Intentionally Losing Matches

[Brandon Holley]

Originally Posted by 1885.Blake

Somewhere along the line I got the impression that using brain power well and celebrating the skillful use of science and mathematics was part of that higher standard. I guess I was wrong about that.

You are right, we should stop keeping score during matches and play them only for fun and for the benefit of the audience. We should stop using success in the tournament as a way to recognize teams that have worked hard to understand fully how the tournament system works and how to use a well-designed and built robot to maximize their chances of being in the winning alliance.

See above - Also, since when did meticulous analysis of the mathematics and social interactions of a tournament become known as "finagling"? In my math, science and engineering studies it has been known as "optimizing".

First of all here, you took many of my statements and turned them around. I no where EVER said that we should "stop keeping score" to play them for fun. The things we learn in FIRST are NOT just science and engineering. We are SUPPOSED to be learning how to be better people while learning all kinds of skills.

I am all for winning a tournament, believe me, I've done it, it is awesome. However, why would you not play your best every single match? Deal-striking happens all the time in government/politics...and ALL of those people are just SOOO well liked <\sarcasm>

We are trying to change the world with FIRST, make the world a better place. Where winning is STILL CELEBRATED, but the real fun is in learning and just being there for "the ride".


I understand the point you are trying to make by saying that you are applying "analysis" to try and win the tournament. But given that this scenario is flawed to begin with, and you are not gaining much of an advantage to do so, it seems to me that guaranteeing yourself a spot in the finals and making it to the top 8 is a good accomplishment.

It appears however, we are not on the same page. It's been said forever, "winning isn't everythign", and thats because it isn't.