Community

Post by **SavaTheAggie** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:19 pm

I was having a discussion in the Bricklink Chat room earlier today, and someone mentioned that one shouldn't get too stuck in the online world - it's a distraction, not a cure, for life's troubles.

And I thought - you know, that's not entirely true. Sure, totally abandoning your real life for an online life is bad, but the folks here in the LEGOverse don't seem to do that.

Sometimes, most of the time, the LEGO community can really be a cure for life's troubles, and it got me to thinking of just why that is. Why is it that the LEGO community is so strong? Granted, there are theme rivalries, but its all in fun, so why is it that you can go to any of the huge number of LEGO forums and feel more or less instantly welcome? Why is the LEGO community above and beyond other online communities?

And it hit me.

On other online forums, you are just you - some ethereal entity spewing out text on a screen. But here, in the LEGOverse, there's something more. The very topic of our discourse is also what keeps us rooted in reality - LEGO.

Unlike other hobby sites, we are all given the same basic materials, the same building blocks, if you'll pardon the pun. Sure, some of us have more than others, but LEGO allows you to build more with less. On other hobby sites, there can be huge annimosity between the haves and the have nots, or between brand loyalty or scratch building. But LEGO is all the same. A stud is a stud. A plate is a plate. It all meshes, it all connects - it is our unity.

By having LEGO bricks, by building MOCs, and showing them to the online community, we keep a firm grasp to reality here, and our community becomes closer. By using the same building materials, those with even the smallest collection can inspire the most towering of giants. It's our unifying identity, our passion, and our anchor in reality all in one nice package. Not only does it promote the development of motor skills and imagination, but it creates communities and families where there were none before.

Who would have thought a little plastic brick could do all that.

--Tony

Aliencat · Post by **Aliencat** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 9:29 pm

SavaTheAggie wrote:Sure, totally abandoning your real life for an online life is bad, but the folks here in the LEGOverse don't seem to do that.

No of course we can't be on the internet 24/7, we also need Lego time

SavaTheAggie wrote:Granted, there are theme rivalries, but its all in fun

Unless it involves Bionicle

All jokes aside though, as it turns out there aren't many things Lego can't do...

Post by **Athos** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 3:49 am

I'd say an online community like this is different from the MMPOGs (is that the right acronym?). To be truly involved here you have to spend time away from your computer (unless you're into LCAD). So it would be hard to be active here, without having something away from here.

Plus you have to have a decent source of income to afford to keep up with the latest in Lego.

So I doubt there is much risk of internet addiction amongst online Lego fanatics.

And I think without the online AFOL community my interest in Lego would have waned to the point of a dark age.

Peppermint Pig · Post by **Peppermint Pig** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 4:49 pm

Game sites don't often apply. They are communities focused on a single topic, usually, but they're not always about creative effort.

Half of the equation is Specialization: A tight knit community that isn't trying to focus on EVERYTHING. Hence, Classic Castle. Sites that try to do everything can become huge and/or watered down.

The other half of the equation is a short list of principles:

1. Constructive Critique: If someone asks for critique, point out something you like about their work, be honest, try to avoid posting one-liner responses, and if the work is still in progress suggest ways to make something better. A list of dislikes set in a harsh tone is not productive or friendly.

2. Cooperation: Sharing useful ideas or discoveries. Getting together with fellow fans and putting on a show, etc. LUG's contribute quite a bit to this part of the hobby.

3. Friendly Competition. Anything done in a good nature can really help a community. Team based competitions being superior to individual ones, for example.

In addition, it helps to have a seasoned community administration which values the less is more approach and stays objective when problems arise.

I used to run a specialized creative community myself, so I speak from experience.

BreadMan · Post by **BreadMan** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 8:18 pm

There are some great things about this community for sure. Going to cons and sitting down to dinner with a bunch of people I've just met and talking about The Brick for the whole time is a great experience. Chatting with fellow AFOLs when bored, getting feedback on the pics you post - I certainly wouldn't be building at the extent or level I do now if it weren't for the internet and the large LEGO community.

But while there's a lot of good things about it, I hate to say I don't share your optimism that it's the be-all-end-all of internet communities, Tony. In fact I think there is still a lot of room for maturity - a community that's created such things as the Builder's Lounge and where one of the best mecha builders can't post on Lugnet without incurring an immediate flame war...I have to say I think there's a lot of necessary improvement that needs to happen before I consider it "above and beyond other online communities."

Lamanda2 · Post by **Lamanda2** » Fri Mar 21, 2008 10:13 pm

The Online LEGO communtity certainly is a warm and welcoming one.

Everyone is so friendly, and willing to help you out if you have some sort of problem- I wouldn't be half the builder (Not that I'm a good one) or customizer I am today were it not for everyone's help & constructive criticism.

" I have to say I think there's a lot of necessary improvement that needs to happen before I consider it "above and beyond other online communities." "

I would probably say it's above the better half of them, in my opinion. And after-all, he never said it was above and beyond all other online communities.

