 | | | | | | |
| |
|
I didn't want to pollute my above post with this unpleasantness, so I'm
separating it here. I closed the above post with quotes from Jake's notes that
were particularly disheartening to me. The icing on the cake, however, was
"I’m working with the one and only Greg Hyland to create a
comic book about the LEGO fans. Something you can use to help
tell the world what being an AFOL is all about."
<upset sarcasm /on>
In his comic, I hope Greg makes sure to include his total lack of respect for
those of us who feel strongly about the color change.
<upset sarcasm /off>
In his posts in the FBTB forums, he not only showed a lack of respect, but went
out of his way to {mock} specific people for their opinions.
For example,
<http://pub180.ezboard.com/fthefbtbcommunityfrm1.showMessage?topicID=4934.topic>
<http://pub180.ezboard.com/fthefbtbcommunityfrm1.showMessage?topicID=4941.topic>
Unfortunately, I cannot find the thread that really set me off (due to EZBoard's
terrible search function).
I debated with myself about posting this, but I feel the community should know
the character/humor of one of our (apparent) mouthpieces.
Greg has done more for the community than I probably ever will, but I was
thoroughly disappointed in him and his trivializing attitude. As a now
semi-official "employee" of LEGO, I thought he would know better. I am not
trying to defame him; I hope he takes this as constructive critism.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
|
In lugnet.events.brickfest, Walter Walters wrote:
> I didn't want to pollute my above post with this unpleasantness, so I'm
> separating it here. I closed the above post with quotes from Jake's notes that
> were particularly disheartening to me. The icing on the cake, however, was
>
> "I’m working with the one and only Greg Hyland to create a
> comic book about the LEGO fans. Something you can use to help
> tell the world what being an AFOL is all about."
>
> <upset sarcasm /on>
> In his comic, I hope Greg makes sure to include his total lack of respect for
> those of us who feel strongly about the color change.
> <upset sarcasm /off>
>
> In his posts in the FBTB forums, he not only showed a lack of respect, but went
> out of his way to {mock} specific people for their opinions.
So it's okay for fans to mock Lego's ideas (focus groups! brighter colours!),
but not okay to mock the mockers (Boo hoo!) ?
> I debated with myself about posting this, but I feel the community should know
> the character/humor of one of our (apparent) mouthpieces.
Should know? *Must* know!. No, they *need* to know! Better yet they have a
*right* to know!
> Greg has done more for the community than I probably ever will, but I was
> thoroughly disappointed in him and his trivializing attitude. As a now
> semi-official "employee" of LEGO, I thought he would know better. I am not
> trying to defame him; I hope he takes this as constructive critism.
Of course not! You're just pointing out that he has a total lack of respect for
people who feel strongly about the colour change, has mocked people for their
ideas and that he has a trivialising attitude...
How could *anyone* take that as *anything* but constructive criticism?
Richie Dulin
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
|
In lugnet.events.brickfest, Richie Dulin wrote:
> In lugnet.events.brickfest, Walter Walters wrote:
> > I didn't want to pollute my above post with this unpleasantness, so I'm
> > separating it here. I closed the above post with quotes from Jake's notes that
> > were particularly disheartening to me. The icing on the cake, however, was
> >
> > "I’m working with the one and only Greg Hyland to create a
> > comic book about the LEGO fans. Something you can use to help
> > tell the world what being an AFOL is all about."
> >
> > <upset sarcasm /on>
> > In his comic, I hope Greg makes sure to include his total lack of respect for
> > those of us who feel strongly about the color change.
> > <upset sarcasm /off>
> >
> > In his posts in the FBTB forums, he not only showed a lack of respect, but went
> > out of his way to {mock} specific people for their opinions.
>
> So it's okay for fans to mock Lego's ideas (focus groups! brighter colours!),
> but not okay to mock the mockers (Boo hoo!) ?
Greg Hyland works for TLC, at least part of the time. It's generally not good
business practice to mock the people that pay your salary. I know we complain
that TLC ignores us AFOLs, but having TLC make fun of us isn't an improvement.
