Came home for a visit ...

[meaubry]

So, this weekend I decided to take a trip “back home”. I’m sure everyone has done that some time in their lives, or will (if you haven’t yet).
You see, a very long time ago - the team I was part of for 14 years (Team 47 Chief Delphi) created this wonderful website. In 1997 / 1998 time frame, we decided the collective community of FIRST would really enjoy the opportunity to share ideas, discuss robotics, learn all kinds of interesting things from each other – you know what I mean?

In the beginning, the rules were pretty loose. Don’t say anything mean, or hurtful. Try not upsetting each other by making false accusations. No cursing. No discussions or suggestions about hacking. We liked the concept Dr. Woody Flowers speaks of, when he says that thing about “making your Grandmother proud”.

I gotta tell you though, when I went back home for a visit, I was little disappointed in what I read.
Seems like there are a lot of people that would rather tear down each other, and find things that are wrong – rather than discuss what is good. Since when is finger pointing, making accusations, and questioning anyone’s motives and integrity - something that FIRST is about? Since when has it gotten so easy to find fault with each other?

Too bad – those folks are really missing out on a wonderful opportunity to meet as a community and inspire each other.
All this time, I thought the program was supposed to be about inspiration and recognition.
But, then again – what do I know?

I hope the next time I get a chance to “come home”, the guests of the community are more like what we had expected they would be when we opened our arms, and welcomed them in.

Retired Team 47 member,
Mike Aubry