Behavior at the competitions

[Koko Ed]

Originally Posted by Evert Timberg

This goes back to inappropriate conduct during the speeches. I remember back to when I was a rookie and a student on the team I now mentor. I always thought that Dean's speeches were not interesting but I was never disrespectful. Now that I'm older, I find his speeches much more interesting and captivating. I think that part of the problem may be that once students see one person do it they'll do it as well. Once someone gets away with it once, they expect to get away with it all the time.

The team may not take action against the student but the team itself risks being punished for the students idiotic and selfish behavior by other teams who will now not want anything to do with them because they are perceived as endorsing such boorish behavior.
As I have pointed out to students on the team before: alot of students and mentors who came years before them work many endless hours to build the X-Cats reputation up to the level that it is to have it torn down be them because they can't be bothered acting like they have sense.
Any student who really feels like having a real life Facebook status moment and just blurt out the first thing that comes into their mind should just do the right thing and take off the team shirt and withdraw from he team before dragging them down after all the hard work they have already put in. It's the least they can do.

[kstl99]

Originally Posted by Koko Ed

I've seen things in my travels from regional to regional these past couple of years that by far surpasses ignoring Deans speeches (like openly using abusive language towards other teams, team members when the team loses and generally ignoring arena rules - the barrier is there for a reason not to jump over) but the kid barking out " WRAP IT UP!" in Boston would have probably seen his last moments as a member of my team if he pulled that stunt.

I agree. This was for me the only bad moment of an awesome event.

[Grim Tuesday]

Originally Posted by kstl99

I agree. This was for me the only bad moment of an awesome event.

I'm sorry, what happened in Boston?
*slaps self* $@#$@#$@#$@# my curiosity.

[kstl99]

Originally Posted by Grim Tuesday

I'm sorry, what happened in Boston?
*slaps self* $@#$@#$@#$@# my curiosity.

As Dean Kamen was speaking at the end of the event someone yelled "Wrap it up". I just found it very disprespectful towards a man I respect very much. He has earned the right to speak as long as he wants.

[Grim Tuesday]

Why would someone even think of doing that?
I hope they got kicked off their team.

[Libby K]

The horrifying part is, he was making a speech about why FIRST started to give out the Dean's List award, and how we should honor and celebrate the amazing students that FIRST has as a part of our big 'family'.

As a member of the Boston Regional Planning Committee, I am utterly disgusted that one of our special guests at the regional was treated so poorly.

I applaud Dean for how well he handled being so rudely interrupted- I was given the honor of presenting the Imagery Award at Boston in honor of my grandfather, and I probably would have either burst out crying or said something very un-gracious if someone did that to me.

I don't care who it is- Dean, Woodie, the President of the United States, your best friend, or just some hobo off the street- you treat all human beings with respect. That was just plain rude and I'm so sorry that it had to happen at such a wonderful regional.

[kstl99]

I guess that even at a regional there is one in every crowd. Everyone else I met and talked to there was great.I have so many good memories from this past weekend. That will be what I will remember

[Andrew Schreiber]

Originally Posted by Grim Tuesday

Why would someone even think of doing that?
I hope they got kicked off their team.

Because they think FIRST is about the robots. I hope they figure out soon that FIRST is about inspiration and the robots are no more important than the file used to take the edges off them. I hope they have many years in FIRST and can learn what it is really about.

[GGCO]

As someone who takes the FRC extremely seriously, the whole attitude of FIRST being "just another club" also scares me. That attitude will eventually lead to that team's demise if it doesn't get corrected soon.

[delsaner]

Originally Posted by GGCO

As someone who takes the FRC extremely seriously, the whole attitude of FIRST being "just another club" also scares me.

I do agree that FIRST being "just another club" is a grave statement, but not everyone has an interest in robots. Yes, we are supposed to raise awareness of robotics and engineering, but it just doesn't click with some people. I take some FRC very seriously as well, but I respect the fact that some people don't have an interest in engineering, only if they have been previously introduced to engineering.

Getting back on the topic of video games, there are certain times when the power-switch needs to go off. The only times where I would game is during lunch break, on the bus, or in the hotel (when we aren't doing anything significant). About Dean's speeches, I will agree that they are boring at times, but it is disrespectful to be engrossed in a video game more than the speech of the founder. =/

My two pennies.