tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post6984039423079506798..comments2024-03-27T08:37:54.894+00:00Comments on New Elementary: LEGO® parts, sets and techniques: Yes, We Have No BananasAdminhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05188856208086872634noreply@blogger.comBlogger44125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-32263496246776322982015-08-29T12:07:40.838+01:002015-08-29T12:07:40.838+01:00I read it and I'm 12.I read it and I'm 12.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-27121919808878234332015-03-14T14:34:18.524+00:002015-03-14T14:34:18.524+00:00Come on, that's not nice.Come on, that's not nice.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-25165540327381467142015-03-10T15:29:07.673+00:002015-03-10T15:29:07.673+00:00This is one of the best set reviews I have ever re...This is one of the best set reviews I have ever read ! - I have known Pete practically my entire life, and he is a big hearted lump, with a dark sense of humour. <br /><br />Somebody will always be offended, that's what makes us different !<br /><br />People being kept in poverty makes me feel sick to the stomach, not tongue in cheek LEGO set reviews.<br /><br />Lets face it, this is a pretty poor set - the only highlights are the trans pieces ! - and I want a Truck Driver HBO series NOW !!! :)Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-16669063557130307922015-03-10T15:23:49.359+00:002015-03-10T15:23:49.359+00:00I think it is a fantastic review and extremely fun...I think it is a fantastic review and extremely funny, we are all laughing away here in the office. Knowing Pete personally as I do I can confirm that this is entirely tongue in cheek, even the comment about all children being idiots. People are free to voice their view that they are offended, but some perspective is needed - did this truly make you 'sick to you stomach'? People being beheaded, people spouting hatred, insane levels of greed - these sort of things make me sick to the stomach, not a bit of tongue-in-cheek banter about a children's toy. To be clear, the review is not offensive in and of itself, offense can only be taken not given, i.e. if you choose to find it offensive then it is. Given that there are far too many sickly sweet and unhelpful set reviews out there perhaps a check against this every now and again is no bad thing. So I guess the message is, please adopt a more balanced perspective about these things.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-82816149317415092452015-02-16T09:16:27.721+00:002015-02-16T09:16:27.721+00:00Lol. I agree, this isn't something to get offe...Lol. I agree, this isn't something to get offended about, it's just funny. I laughed so much at the truck driver profile.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-23130925919662512582015-01-28T16:21:37.110+00:002015-01-28T16:21:37.110+00:00Liked the humour (that's humour, with an '...Liked the humour (that's humour, with an 'o' in it) but would have liked a little more discussion of the set. But comments saying the review made you 'sick to your stomach' is a bit dramatic isn't it though?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-66789537538830390392015-01-27T15:03:04.111+00:002015-01-27T15:03:04.111+00:00I'm not sure what I enjoyed more, the review o...I'm not sure what I enjoyed more, the review or the comments! Everyone is entitled to their views; mine is there should be fewer figs and more bricks in sets.Tim Goddardnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-23340136115864257392015-01-27T01:13:03.354+00:002015-01-27T01:13:03.354+00:00For what it's worth, I enjoyed the lighthearte...For what it's worth, I enjoyed the lighthearted nature of the review. It was something different. It's not often I chuckle while reading a New E article. Thanks Pete!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-75227205902768915392015-01-25T14:11:10.354+00:002015-01-25T14:11:10.354+00:00I think this was the funniest review I have ever r...I think this was the funniest review I have ever read. I don't like reviews of sets really (I rarely like sets as a MOC builder) but this made me laugh out loud, it could be taken as slightly offensive, but only if you take it at that angle. I have known Pete for a few years now and he is a really nice guy. I was surprised that this was his review. Surprised and impressed. I don't think it's very appropriate to personally insult him here. If you don't like the review then post a comment about the review. Not about the reviewer. <br /><br /><br />I was recently asked if I would do a review of a set for a blog. I turned it down as I didn't think I would be able to be objective, I now regret this as I think humour in reviews is FUN, and if I get the chance again I will jump at it. <br /><br />I have always held this site with high regard and Tim is a fantastic blogger. His decision to publish this article should be applauded. I loved it and I would read more of the same. Iainy73https://www.blogger.com/profile/11511865694815456687noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-69489875111384748982015-01-24T20:04:56.875+00:002015-01-24T20:04:56.875+00:00Good review, very "Look Around You"-esqu...Good review, very "Look Around You"-esque. I'm surprised no one's commented on the Bluth Banana logo likeness on the truck driver.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-11764378202595615012015-01-24T13:03:54.901+00:002015-01-24T13:03:54.901+00:00Thanks for the continued thoughts everyone. I was ...Thanks for the continued thoughts everyone. I was tempted to close comments yesterday because I really dislike the nasty "stop being offended" style of comments coming in, but I'm glad I didn't because many worthy points are still being made.<br /><br />I would make the observation that this is not the site's first foray into humour. And that many posts - some of the most popular even - have contained no reviews of sets or indeed parts. <br /><br />Yes, New E has a style but I would hate for it to become homogenous and predictable. That's a primary reason why I have guest reviewers and suggest they bring their own voice. For set reviews I do expect all new parts and recolours to be <i>mentioned</i>, but that's it.<br /> <br />Pete's post does not invalidate the views of other reviewers or readers!? Yes, it was an extreme change to the usual. That isn't so dissimilar (in terms of extremity) to the way I threw the site over to Chima, Bionicle and the LEGO Movie for many, many weeks last year. I appreciate this situation is different, but hopefully you get my point that I'm prepared to take risks sometimes.<br /><br />I certainly don't subscribe to the attitude, which I find sanctimonious and offensive, that there are somehow established standards to New E that I need to abide by!Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05188856208086872634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-22538959543204095122015-01-24T00:13:42.873+00:002015-01-24T00:13:42.873+00:00Great and funny review! Good job guys.
