F stand for Fame in FIRST?

[EddieMcD]

Just to toss my $0.02 in, one of the things I happen to like about the Chief Delphi community is that at every competition I go to, someone recognises me and comes over to say hi (must be the long, green hair ). I meet someone new, they meet someone new, and it's win/win. Also, if I find someone I recognise, I'll go over and introduce myself. It's one of, IMO, the greatest aspects of FIRST. And I'm sure I'm not the only one who meets new people in this manner.

[Greg Needel]

i honestly think that being famous in FIRST is honestly pointless....i mean it is nice to get reconized for the time you have put in but in all honesty that is not the case. When looking at people like Dave, Andy, Dean, etc. i can automaticly in my head know exactly what they contributed on a national level for FIRST but other "stars" of chiefdelphi i couldn't tell you for the life of me what they did for first except post alot. FIRST fame in it's present form is just a popularity contest as to who has been around for the longest and who knows the most people.

[Astronouth7303]

And coming up with really witty stuff!

[Joe Matt]

Fame is a funny thing, you can do nothing and get it, and do everything and get none. For me, it's not fame, but infamy that follows me.

[Erin Rapacki]

I think the word 'fame' is being misunderstood...

-when one posts a lot on ChiefDelphi and is therefore well known, it's not necessarily fame because people don't have much to say about you
-when one gains a lot of respect through what they post on ChiefDelphi, and they post enough to be remembered by fellow forum members... one is a little closer to fame
-one is famous when they are known for being a good ROLE MODEL by the people who post, and do not post on ChiefDelphi

If one does gain 'fame' through FIRST, it should be used as a networking tool in hopes to leap-frog one's career path. Remember, part of the point of FIRST is to create strong leaders & thinkers who could positively influence the world's technological market.

[Adam Y.]

Errr yeah..... My friend Noah said he talked to someone that knew me from Chiefdelphi. That's just creepy.

[Billfred]

Originally Posted by Erin Rapacki

-one is famous when they are known for being a good ROLE MODEL by the people who post, and do not post on ChiefDelphi

Not to nit-pick, but wouldn't it be "and do not necessarily post on CD?" I mean, there are some darn good role models out here and all who definitely are famous, yet post frequently. Then there's those who are famous and don't post on CD.

Although couldn't it be argued that those who would otherwise be famous and post on CD are yielding a better benefit for the FIRST community at large? I mean, if this is one of the larger FIRST hubs online, it seems that their resources would be spent well here. (I won't say spent better here, since there is a possibility that folks could better spend their resources elsewhere. I guess that depends on the person.)

(disclaimer: all of my words are highly seasoned, in the event I have to eat them.)

[Andy A.]

Fame? You think its bad being famous...

Between Andy B. and Andy G. being Andy A. has some unspoken expectations put on it.

Seriously folks, living up to the Andy lastinitialhere. name thing is a little rough at times. I find my self lying awake at night trying to think of ways to make the Andy's who have come before me proud.

It's a hard knock life, being an Andy in this world.

-Andy A.

[Melissa Nute]

Maybe I"m just weird...but I know I would be kinda creeped out if I was one of the "famous" FIRST people. Why? Because no one is any different than anyone else in my eyes. Granted, some people stand out more, but that is because the other people might not have gotten a chance yet to shine. I mean, I rather just have a few close friendships with people from other team than have people just talk to me about stuff they know I've done. When you become "famous", some people view you as different and better; honestly, they should be treated as you would treat anyone else.

[Mike Ciance]

Originally Posted by Meli W.

Maybe I"m just weird...but I know I would be kinda creeped out if I was one of the "famous" FIRST people. Why? Because no one is any different than anyone else in my eyes. Granted, some people stand out more, but that is because the other people might not have gotten a chance yet to shine. I mean, I rather just have a few close friendships with people from other team than have people just talk to me about stuff they know I've done. When you become "famous", some people view you as different and better; honestly, they should be treated as you would treat anyone else.

i think it is possible to be famous and still have many close friendships. what you need to do is stress the fact that, while you may be famous, you don't consider yourself better than anybody else.

i do agree, though, that many people have the potential to be famous, but just havent landed in the right set of circumstances yet.

