07-11-2007 18:53

Schnabel

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

This post is BEAST! Wow Libby, I think only you could get away with telling him to just shut up!

07-11-2007 21:27

Koko Ed

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

No Segway for Christmas from Uncle Dean for you young lady!

07-11-2007 21:36

DonRotolo

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

Yeah, who else could get away with that?

07-11-2007 22:14

Tetraman

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

Well...

I hate to be odd, but I like Dean's speeches. He has gotten getter over the years. I remember First Frenzy year at atlanta when he did his 30 minute speech on outsourcing...geez I was sitting there thinking how great it would be still something outsourced speeches...

But in truth, I think we could use Dean Speeches...just...make sure he goes over it with Woodie and Dave first....and maybe Libby...just to be sure my friends won't sleep.

07-11-2007 22:18

JaneYoung

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

I don't mind being odd...I like to - listen - to Dean Kamen's speeches.
They make sense.

I don't get to listen to a lot of sense in the world, just a lot of noise.

07-11-2007 22:23

Billfred

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

Dean's parents? I doubt they would--when I met them, they didn't seem the type--but parents always reserve the right to tell their offspring to hush.

07-11-2007 22:37

Libby K

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

Don't get me wrong-- I love listening to my uncle. He makes a lot of sense. What he's got to say is really important...but at the same time, could he not make the point in a littttlllee bit less time? I've been listening to those speeches since before I can remember, and every year until I was about 9...i'd fall asleep, wake up, and he'd STILL be talking!

He's gotten a lot better though.

I really hope he doesn't kill me for this...

07-11-2007 23:00

jee7s

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

I think Senator John Warner puts it best:

"Blessed are ye who are brief, for ye shall be re-invited"

(He said that at the 2004 University of Virginia Final Exercises and when he announced his retirement.)

Of course, Dean can invite himself, but the point remains. 10 minutes of to-the-point "punching" commentary will be far better remembered than a half hour of rhetoric.

08-11-2007 21:03

KarenH

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

Assuming I remember my history with any accuracy...

Championship, Atlanta, 2005-- The "wrap" party (or whatever they called it) was delayed over an hour because the speeches went so long during finals. I shall not name the celebrity with his notes on yellow paper who claimed he was just about finished...

Championship, Atlanta, 2006-- Because of the previous year's speeches, I decided to fight boredom by timing each speech. Dean didn't go over 5 minutes! In fact, no speech during the Saturday afternoon finals was very long. But there were so MANY speeches...they still went over an hour too long!

08-11-2007 21:22

GVDrummer

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

now his speeches would be sweet if he did it in like charades . or acted his motivation speeches out with puppets..... just an idea.

08-11-2007 22:27

Barry Bonzack

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

I have a feeling the strategy to this thread is making a short and to the point post. I'll do my best.

How many times in your life do you get the opportunity to hear a modern Thomas Edison give a speech? What is FIRST Really about? Sure "gracious professionalism" but if you are asked to define that on the spot, can you give a quick answer without saying "uh"? If you are asked to justify why a company should pour tens of thousands of dollars into FIRST, can you give a convincing argument?

One should take every opportunity he or she can to learn from others more knowledgeable than oneself. No one here will disagree with the fact that Dean is brilliant, has invented wondrous things, has changed each of our lives in some fashion, and is making strides to change the world. Yet, many can't stand sitting through and hearing the voice of inspiration. I've had one experience at a remote kickoff where a mentor pretended to snore loudly during a speech to get the students to laugh, and have never understood this mentality.

Yes, we are eager to find out about the new game, the new kit of parts, and get on to building the robot. Yes we are eager to find out if our hard work has paid off and we are going to be recognized with an award. Slow down, and listen, there is truly nothing better you could be doing for the rest of the day. Who knows, you may even become inspired.

09-11-2007 00:52

Cory

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

It's hard to listen if the speech puts you to sleep.

Dean has gotten a lot better lately. In 2005, during the speech Karen mentioned, I was fieldside as a volunteer. I couldn't stay awake to save my life.

You can be the most brilliant person in the world, but you'll never be effective at getting your message across if you can't keep your audience interested in what you have to say.

09-11-2007 01:00

JamesBrown

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

I think that the length of Dean's speeches may be magnified by when they happen. Usually when we are anticipating something i.e. kick off or the beginning of a regional or when we are physically exhausted i.e. championships and regional award ceremonies. However I do agree what Dean has to say is usually very interesting and insightful there are better speakers than him.

09-11-2007 01:37

Pavan Dave

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

I like the speeches that Dave and Woodie, that contain stories of work/students and have some actual basis as opposed to "look at this cool arm thing I made, you should become an engineer now!"... I actually did read The World is Flat [as suggested by the three during kickoff I think], and it was good, but I hope his speech is different at kickoff than last year. It seems he gives the same one at every regional too for the most part.