What is your problem, anyway? Why does it offend you that some people are
genuinely upset by the color change? What do you get out of attacking them for
expressing their feelings?
Marc Nelson Jr.
> > I debated with myself about posting this, but I feel the community should know
> > the character/humor of one of our (apparent) mouthpieces.
>
> Should know? *Must* know!. No, they *need* to know! Better yet they have a
> *right* to know!
>
> > Greg has done more for the community than I probably ever will, but I was
> > thoroughly disappointed in him and his trivializing attitude. As a now
> > semi-official "employee" of LEGO, I thought he would know better. I am not
> > trying to defame him; I hope he takes this as constructive critism.
>
> Of course not! You're just pointing out that he has a total lack of respect for
> people who feel strongly about the colour change, has mocked people for their
> ideas and that he has a trivialising attitude...
>
> How could *anyone* take that as *anything* but constructive criticism?
>
>
> Richie Dulin
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| |
|
> > > <upset sarcasm /on>
> > > In his comic, I hope Greg makes sure to include his total lack of respect for
> > > those of us who feel strongly about the color change.
> > > <upset sarcasm /off>
> > >
> > > In his posts in the FBTB forums, he not only showed a lack of respect, but went
> > > out of his way to {mock} specific people for their opinions.
> >
> > So it's okay for fans to mock Lego's ideas (focus groups! brighter colours!),
> > but not okay to mock the mockers (Boo hoo!) ?
>
> Greg Hyland works for TLC, at least part of the time. It's generally not good
> business practice to mock the people that pay your salary. I know we complain
> that TLC ignores us AFOLs, but having TLC make fun of us isn't an improvement.
>
> What is your problem, anyway? Why does it offend you that some people are
> genuinely upset by the color change? What do you get out of attacking them for
> expressing their feelings?
>
> Marc Nelson Jr.
>
> > > I debated with myself about posting this, but I feel the community should know
> > > the character/humor of one of our (apparent) mouthpieces.
> >
> > Should know? *Must* know!. No, they *need* to know! Better yet they have a
> > *right* to know!
> >
> > > Greg has done more for the community than I probably ever will, but I was
> > > thoroughly disappointed in him and his trivializing attitude. As a now
> > > semi-official "employee" of LEGO, I thought he would know better. I am not
> > > trying to defame him; I hope he takes this as constructive critism.
> >
> > Of course not! You're just pointing out that he has a total lack of respect for
> > people who feel strongly about the colour change, has mocked people for their
> > ideas and that he has a trivialising attitude...
> >
> > How could *anyone* take that as *anything* but constructive criticism?
> >
> >
> > Richie Dulin
As someone who has met with Greg on more than one occasion,
that some of this is crazy. I don't really care with what Greg does on
his on-line posts and stuff, but as someone who does some great stuff and
is a very cool guy in person....
... I find it very insulting that you would try to drag him into the whole
color issue.
Just posting my opinion on this matter.
Thanks, Ben M.
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| |
|
In lugnet.events.brickfest, Benjamin Medinets wrote:
> > > > <upset sarcasm /on>
> > > > In his comic, I hope Greg makes sure to include his total lack of respect for
> > > > those of us who feel strongly about the color change.
> > > > <upset sarcasm /off>
> > > >
> > > > In his posts in the FBTB forums, he not only showed a lack of respect, but went
> > > > out of his way to {mock} specific people for their opinions.
> > >
> > > So it's okay for fans to mock Lego's ideas (focus groups! brighter colours!),
> > > but not okay to mock the mockers (Boo hoo!) ?
> >
> > Greg Hyland works for TLC, at least part of the time. It's generally not good
> > business practice to mock the people that pay your salary. I know we complain
> > that TLC ignores us AFOLs, but having TLC make fun of us isn't an improvement.
> >
> > What is your problem, anyway? Why does it offend you that some people are
> > genuinely upset by the color change? What do you get out of attacking them for
> > expressing their feelings?
> >
> > Marc Nelson Jr.