And let...Great and funny review! Good job guys.<br /><br />And let's all settle down, people. What I really like about New Elementary is the variety of opinions and posts - minutia and geekery all jumbled up with reviews and humour .There's room in the world for more than one style of writing. If you didn't like this maybe there'll be something more to your taste tomorrow.Ronnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-63329732457257076212015-01-24T00:13:21.350+00:002015-01-24T00:13:21.350+00:00I have noticed (filtering out the attempts at humo...I have noticed (filtering out the attempts at humor and rebukes of said attempts) that there is more discussion--and more worthy discussion--of new parts here in the comments than in the actual review.<br /><br />While some of the review was clearly in poor taste, I think my biggest problem with it (and the reason for my earlier comment*) is that it doesn't really review anything, especially not what TNE has made its name as: a place to find overviews of new parts and interesting ways they might be used.<br /><br />I get the need to plug for your own book, but the whole last section of the "review" is about things which have nothing to do with the set, something that's actually pretty characteristic of the whole article. Reread the Batman paragraph as an example. Lots of fluff, and only a mention of two new parts. And what does he say? "I really like it." For all his ridiculing of what idiots he thinks children are, the author's depth of expression seems particularly shallow.<br /><br />It's not as though this set was lacking opportunity for an actual discussion about new parts, either: what about the new bigfig, how does he compare to others? How did the illegal build make its way into a set? What about the super jumpers, which have reportedly broken some minifig feet? How is the new cowl an improvement, why do you like the new cape? I was hoping these were the kind of questions that would be answered, but instead we got "some horrid pink goo, which makes you throw up. And eat your own sick."<br /><br />Fair enough.<br /><br />- - - - -<br />*which I realize I am contradicting now, as I post an 'actual' comment. Whatever.rodiziorobshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10558468682815335055noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-58767718753876182042015-01-23T22:57:53.897+00:002015-01-23T22:57:53.897+00:00Those of you who find this sort of vitriolic nonse...Those of you who find this sort of vitriolic nonsense offensive should know that you are always welcome over at our LUGNuts blog where your sensibilities will be nurtured and protected. We truly understand the difference between good, clean fun and the sort of offensive drivel spewing forth from the writers of the New Elementary.Proudlovehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10020502247297926732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-12206142247567665392015-01-23T22:51:26.630+00:002015-01-23T22:51:26.630+00:00Fair enough. I am glad to here that Pete is not su...Fair enough. I am glad to here that Pete is not such an awful person after all. It does well for my faith in the AFOL community to know that the person they hold in such high regard is not genuinely such a pretentious snob. I apologize if my response seemed vitriolic, but calling readers "mentally deficient" was tasteless and insensitive even if no cruelty was intended.<br /><br />The "all children are idiots" in the comments and other statements to that effect (I'm reminded of the "little Timmy" straw man some AFOLs use to put down the LEGO Group's actual target audience) also drive me up the wall. Part of the reason the LEGO Group has become such a successful company is that they are a brand that DOES respect children. They understand that if a child does not enjoy a toy the burden of responsibility is on the toy, not on the child. And their lasting appeal with AFOLs comes from the recognition that play and creativity are not things people "grow out of", and that kids and adults alike have the intelligence and good taste to appreciate a quality design.<br /><br />All in all, this was pretty rough for the site's first dose of "humor". As you can see from the comments, this particular brand of humor is nothing if not divisive. I can definitely appreciate a humorous review! Many of the reviews on BZPower, one of my favorite online LEGO communities, are packed with humor, but that humor is playful and fun, not condescending or mean-spirited.Aanchirhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04758261805365974871noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-45934662971598816652015-01-23T20:01:04.507+00:002015-01-23T20:01:04.507+00:00I never realized this before, but there are three ...I never realized this before, but there are three different designs for bigfig hands. The first were for the Fantasy Trolls, which came on five different varieties based on the exact same body molds. Next up was the LotR Cave Troll, which got repeated for the Hobbit Goblin King (these ones don't have built-in pins). And third is the Superheroes bigfig hands, which started with Hulk, and has seen reuse with other-Hulk, Ultimate-universe Green Goblin, DC's Darkseid and Gorilla Grodd, and even Chima's Mungus. I have to wonder why they've made three different styles, and if the triple-theme use of the Superheroes hands indicates that they finally settled on one they like.Purple Davenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-2897321775260120192015-01-23T19:03:53.707+00:002015-01-23T19:03:53.707+00:00It’s called humor. There’s no need for people to t...It’s called humor. There’s no need for people to try to find offense in every little thing they can. We get enough of that in the big bad world outside without bringing it to a lighthearted review (aimed at adults) for what is essentially a child’s toy (even if it is played with by adults).