Farewell, Chief Delphi.

[JoeXIII'007]

Originally Posted by CraigHickman

....Over the past two months I have been verbally assaulted and degraded by more than ten people in the FRC community that I used to look up to. I have attempted to provide a different perspective on many things, and as a result received a torrent of PMs and other messages that have both degraded my intelligence, and blatantly (and seemingly intentionally) misinterpreted the bulk of my ideas.

I hope to leave you all with a message: Just because someone disagrees with you, and has a differing opinion, does not mean they are "un-GP." Just because someone thinks differently than you or your team does not make them inferior. The issue of waving the GP flag at anything that was different has come up, but nothing changed. Consider this your first casualty of the FIRST cult mentality.

Having been kicked off a FIRST team by a student with power delusions, I hoped to be able to keep involved through CD. For a time, it worked. I was still a part of FRC, and I enjoyed it. But over time, the same issues that have bugged me for a long time, and have dug at me since I joined have not gone away, nor even diminished. There are many here who were not part of the problem, and I'd like to thank them. I could name names, but it wouldn't prove anything, nor further any goal.

So farewell, Chief Delphi. I applaud FIRST's goals, I just think many people here need to examine how they communicate with others. Sometimes it is worth it to stop and read what you've written before posting.

If I could point to the FIRST community's Achilles heal, it would be what you laid out here, and even after knowing about it in my gut for more than 3 years (oddly after 2004 this became evident, but not on CD so much), I could not at all put it better than you have right here.

That said, FIRST is not a battleground for anything and should never be treated like such, and seeing this sort of departure is plainly sad...

But, you gotta do what you gotta do. Good Luck out there!

[Akash Rastogi]

I hope to learn a lot about CAD from you later on. I'll try to keep in touch. As for you leaving...its sad how people on here interpret things and don't let opinions of others lay where they are... people really need to ease up with the whole "Un-GP" and GP thing sometimes and stop using it to back everything up or like you said, use it as a blatant excuse to shoot down another person's opinions.

Good luck out there, please develop your ideas into a reality....and yes Ed, I hear they pay in cupcakes, not Krispy Kreme

-Akash Rastogi

[billbo911]

Wow Craig, I'm at a loss for how to reply. I for one, will miss seeing you around CD. I have always appreciated your input on subjects that you post on.
I must say, I didn't realize the you were dealing with the battles that you mentioned above. Maybe that is because you had the GP, and wisdom, not to air those issues publicly. THANK YOU!!!
It seems from your comments that your style of thinking outside the box, considering alternative approaches, attempting to do things in an unconventional way and having the courage to talk about it has gotten you in trouble. Well I say, KEEP DOING IT!!!! That style of thinking is where genius resides and flourishes.

If you ever want to work with a team again, look me up. The teams in this area could definitely use your support and experience, and we love the unconventional. Besides, Sacramento is not that far away.

[vivek16]

You will be missed.

Adios, Amigo.

-Vivek

[chris31]

The community will miss you, your vast knowledge and amazing CAD work. Best of luck on your future projects and goals.

Chris

[Carlee10]

I don't think it's right that people have been rude enough to make you feel that you have to leave, here or your on your team. I don't believe I've had much of anything bad said about me, but to think that people would to it in here slightly disgusts me. Enough bad things are said about robotics people as it is, why turn on ourselves and make our colleauges and, for me, family feel not welcome. Man, I'm sorry you have to go. In the words of the Rugrats, "You gotta do what ya gotta do!"

[JaneYoung]

Stay.

Edit: "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering
can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."
Helen Keller (1880-1968)

[billbo911]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

Stay.

Edit:"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."
Helen Keller (1880-1968)

Again, Jane gives the best advice yet!
Ditto!

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

Stay.

Edit: "Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering
can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved."
Helen Keller (1880-1968)

To second what Jane has said, here's another good quote:

All the adversity I've had in my life, all my troubles and obstacles, have strengthened me... You may not realize it when it happens, but a kick in the teeth may be the best thing in the world for you. -- Walt Disney

Craig,

If you choose to leave then 'they' have won. I understand the feelings (PM me for my political issues I've faced in the last 4 months) but to leave only strengthens those who do not understand what GP really is all about.

GP is a code which is lived by, not a yardstick to measure others by.

I'm sorry if some have tried to judge you (using 'GP' as their yardstick ... again PM me about this, I know how you feel) but now is the time to stand up to 'them', because it's easy to be a leader when things go right, but it shows the true mettle of a leader when you feel you are being tested by those you have respected and looked up to.

CD is a place for discussion of ideas, even ones that are not popular. If you do choose to leave I will miss your posts and your skills and FIRST will have lost a good person. It is my hope that you reconsider.

[Joe Matt]

Oh come on guys, he's moving on with his life. Despite what some people have thought, this is healthy and good. It's not good to stay around leeching off that once great feeling of competing in HS. I wish Craig all the luck in the world and I know he will do great things and make engineering more interesting and inspire others, with or without FIRST.

[gblake]

Originally Posted by Joe Matt

Oh come on guys, he's moving on with his life. Despite what some people have thought, this is healthy and good. It's not good to stay around leeching off that once great feeling of competing in HS. I wish Craig all the luck in the world and I know he will do great things and make engineering more interesting and inspire others, with or without FIRST.

Joe - When I read his swan song message, I get a different impression - Blake

[thefro526]

Craig, You will be missed. Your CAD drawings have helped me understand some of the most complex systems in FIRST. I've always looked up to you because you were one of the very few to challenge people here. And you did it in such a way that was professional beyond anyone I've ever met our age. You've also been one of the very few to challenge the politics of CD and FIRST in general. We all see it happen and we let it happen. I've seen many of your posts labeled by others as UN-GP and I think that they're fine and they're within the what is right on the topic. But they must be read throughly to be understood. I'm sad to see you go, you will be missed by many.

[Molten]

First off, I hate to see you go. As stated above, I think that a break is healthy if that is what you are after. At my high school, I was the best draftsmen for two years. There was only one in the school I considered my equal in skill. You, however, have always been my goal. I would love to compete against you in CAD despite my certainty of defeat. It would just be an honor.

Secondly, I can't think of a single thing you have said that was the least bit GP and I would like to defy anyone here to find me a post worthy of a red dot.

In my opinion: If you aren't willing to get attacked for your opinions, then they aren't very strong opinions and are not worth having.

WARNING: Any of you that thinks that you can control GP by annoying any who disagree, know that there will always be another that appears where the other has left. Know, that though you might have gotten rid of Craig, I have no intention of letting his ideals leave with him.

Anyone who wants, give me red dots. I've worked hard to earn them. I've been careful to make sure my every word was kind. Making sure to make no enemies. I will not be doing this in the future. In the past I've let annoyances slide, but this is the last straw. I, for one, take your attacks upon Craig as attacks upon the community and myself. I will not forget.

You and I have never met, but I am certain that if we went to the same school, we would have been good friends.

[Joe Matt]

Originally Posted by gblake

Joe - When I read his swan song message, I get a different impression - Blake

And some people need to get angry to let go.