> >
> > > > I debated with myself about posting this, but I feel the community should know
> > > > the character/humor of one of our (apparent) mouthpieces.
> > >
> > > Should know? *Must* know!. No, they *need* to know! Better yet they have a
> > > *right* to know!
> > >
> > > > Greg has done more for the community than I probably ever will, but I was
> > > > thoroughly disappointed in him and his trivializing attitude. As a now
> > > > semi-official "employee" of LEGO, I thought he would know better. I am not
> > > > trying to defame him; I hope he takes this as constructive critism.
> > >
> > > Of course not! You're just pointing out that he has a total lack of respect for
> > > people who feel strongly about the colour change, has mocked people for their
> > > ideas and that he has a trivialising attitude...
> > >
> > > How could *anyone* take that as *anything* but constructive criticism?
> > >
> > >
> > > Richie Dulin
>
> As someone who has met with Greg on more than one occasion,
> that some of this is crazy. I don't really care with what Greg does on
> his on-line posts and stuff, but as someone who does some great stuff and
> is a very cool guy in person....
>
> ... I find it very insulting that you would try to drag him into the whole
> color issue.
>
> Just posting my opinion on this matter.
>
> Thanks, Ben M.
I have also talked to Greg in person (at last year's Brickfest), and he seemed
like a swell guy. He was very humble about his outstanding artwork, and was kind
of amused when I suggested that he was undercharging for it. But I find his
comments about people who are upset about the color change to be insensitive.
The second part of my post was a response to the poster, and not directed at
Greg Hyland.
Marc Nelson Jr.
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In lugnet.events.brickfest, Marc Nelson, Jr. wrote:
> In lugnet.events.brickfest, Richie Dulin wrote:
> > So it's okay for fans to mock Lego's ideas (focus groups! brighter colours!),
> > but not okay to mock the mockers (Boo hoo!) ?
>
> Greg Hyland works for TLC, at least part of the time. It's generally not good
> business practice to mock the people that pay your salary. I know we complain
> that TLC ignores us AFOLs, but having TLC make fun of us isn't an improvement.
>
> What is your problem, anyway? Why does it offend you that some people are
> genuinely upset by the color change?
It doesn't offend me. I find it bizarre and hilarious. No offense at all.
> What do you get out of attacking them for expressing their feelings?
Are you now attacking me for expressing my feelings?
What do you get out of attacking Lego for expressing their feelings that the new
greys are better than the old greys?
Richie Dulin
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.events.brickfest, Marc Nelson, Jr. wrote:
> I know we complain
> that TLC ignores us AFOLs, but having TLC make fun of us isn't an
> improvement.
To be 100% clear, the comic that Greg and I created was positive, humourous, and
informative. We didn't make fun of the AFOLs at all. I'd be happy to email you a
copy for your review if you like.
Jake
---
Jake McKee
Community Liaison
LEGO Community
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Jake McKee wrote:
> In lugnet.events.brickfest, Marc Nelson, Jr. wrote:
> > I know we complain
> > that TLC ignores us AFOLs, but having TLC make fun of us isn't an
> > improvement.
> To be 100% clear, the comic that Greg and I created was positive, humourous, and
> informative. We didn't make fun of the AFOLs at all. I'd be happy to email you a
> copy for your review if you like.
Hi, Jake,
how about making the comic public so we all can see what kind of image
of us you are spreading? This would be the easiest way to squelch
rumours about "Lego making fun of us".
Yours, Christian
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| |
|
In lugnet.events.brickfest, Christian Treczoks wrote:
> Hi, Jake,
>
> how about making the comic public so we all can see what kind of image
> of us you are spreading? This would be the easiest way to squelch
> rumours about "Lego making fun of us".
Uh, I'll field this question!
That's exactly what we're planning to do.