10-11-2007 18:00

Libby K

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

I believe that the "cool arm thing" is part of that actual basis. As far as I've apprehended so far, the point of FIRST is to show students that science and technology is really cool, and something they should look into instead of the NBA or Hollywood?

Not only is the arm REALLY REALLY cool, but it's helping people. I'm going to have to say those are two reasons I want to be an engineer.

That may just be me, though.


Side Note:
I didn't post this picture to seem like I was bashing my own uncle, and I certainly wasn't expecting other people to jump on the bandwagon. It was meant simply to poke fun. I've listened to his speeches since I was tiny (even though I may have fallen asleep in some...), and for the past few years I've actually started to understand that he's actually making a point. I happen to love what he has to say, but I have gotten so many people telling me to "Ask him to shut up, please!" (Also, usually kidding), that I figured I'd post this as a joke. Please take it as one. Lighten up, guys!

11-11-2007 08:15

zakk

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

[quote=Libby K;650916]I believe that the "cool arm thing" is part of that actual basis. As far as I've apprehended so far, the point of FIRST is to show students that science and technology is really cool, and something they should look into instead of the NBA or Hollywood?

Not only is the arm REALLY REALLY cool, but it's helping people. I'm going to have to say those are two reasons I want to be an engineer.

That may just be me, though.[quote=Libby K;650916]






yeah, youre not alone in that libby, i see more future in doing stuff like what your uncle is doing than in things like the NFL or whatever, i would rather be forced to use my mind to accomplish something than just to look pretty or play a sport. And i find Dean's speeches inspiring, to prove to me that i can do it, and that it is possible for me to do big things like how he has with the insulin pump, FIRST, the segway and now the robotics prosthetic arm. so guys, dont bash Dean, he's a good guy who means well, and without him none of this would be possible.

11-11-2007 08:38

mtaman02

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

Don't worry Lib, I got the joke =). I thought it was cute. I also do think he needs to shorten the speech just a tad =). At least when Dave and Woodie do it they make it fun =p. But don't worry Dean we still love you and if Dave should accidentally show you this picture don't kill your neice =).

11-11-2007 15:37

DonRotolo

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

Don't get me wrong - I also like the content of his speeches, they are quite good. We all just have to remember that his traget audience varies from the feeble-minded (like legislators) to 8th graders and up to, well, old folks like me... so he has to make his points crystal clear.

I am sure he would be just fascinating to argue (in the kind, educational, debate sense) with for a few hours.

Don

11-11-2007 16:07

Tottanka

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

I really like Dave's speeches.
Dean's are also very good, but i'm saying it as someone who alsawys watches it on a webcast . on the other hnd i usually watch it in around 2 am, while u guys see it on more normal times. That might stabalize the equation.

Anyhow, this year's Dean's speech in Atlanta was good. It wasn't what any of us had expected. He showed us all new aspects of robotics, and i really do hope that some of them will be seen in 2008 game.

12-11-2007 21:33

Graham Donaldson

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

I wouldn't call yourself old, Don...rather, you are "gettin' on in years..."-

But, seriously, I think we all have to remember the spirit in which the picture was posted. Libby's probably one of the few people in FIRST who could do that and get away with it. Let's just remember to take it at face value- a joke; a spoof; some "good-natured ribbing", if you want.

Teenagers (as most of us are) have relatively short attention spans, not to mention (as has been mentioned earlier) the situation Dean's speeches are being given in. We want to get to the fun stuff. I would wager that if one of the people who think Dean's speeches are too long sat down and watched a video of one when that person had nothing else to do and actually wanted to watch/listen to one would a. not find them to be that long, b. find them to be insightful and intelligent, and c. be impressed that a guy who always wears denim can actually give such a good speech! (Ok, that was my knock for the day- remember to take it at face value, guys).

16-11-2007 08:38

robostangs548

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

I do agree, sometimes the speeches are a little long, but they are really inspirational, and I think they mean very well... Don't forget there are new students joining and leaving the team every year, they just want to get the word out to them, give the new kids a little inspiration.

16-11-2007 11:10

Taylor

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

I believe the man is intelligent enough to realize his audience. When he appeared on the Colbert Report, what he had to say was very simplified. When addressing FIRST, he realizes the audience is more ... mentally capable and can more freely express his true thoughts without fear of talking over people's heads.
Take his long speeches as a compliment to our collective intelligence.

05-01-2008 10:43

whytheheckme

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

*bump*

10-01-2010 18:03

PAR_WIG1350

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

At kick-off this year, it wasn't the speeches that annoyed me but rather the seats <they were very uncomfortable>

10-01-2010 18:48

DiehardCybercard

Re: pic: A little reminder for Dean...

You can call me odd, but that is okay. Normally I have a short attention span, but the speech from Dean this year.... really got me. I found my self unable to look away from the screen. There is a lot of wisdom behind his words. I enjoy listening to his speeches and I am glad that he started what we call FIRST