The Triplet Challenge

[Jack Jones]

Let’s forever end the debate on collaboration – and commit to use it for the purpose of growing and sustaining FIRST.

You can’t simply beg the result of the debate by declaring victory and implying that we who oppose “Tripletism” are somehow against growing FIRST. I, for one, am not about to let you do that.

If what you say about Collaboration's intention of getting new teams up and running quickly, with a high level of capability, then why did you align yourselves against all of the rest at every event? Was it about building teams, or was it about compiling victories? All that you say about helping them with registration, travel, spare parts, batteries, tools, organizational structure, marketing and financial planning, scouting, me play, and mentor expertise could be done without turning it into a competitive advantage. I can’t say that I blame you; it’s just human nature, which is exactly why I’m dead set against identical robots and a game plan conspiracy.

There are a couple of models that show where Tripletism could take us. NASCAR is one, and the Afghan warlords the other. The NASCAR model wouldn’t work. There’s no profit incentive without television contracts. But if it somehow caught on, would it be FIRST, or just another Saturday afternoon where some couch potatoes got inspired by watching team FORD take on TOYOTA?

I can also envision the FIRST landscape being filled with Twins and Triplets with monikers like: Pinklettes, Division by Triplets, TribeDelphi, Wildstang Posse, Huskie Platoon, The Beastie Boys, Trucktown Thunder & Lightening, Killer Beehive, HOT-HOTTER-HOTTEST, Thunder Henhouse, The Bomb Squadron, and RUSH! RUSH! RUSH! What I see are warlords, which if you’ll excuse the expression, is downright un-American.

Go ye forth and multiply, but be careful what you wish, for ye may also divide!!!