[Andy Grady]

Originally Posted by Andy A.

Fame? You think its bad being famous...

Between Andy B. and Andy G. being Andy A. has some unspoken expectations put on it.

Seriously folks, living up to the Andy lastinitialhere. name thing is a little rough at times. I find my self lying awake at night trying to think of ways to make the Andy's who have come before me proud.

It's a hard knock life, being an Andy in this world.

-Andy A.

Keep in mind, there are two Andy B's. Baker and Brockway. So that makes four of us goofy Andy's!

I don't know if I'd call it fame, but instead the more colorful personalities in FIRST being thrust into the spotlight because they are easy to remember. Take Baker for instance...who else in this world would chase a pig, drag it by its tail, and post it up for hundreds of people to see! Eventually, its that same thing which keeps them in our mind, and keeps us inspired.

[Ryan Dognaux]

My original purpose of joining these forums was to meet new people on other teams, and I think it has worked pretty well. I've also had a few people come up to me and ask "Hey aren't you Ryan... Doan... Doan.... that Ryan guy from chiefdelphi?" I just think it's pretty cool when some random person comes up to you and knows your face or name. I don't know about being "famous" with this community, that might be a little weird, but I could handle being known.

[Chris Hibner]

Ken,

This is a great thread on an interesting topic. I haven't tought anything about this until you brought it up, but since you mentioned it, it seems like part of Dean Kamen's vision is becoming a reality. In his old speeches he used to say that a goal of FIRST is to make people think of scientists and engineers in the same way that they think of pop stars and professional athletes. The fact that this thread exists shows that the change is afoot.

-Chris

[Jessica Boucher]

On this same point of discussion, sometimes I wonder what the FIRST-famous are like from the outside....when you take out the FIRST from the person. For example, to you and I, Baker's about as famous as you can get without being on staff....but what's he like at Delphi? What's JVN like at Clarkson minus the robot?

I think its interesting that people at these places could see these people every day...and have no idea that they're a hero of FIRST. It's saddening, really...it shows how far we still have to go...but as Chris said, just having the famous exist means we're well on our way.

[Ken Leung]

Originally Posted by Chris Hibner

Ken,

This is a great thread on an interesting topic. I haven't tought anything about this until you brought it up, but since you mentioned it, it seems like part of Dean Kamen's vision is becoming a reality. In his old speeches he used to say that a goal of FIRST is to make people think of scientists and engineers in the same way that they think of pop stars and professional athletes. The fact that this thread exists shows that the change is afoot.

-Chris

Changes are happening through out the FIRST community, we can't deny that. My only concern is, are the people ready to become these "Heroes" Dean intended for all high school students to have?

People like Andy B., Dave Lavery, and JVN seems to grab people's attention whereever they go, whenever they said something even when it mean little to them (well, that's how I imagine it anyway). To be under thousands of watchful eyes everytime you show up at a competition is not something I desire at a FIRST competition, or life in general. I can only imagine the pressure they experience to be public figures. Then again, since I am not them, I would never know completely how they feel.

Actually, I don't mean to be negative about the subject. I tend to think of the worst case scenarior on just about everything. I actually think it can be fun to be well known by lots of people at a robotics competition. Its like you did some work ahead of time when you meet new people, because they know about you already. Now all you have to do is to find out about other people.

I think the important thing is that you really do have to work hard to get to meet people and get to know who they are. It goes for both way on this interesting relationship between someone famous and their admirers. Just because you are famous doesn't mean you should stand there and let people talk to you. And just because you admire someone, doesn't mean they are necessary better than you.

I suppose I really should follow my own advice. In the past few years I've hide behind my name on the Chief Delphi Forum, and didn't pay attention to the people who really deserve them. I guess its part of my anti-social personality and fear of meeting new people, hopefully that will change as I learn more and more about growing up.

Not sure why I started the thread at the beginning, but I am enjoying the thinking whenever I read or reply to a post in here. This is kinda fun!