaker? Not necessarily. Not only are most of us in this thread out of the 14-18 bracket, but we're already FIRST-converted. Added with the fact that we're interested enough in FIRST that we take the time to be an active part of FIRST's Online Community, we are naturally more attuned to the science/tech sector than an average HS student would be. So, someone we may suggest because we like them may actually flop among who we're trying to reach.

But....does it matter? If we choose someone that would not normally be picked by someone in the target, will they react as well to the speaker?
What is the metric that we decide the successfulness of a speaker? Do more well-known speakers score better, or does a lesser-known speaker perform just as well?

One thing I do wonder is why do we always have to have just an engineer or an inventor? FIRST says it's about more than just the robots but it always goes back to that. Why not for once try someone who has no technical expertise but excels at making a difference in society at large by going the extra mile to help others? Those are the kind of people who epitomize the Chairman's Award right?
I mean we tend to look down our noses at entertainers and athletes here but there are some who would make worthy choices to inspire kids like Atlanta Falcons running back Warrick Dunn who to put it simply is an amazing human being.
I think it's good to sometimes show the kids that you don't have to make the cure for cancer to make the world a better place. Just make a difference.

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

I mean we tend to look down our noses at entertainers and athletes here but there are some who would make worthy choices to inspire kids like Atlanta Falcons running back Warrick Dunn who to put it simply is an amazing human being.

Ed. That is a great suggestion. Warrick Dunn is a great man. He has a fantastic story and he does great things for his community, both in Florida and Georgia. I would love to see him speak at the Championships.

... also... I have him on my Fantasy Football team.

My top 2 choices from these suggestions are Burt Rutan and Warrick Dunn. Can we have both?

AB

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

Ed. That is a great suggestion. Warrick Dunn is a great man. He has a fantastic story and he does great things for his community, both in Florida and Georgia. I would love to see him speak at the Championships.

... also... I have him on my Fantasy Football team.

My top 2 choices from these suggestions are Burt Rutan and Warrick Dunn. Can we have both?

AB

I didn't like him when he broke off a 59 yard run on my Bills ( ) but otherwise he's a great guy and he's local (though I'm not sure if he lives in Atlanta). I wonder who is in charge of linig up speakers for the championship event?

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

Ed. That is a great suggestion. Warrick Dunn is a great man. He has a fantastic story and he does great things for his community, both in Florida and Georgia. I would love to see him speak at the Championships.

... also... I have him on my Fantasy Football team.

My top 2 choices from these suggestions are Burt Rutan and Warrick Dunn. Can we have both?

AB

I second that motion.

Warrick is an all around great guy. I'd love to hear him speak.

[KORN_lover_2007]

"I, personally, would like to see President Bush speak. I know that it might be incredibly hard to arrange, but I know that he has a deep involvement in the education of America, and FIRST really shows our generations potential.

But I'll bet that has been suggested before, so one more person I would like to see speak would be Bill Nye: The Science Guy."

I think President Bush would be a speaker that is way too controversial. I know I personally am not too fond of him and I would probably even find it a bit insulting to have him speak at robotics championship. Although I do agree with wanting to hear Bill Nye: The Science Guy speak. I also remember watching him as a kid and that's what really got me into science. I think he would be an awesome speaker. Or the guys from Mythbusters would be cool. I think a great speaker would need to be from the mainstream or else us students won't be incredibly excited about it.

[Mike Williams]

I think that you idea of having the Mythbusters would be amazing. I am a huge fan of the show and I am sure many others are and they would definately be very cool people to have on

[Nuttyman54]

Mythbusters are awsome. So is Bill Nye. And Burt Rutan (which may not be that hard to organize, I think Scaled Composites sponsors a team). How about Sebastian Thrun or "Red" Whittaker? Or maybe Larry Page and/or Sergey Brin?

[Greg Perkins]

I know its late....but I really wish Kirby Puckett could've spoken...He overcame so much adversity to get to where he was...too bad he passed away so young

[jkbuilder]

I'd love to See Rutan Speak. If there is an on the edge, leading developer in Engineering who is also an entrepreneur, its Rutan.

Also: Franklin Olin Professors.

EDIT: ok, I got one: Burt Rutan ![/quote]

[FF_1610_EMT]

Chuck Yeager (just for the he!! of it)

[Mike Schroeder]

Originally Posted by FF_1610_EMT

Chuck Yeager (just for the he!! of it)

They already had him speak, and after wanting to strap bombs to the robot, i doubt they would invite him back to speak

[AudieMurphy]

Gotta go with Jesse James from Monster Garage. Can't think of a cooler hands-on engineer on the planet, and he could sign all my West Coast Choppers stuff.

I have seen Bill Nye speak, and he is pretty incredible, too.

vic

[Dillon Compton]

My vote is with Bill Nye, personally.

Also, Red Whittaker and a few others early in this thread were great suggestions.

2006, lets hope for some stellar speakers!

[Tim566]

Bill Nye would make a nice speaker I think.