I'm sure we'll have it ready for BrickFest. The comics were done orignally for a
presentation to illustrate a cross-section of what LEGO fans do for the folks at
LEGO in Denmark. Jake thought comics would illustrate the points better than any
sort of written or verbal presentation. If something is funny, but makes a
point, that point will be remembered longer. With it, we hit points about what
Mindstorms clubs are like, that games like BrikWarz exist, that people often
know more about upcoming prduct than store employees, loyalty to certain lines
like Space or Castle, what events like BrickFest are like, that on-line
communities like Lugnet and fbtb.net exist, that people organize projects like
the Moonbase project, why you shoulnd't say "legos" and why the colour change
issue is important. Anywayze, LEGO appearantly liked it so much that they want
it to be printed up as a free giveaway booklet, just like Jake mentioned in his
speach.
We have nothing to hide. The comic wasn't a secret in-club "ha-ha look at our
stupid customers" trick. I wouldn't want to be part of that. I love LEGO, and I
share many of the traits that my comic humorously points out. I think that's why
Jake wanted me to write thse strips... I'm a fan and part of the community. I
understand more than an outsider looking in.
I just re-read over the three strips I did about the colour change. I don't thnk
any of them are mean or make fun of the character who is conserend about the
problem. I made the dialogue to ILLUSTRATE the conserns and problems.
Panel 3
Character 1: Didn't you hear? They modified the colour of the grey bricks
Character 2: What?! They can't do that! After all the bricks I already
collected? My castle won't have consistant colour!
Panel 4:
Character 2: At least the part of the castle I'm doing all in brown will be
okay...
Character 1: Uhhh.. You may want to hold off on that part, too...
In another strip:
Panel 1
Character 2: I find this whole "new grey" issue annoying.
Panel 2
Character 2: It means it's going to be harder for me to collect the bricks I
need in the colours I need for my creations. I'll end up buying less LEGO sets
from stores or their website, and buying more from the secondary market, where I
might have to pay inflated prices.
Panel 3
Character 2: But at least one positive thing has come from all this...
Character 1: Oh yeah? What's that?
Panel 4
Character 2: It's finally an issue that has united he Castle people and the
Space people!
In that last strip, I think I most of the major points accross, and I ended it
in a funny punchline.
I think with the strips I found a way to laugh a little at ourselves without
being mean. When submitting the scripts to Jake, on almost all of them I added a
note "this strip is based on an actual experience that happend to me" and I know
I said at least once that this project is closest I'll ever get to doing an
autobiographical comic (except I'm not bald, like the main character). I'd like
people to read the comics, laugh and say "oh my god! That's SO me!"
Now on a seperate issue, what are MY own thoughts on the colour change? I 100%
understand the problem. It's annoying. However, I felt people over reacted on
fbtb, so I pointed that out. I think most peole know I really like mini-figures,
and I think most of know that the skin-tone is changing for licenced figure this
year. My favorite lines are Star Wars, Harry Potter and Spider-Man. The
mini-figure skin colour change annoys me. I wish it wan't happening. However,
I'm not annoyed enough, and can't relate to geting annoyed enough, to making
complaint calls to LEGO or leaving the hobby. I think doing that is kind of
extreme and, well, funny.
Anywayze, I hope you all get a chance to read ALL the comics and let me know
what you think.
-Greg Hyland
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.events.brickfest, Greg Hyland wrote:
> In lugnet.events.brickfest, Christian Treczoks wrote:
>
> > how about making the comic public so we all can see what kind of image
> > of us you are spreading?
>
> That's exactly what we're planning to do.
>
> I'm sure we'll have it ready for BrickFest. • ...
> Panel 4
> Character 2: It's finally an issue that has united he Castle people and the
> Space people! • ...
> Anywayze, I hope you all get a chance to read ALL the comics and let me know
> what you think.
Greg,
I'm looking forward to seeing the comic. I'm not into Castle or Space, nor am I
bothered by the color change, but I still find your examples funny.
I can't wait to see more,
Steve
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
In lugnet.events.brickfest, Greg Hyland wrote:
| |
In lugnet.events.brickfest, Christian Treczoks wrote:
| |
Hi, Jake,
how about making the comic public so we all can see what kind of image
of us you are spreading? This would be the easiest way to squelch
rumours about “Lego making fun of us”.
|
Uh, I’ll field this question!
