Quote:
Originally Posted by Paul Copioli
When the GDC uses the word block, they seem to throw in "the entire track" or "the flow of traffic."
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I guess I can understand the ambiguity of the statement because "Block" is not specifically defined, however niether are the words traffic or entire, I don't mean to be sarcastic but I guess it seems to be a bit of lawyerisms, from the other perspective I would believe that many people would just assume, unless previously redefined, the definition of the word would reflect either colloquial or dictionary definition.
Dictionary.com ( because its easy to cut and paste ) makes three references that I would assume to be relevant in 4, 6 and v. intr 1.
Quote:
v. blocked, block·ing, blocks
v. tr.
4.
1. To stop or impede the passage of or movement through; obstruct: block traffic.
2. To shut out from view: a curtain blocking the stage.
3. To stop the passage of (a motion or bill) in a legislative assembly.
6. Sports To impede the movement of (an opponent or the ball) by physical interference.
v. intr.
1. Sports To obstruct the movement of an opponent.
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Ironically, the word Impede does show up, which I'm not even sure who that helps, but these are the definitions. I know this doesn't really further the argument, because we both agree on what its saying, we just don't agree on how its applied. It bothers me that the rules are unclear, because the place where they clarify intent, specifically states blocking, by anyone of the above definitions, would be illegal.
Really I guess I can only see two ways to address this problem, Update the purpose of Q&A or update a bulletproof clarification with no vague answers on the Q&A.
For the Q&A's sake partial applied weight doesn't make sense to me, either make it equal to the updates OR get rid of it as a public forum. I realize at a competition this is kind of what a referee group does by specifically clarifying intent in driver meetings and by established a precedence in their calls. This all comes by what was handed down to them by FIRST. But to have one FIRST document say one thing and one say another is ludicrous, its wishy washy, it creates confusion, and those who can't adapt to the clarification at competition suffer greatly, when they did all they could to prepare before they got there.