Posted by Ernie Wright at 04/10/2001 11:29 PM EST
Student on team #254, Cheesy Poofs, from Bellarmine College Prep and NASA Ames, Unity Care, Cypress Semiconductor.
Hi,
I just thought I would post my thoughts on this controversial video that has been such a hot topic on this board lately. Now I dont mean to step on any toes here, but why is this video causing such a stir? Now before I get a whole lot of hate mail, I understand that parents with small children do not want their kids viewing such content, and that is totally understandable and I think you would be hard pressed to find someone who would disagree with those parents. But does anyone honestly think that this type of content is anything to new to most kids? I have seen a lot worse on TV, and I am sure most of the kids there have also seen and heard much worse . Doesnt anyone watch Friends? I would contend that Friends has much more sexual content and negative messages than the brief video that we watched ( which was about a guy who is sad about his girlfriend who he suspects he is cheating), yet I dont see a huge uproar, actually Friends is one of the most popular TV shows in the nation last time I checked. For that matter turn on anyone network sitcom and I guarantee not ten minutes will go by without some type of mention or allusion towards something sexual. I mean face the facts, we kids are growing up in a society that subjects children to violence and sexually suggestive content on a daily basis, which brings me to my point: maybe the problem is the way that we all are reacting to the situation. Come on, give us kids a little credit, instead of covering our eyes and ears, why not help us identify and recognize this stuff for what it is, so we will be prepared to deal (and fight) these issues when we are out on our own. Do you really think that we kids will want to go out and do the things we see on TV if our parents talk to us and tell us what these images are all about? Or do you think that we are more likely to go and copy these “forbidden” things if our parents cover our eyes, forcing kids to learn about these things from the media and friends at school (which they will considering even first grades these days are bombarded every day with these images)? This is just my own opinion, like I said before, I dont want to offend anyone by what I am saying, and I respect everyones opinion. Furthermore, I believe that there is something to be said for censorship, I mean you just cant possibly explain some things to young children. But I am just posting my opinion since I havent seen anyone post with a different take on the whole video situation. Anyways, its just my two cents, if anyone wants, you can always e-mail me whether you think i have a point or that my thoughts are just dumb! Now I am going to get off this soap box…
Posted by Erin at 04/11/2001 7:06 AM EST
Other on team #65, Huskie Brigade, from Pontiac Northern High School and GM Powertrain.
In Reply to: Controversial Videos Played During Awards
Posted by Ernie Wright on 04/10/2001 11:29 PM EST:
Now, don’t we constantly hear about someone’s crusade to “censor” all the dirty media out there (i.e.: Tipper Gore)? Don’t we see someone doing it anyway (i.e.: MTV, HBO)? And don’t we hear about debates in Congress dealing with these issues? Don’t we always hear about people who are “lawsuit-happy” and like to create zeal over something otherwise rather pointless (i.e.: A man who stole a bike and then got hit while riding it sues the trucking company as well as the bicycle manufatcurer)? I thought these were only things happening in American society, one that we could escape from through the world of FIRST. Maybe I was mistaken? Please don’t tarnish my little dream world like this. It’s like my own personal heaven, as well as many other people’s. Please just forget about whoever’s mistake the video was, and keep in mind that they are probably adding to the US unemployment rate right now. I agree with Ernie and many other people on this issue… maybe we are just teenagers: college and high school students, but don’t let our differences in opinion regarding to this video become a wall between our lines of communication. It isn’t worth it. Let the dream world live on…
Erin
Posted by Ernie Wright at 04/11/2001 9:40 AM EST
Student on team #254, Cheesy Poofs, from Bellarmine College Prep and NASA Ames, Unity Care, Cypress Semiconductor.
In Reply to: Real life SPILLING OVER into our FIRST dream world
Posted by Erin on 04/11/2001 7:06 AM EST:
erin,
I totally agree with you except for one thing, Fast Cars Rule!!!!!!!!!!!
Ernie
Posted by Kevin Sevcik at 04/11/2001 7:01 PM EST
Other on team #57, Leopards, from BT Washington and the High School for Engineering Professions and Exxon, Kellog Brown & Root, Powell Electrical.
In Reply to: Re: Real life SPILLING OVER into our FIRST dream world
Posted by Mike Hunt on 04/11/2001 6:33 PM EST:
Posted by Ryan Patridge at 04/11/2001 12:01 PM EST
Engineer on team #111, WildStang, from Rolling Meadows / Wheeling HS and Motorola.
In Reply to: Controversial Videos Played During Awards
Posted by Ernie Wright on 04/10/2001 11:29 PM EST:
They should’ve played Bjork’s “All is Full of Love” music video instead. At least it would have been robot-related sexual-content controversy. 
Posted by s_alaniz at 04/11/2001 9:53 PM EST
Other on team #57 from Houston Regional co-ordinator.
In Reply to: Controversial Videos Played During Awards
Posted by Ernie Wright on 04/10/2001 11:29 PM EST:
Ernie,
I think you actually touched on the reason …or at least proof that Dean was correct in distancing FIRST from the videos that were played by mistake. It has to do with what we are willing to put up with and …not to be an alarmist, …but something is seriously wrong. A lot of it has to do with respect, but I will only go into that if you actually want to know my thoughts on why it was important to say something about that video. I can’t answer for Dean, that would be putting words in his mouth, but I think I understand the reason.
Best wishes
Steve