That’s exactly what we’re planning to do.
I’m sure we’ll have it ready for BrickFest. The comics were done orignally for
a presentation to illustrate a cross-section of what LEGO fans do for the
folks at LEGO in Denmark. Jake thought comics would illustrate the points
better than any sort of written or verbal presentation. If something is funny,
but makes a point, that point will be remembered longer. With it, we hit
points about what Mindstorms clubs are like, that games like BrikWarz exist,
that people often know more about upcoming prduct than store employees,
loyalty to certain lines like Space or Castle, what events like BrickFest are
like, that on-line communities like Lugnet and fbtb.net exist, that people
organize projects like the Moonbase project, why you shoulnd’t say “legos” and
why the colour change issue is important. Anywayze, LEGO appearantly liked it
so much that they want it to be printed up as a free giveaway booklet, just
like Jake mentioned in his speach.
We have nothing to hide. The comic wasn’t a secret in-club “ha-ha look at our
stupid customers” trick. I wouldn’t want to be part of that. I love LEGO, and
I share many of the traits that my comic humorously points out. I think that’s
why Jake wanted me to write thse strips... I’m a fan and part of the
community. I understand more than an outsider looking in.
I just re-read over the three strips I did about the colour change. I don’t
thnk any of them are mean or make fun of the character who is conserend about
the problem. I made the dialogue to ILLUSTRATE the conserns and problems.
Panel 3
Character 1: Didn’t you hear? They modified the colour of the grey bricks
Character 2: What?! They can’t do that! After all the bricks I already
collected? My castle won’t have consistant colour!
Panel 4:
Character 2: At least the part of the castle I’m doing all in brown will be
okay...
Character 1: Uhhh.. You may want to hold off on that part, too...
In another strip:
Panel 1
Character 2: I find this whole “new grey” issue annoying.
Panel 2
Character 2: It means it’s going to be harder for me to collect the bricks I
need in the colours I need for my creations. I’ll end up buying less LEGO sets
from stores or their website, and buying more from the secondary market, where
I might have to pay inflated prices.
Panel 3
Character 2: But at least one positive thing has come from all this...
Character 1: Oh yeah? What’s that?
Panel 4
Character 2: It’s finally an issue that has united he Castle people and the
Space people!
In that last strip, I think I most of the major points accross, and I ended it
in a funny punchline.
I think with the strips I found a way to laugh a little at ourselves without
being mean. When submitting the scripts to Jake, on almost all of them I added
a note “this strip is based on an actual experience that happend to me” and I
know I said at least once that this project is closest I’ll ever get to doing
an autobiographical comic (except I’m not bald, like the main character). I’d
like people to read the comics, laugh and say “oh my god! That’s SO me!”
Now on a seperate issue, what are MY own thoughts on the colour change? I 100%
understand the problem. It’s annoying. However, I felt people over reacted on
fbtb, so I pointed that out. I think most peole know I really like
mini-figures, and I think most of know that the skin-tone is changing for
licenced figure this year. My favorite lines are Star Wars, Harry Potter and
Spider-Man. The mini-figure skin colour change annoys me. I wish it wan’t
happening. However, I’m not annoyed enough, and can’t relate to geting annoyed
enough, to making complaint calls to LEGO or leaving the hobby. I think doing
that is kind of extreme and, well, funny.
Anywayze, I hope you all get a chance to read ALL the comics and let me know
what you think.
-Greg Hyland
|
Thanks for giving us the details of the comic. You did a great job of getting
across our frustrations across to TLC employees.
Based on your comments on FBTB, I was afraid you were going to make a less
sympathetic portrayal of AFOLs and their reaction to the color change. Thanks
for your great work, and thanks for addressing my concerns in a civil fashion
(much more civil than some of your
fellow Canadians). I am
sorry if you were upset by my post, and I look forward to seeing you and your
work at Brickfest.
Marc Nelson Jr.
| | | | | | |
