Dean's watch

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Joe Matt

This is why I'm starting to give up on FIRST. People are creepy about this kind of thing.

Joe, I like this discussion and what it is talking about.

There are ramifications for everything we do. Action/reaction. FIRST is growing by leaps and bounds. The homework assignment is impacting. Those who were involved in FIRST from the beginning and the earlier years are seeing the effects of growth and expansion now. As FIRST has grown so has the continual impact of Mr. Kamen's inventions and his philosophy, globally.

This is a good thing. As members of FIRST who support the program and Dean Kamen, who comes with a little baggage - his inventions and their potential impact - we can be careful or we can be careless in our attitudes and reactions to movement towards mainstream and world recognition.

That brings in Gracious Professionalism. Yup. It does.
The tool that no other organization has used so clearly, significantly, and consistently.

Teenagers are teenagers. That is not going to change. What changes is that teenagers grow up into college age, young adults, and then continue to mature (at least chronologically). But, the wheel of FRC is always going to circle around the excitement, enthusiasm, interests, and perspectives of teenagers. Mentors play a key role in adding knowledge, expertise, wisdom/humor to the wheel, keeping it balanced.

Teenagers and young people can focus on things. Adults can as well - gadgets come to mind.
I'm reminded of Beatles bubblegum cards. What could have been perceived as creepy by the drugstore owner who let us sit in the booths at the soda fountain and ooh and ahh and trade cards, was welcomed and smiled at. I'm sure in all his years of running that soda fountain, he had seen teenagers come and go, bringing in their latest fashion and fad. It's a big part of being a teenager. That isn't creepy but it is self-centered/self-focused.

As Dean Kamen becomes more recognized and brings more recognition to the programs he is involved in, FIRST is impacted. Teenagers are impacted. Mentors and sponsors are impacted. I think that was the plan. Flexibility, humor, and wisdom in facing the challenges arising with this popularity and growth, will help keep the wheel in balance, all the while building teams who build robots.