<br /><br />Children ARE stupid. That’s what makes them so great. My three year old daughter recently shouted “Daddy, Daddy, Daddy, Daddy….. Look!” When I looked she was showing me how she could point her feet together. This is totally stupid and something I have seen a human do before in my 42 years on this planet. But did I also love it? Yes.<br /><br />Great review – and I also love Peter’s book. Thank you for the Exosuit, too. <br />Brainsluggedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14037642798580420677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-65717690015577220152015-01-23T19:02:28.337+00:002015-01-23T19:02:28.337+00:00Dude - you REALLY need to get out more. I hope you...Dude - you REALLY need to get out more. I hope you're feeling better soon.Brainsluggedhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14037642798580420677noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-76577585235095906292015-01-23T14:05:07.904+00:002015-01-23T14:05:07.904+00:00Wow. Despite the fact some excellent ripostes have...Wow. Despite the fact some excellent ripostes have been made in the comments I am very sad that others are such vindictive, vitriolic personal attacks on Pete. <br /><br />Well I'd be the first to agree that this is not the 'norm' post here at New E - indeed, that's partly why I was happy to publish it. I take things oh-so-terribly seriously here most of the time so was happy to have a satirical post for once. I knew it would not match everyone's sense of humour, but that's no reason to not publish it. If the result is that some people's expectations of this site were not met, too bad.<br /><br />The 'harmless fun' argument aside, I agree in hindsight that "mentally deficient" was in borderline taste. Here I can understand how offence was taken and I've always believed you cannot tell someone to not be offended when they already are. I can only be honest and state that for what it's worth that I know Pete (and his kind, accepting heart) well enough to know that no offence was intended. Nevertheless as editor I should have considered how the line could be perceived - yes, it did cross my mind at the time but given the obviously tongue-in-cheek tone of the article I left it in, and so I do apologise that it was offensive to some.Adminhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05188856208086872634noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-9314699390911710672015-01-23T08:45:34.990+00:002015-01-23T08:45:34.990+00:00Oh my sides, this is the "Look Around You&quo...Oh my sides, this is the "Look Around You" of LEGO® set reviews! (and btw i would watch that show if you make it)<br />Thanks, Peter and Caperberry.<br />Theterberry.<br /><br />(also everyone who's being 'triggered' by this needs to relax a little! I seriously doubt there's anyone reading or writing this blog who's not an AFOL and self aware enough to realize that it's ok to be interested in kid's toys/action figures as well as 50yr old scotch and a good game of bridge. No one is attacking you, it's A JOKE, stop projecting your own self esteem issues onto others trying to have a chuckle. /PSA )Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-43122782251249282912015-01-23T06:06:47.880+00:002015-01-23T06:06:47.880+00:00refreshingly hilarious and tongue-in-cheek, which ...refreshingly hilarious and tongue-in-cheek, which should have been obvious in the "handsome man piloting a mech" comment..hmm, where have we seen one of those before? if I hadn't already bought this set (hello, Wonder Woman!), I'd be buying it now. and maybe I even will buy a second one. you can never have too many invisible jets.julochkahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10884096685015570257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-16245150760208739932015-01-23T02:42:49.006+00:002015-01-23T02:42:49.006+00:00Nice! I hadn't even thought of that applicatio...Nice! I hadn't even thought of that application for them... but you're right, they'd be pretty much perfect!Andrew Barnickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11723179808721244651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-41834077434153511632015-01-23T02:24:31.067+00:002015-01-23T02:24:31.067+00:00There's a difference between "tongue in c...There's a difference between "tongue in cheek" humor and just being mean-spirited. Unless Pete Reid is trying to hone a Stephen Colbert-like alternate persona who hates children and chlidren-at-heart, I fail to see any humor in implying that all people who like action features are "mentally deficient"—particularly as a learning-disabled AFOL who DOES greatly enjoy Lego's recent shooter designs.<br /><br />Some of his jokes were funny. The little diatribe about what sort of message Gorilla Grodd sends was funny. The Truck Driver bio was funny. But soon after that he started insulting his audience and generally being a prick. That sort of attitude does no favors for him, and as a high-profile AFOL it'd reflect badly on all of us if he started talking about how "all children are idiots" in an interview or similar article.Andrew Barnickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11723179808721244651noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-7279374216918395362015-01-23T02:01:35.029+00:002015-01-23T02:01:35.029+00:00And Truck Driver is a way underrated series, long ...And Truck Driver is a way underrated series, long overdue for a complete collection.Håkannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-276033407505619194.post-59169723835641911412015-01-23T01:02:48.623+00:002015-01-23T01:02:48.623+00:00I thought the review was great and humorous, but t...I thought the review was great and humorous, but the comments made me despair. I was trying to think of a reply to them, but cannot think of anything that will not further offend the oh-so easily offended other than this; please research the term 'tongue in cheek'.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com