Find Better Things To Do Than Gossip and Create Rumors in ChiefDelphi

[Molten]

I think that most sponsors that happen acrossed those threads can relate. Trust me, rumors spread through a factory extremely fast. If you don't believe me, tell a worker you heard that 20 jobs were getting lost and you think its coming out of the welders. I guarantee the welders will hear it, and start to speculate which ones. They will begin to prepare for it. I am not saying gossip and rumors are good. I'm just saying that they are normal. I have never really referred a sponsor to delphi, and I don't think I ever will. However, if they would seriously consider such a thing in deciding to sponsor...I'd rather they not sponsor me.

I've long thought that image goes both ways. A company wants to sponsor a team that fits their image. I want a sponsor that fits mine. If they are petty, I honestly would rather find a different source for money. I know many of you disagree with this, but I don't care about that. If I was worried about someone disagreeing with me, I would never post.

In short, I must respectfully disagree with you, Jane.

[XaulZan11]

Originally Posted by Molten

I think that most sponsors that happen acrossed those threads can relate. Trust me, rumors spread through a factory extremely fast. If you don't believe me, tell a worker you heard that 20 jobs were getting lost and you think its coming out of the welders. I guarantee the welders will hear it, and start to speculate which ones. They will begin to prepare for it. I am not saying gossip and rumors are good. I'm just saying that they are normal. I have never really referred a sponsor to delphi, and I don't think I ever will. However, if they would seriously consider such a thing in deciding to sponsor...I'd rather they not sponsor me.

Just because they can related doesn't mean they like it or think it is good. I can relate to someone who sleeps in and skips all thier classes. That doesn't mean I approve of their decisions and would want to work with them on a class project.

I also think the additude of "Well, it happens in the real world, thus it must be fine in FIRST" is a very dangerous path. Aren't we trying to change the culture?

[GaryVoshol]

"You must spread ..." - seems to happen a lot with Jane's posts.

So that company that has the rumor about the 20 welders to be laid off. Do you think they appreciate the loss of productivity as the welders bicker amongst themselves about who should go, and about how unfair the company is that cutters and grinders aren't included in the layoff?

The same thing happens here. We have a loss of productivity online as the signal-to-noise ratio is reduced. There have been a number of people who have said, if the content doesn't improve, they're not going to bother to read and post because it's a waste of their time. Some of these people are mentors or team members we all would consider to be tops in FRC.

Jane isn't talking about ramblings about what we think will happen in future games. It's more along the lines of "I heard the GDC wanted XXX to happen this year, and this is why it did/didn't." Unless you have personal knowledge of a GDC document or a conversation with a GDC member, there is no value in a post of that kind. And if you do have that personal knowledge, you probably shouldn't post it unless you want your friendly local GDC member to stop conversing with you.

FIRST and FRC aren't perfect, we all know that. But unless someone has the facts to back up an assertion, posting it will not lead to any resolution of the problem.

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Molten

In short, I must respectfully disagree with you, Jane.

Respectful disagreement is cool with me, Jason. The key word = respectful. Thank you. Although, from my experience in the various jobs I've had and places that I've been to - rumors and gossip can prove very harmful in the working environment and can create distrust among the staff and clientele. Not good.

Here is a little side topic regarding why I find value in referring people to ChiefDelphi as a resource for FIRST teams, keeping in mind that the primary resource is the FIRST website.

Teams can be isolated and self-focused. They don't know or care about the bigger picture and how understanding that bigger picture would impact their successful achievements and team development if they take the time to learn and understand. Some mentors and therefore, teams, get that immediately if not sooner. Some teams never care and never get that. Some teams can be introduced to it, led to it, and over time, get it. The broader the understanding, the more effective the team can be locally, within the community. Many areas don't have access to Hall of Fame teams and their wealth of knowledge, how-to's, and impact. Through their websites, the FIRST website, and ChiefDelphi, every team has access to these powerful role models and their standards of achievement.

Same thing with potential sponsors, vendors, suppliers, politicians, parents, school administrations. Introducing them to some of the fora in ChiefDelphi can be informative, educational, fun, and it can showcase the enthusiasm and commitment of many members and teams in the FIRST community.

ChiefDelphi can be viewed as a central hub, a gathering place, and a power center containing a lot of potential for members of the FIRST and robotics community.

This is a brief summary of 'Why I like ChiefDelphi'.
Jane