~Amanda

Traveler · Post by **Traveler** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 4:54 am

I agree, Anthony. I've found that the best online communities are the ones grounded, ultimately, in something outside just "being online."

There are also great communities out there for music making and bike building/riding, which are two things besides LEGO that I spend a lot of time on. But communities where the only linking factor is the fact that the people are online, for example MMOs, in my opinion are much less satisfying, probably because they don't really have any basis in reality.

When you have something constructive (pun mot certainly intended

) to work on as a community, such as CCCV, there is a real bonding that can take place even among people who have never actually met and may live on different continents.

We've got a good thing going here, people, and I'm proud to be part of this community.

teraflop122 · Post by **teraflop122** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:17 pm

why is it that you can go to any of the huge number of LEGO forums and feel more or less instantly welcome?

That must be a wonderful feeling. Unfortunately, I have never encountered it. Newcomers are still ignored. The ignorant are bashed instead of helped. Just like all other communities, the LEGO online community suffers from the same negative elements- bad people out to hurt other people, or people who hurt others via their lack of telerance or empathy.

boses · Post by **boses** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 6:35 pm

With most forums you rarely get out what you put into it...However, with CC all members whether they be seasoned mocsters with a vast collection or a Lego Noob just learning the acronyms, everyone is treated as an equal, and shown an uncommon degree of respect...When mistakes are made or problems arise they are dealt with swiftly and with an even and fair hand...For these and many more reasons I really enjoy and prefer this forum...Thanks

Blueandwhite · Post by **Blueandwhite** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 7:56 pm

teraflop122 wrote:
why is it that you can go to any of the huge number of LEGO forums and feel more or less instantly welcome?
That must be a wonderful feeling. Unfortunately, I have never encountered it. Newcomers are still ignored. The ignorant are bashed instead of helped. Just like all other communities, the LEGO online community suffers from the same negative elements- bad people out to hurt other people, or people who hurt others via their lack of telerance or empathy.

I'm sorry that you've had such negative experiences with the LEGO community. Personally, I've found that this (and other sites like it) have been very welcoming to the overwhelming majority of new members. Just because somebody doesn't reply or respond to a thread or comment doesn't mean that you are being ignored. I'm sorry to say it, but not all MOCs or topics are going to receive the same attention. A wonderful MOC by the likes of Rebel Rock or a vetran like Jojo is obviously going to fetch alot of admiration from a wide range of viewers. Other MOCs by newer and less-experienced builders just don't excite the community in the same way.

Yes, most forums that cator to a mature audience don't have a great deal of tolerance for ignorant or immature posters. Most of the ignorant posters you speak of are instructed on what is considered proper behaviour, only to continuously ignore the rules. Having little or no tolerance for immaturity is not in of itself a bad thing.

teraflop122 · Post by **teraflop122** » Sun Mar 23, 2008 10:34 pm

Oh, I know not all threads are worthy of attention and etc, but when you ask a seasoned vet what scale they used in their MOC and he uses the opportunity to belittle you, the community doesn't seem so benevolant.

That being said, the atmosphere here at Classic-Castle is far friendlier than Classic-Space.

LORD DOOM · Post by **LORD DOOM** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 3:28 am

teraflop122 wrote:Oh, I know not all threads are worthy of attention and etc, but when you ask a seasoned vet what scale they used in their MOC and he uses the opportunity to belittle you, the community doesn't seem so benevolant.

That being said, the atmosphere here at Classic-Castle is far friendlier than Classic-Space.

That's cause I'm here.

Ya'll are just great, chillax on it.

Keep the focuss where it belongs, the Lego and our imaginations. Keep the competition healthy and treat all newcomers with respect even if their grasp on fundamental grammar is minimal.

I've made friends for sure, but it's healthy to keep things in perspective and not get too wrapped up in online drama. It's never all that interesting anyway.

Prince Imdol · Post by **Prince Imdol** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 3:49 am

I have to agree. The atmosphere on Classic-Space is even harsh sometimes. Yes, they are very very good builders, but they are very harsh on new people, especially on female members of the community.

Classic-Castle seems to be the opposed of that in many ways. Yes we do have our little arguments, but non of them ever escalate to the verbal violence that occurs on Classic-Space.

With gaming forums, they are inhabited by very immature members, most of them jerks who don't have much of a life. I am an administrator of one of them, and I try to make it is good as I possibly can, but once in a while, you get a jerky member.

So far, no other forum that I have joined (Saber Scorpion, FBTB, Classic-Space, Eurobricks, etc...) have acquired/gained the spirit of camaraderie that Classic Castle has created, which is why I give a real thumbs up to the people, moderators and administrators here.

P.I

jamitjames · Post by **jamitjames** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 3:49 am

I would have to disagree with most, if not all of the first post.

Most of the time, the LEGO community can really be a cure for life's troubles.

I'm not sure if that was meant as a joke or not, but I really don't see how this is true. I have seen many cases where a builder has dropped out of the LEGO community to deal with an issue in their real life. Based on that I would suggest that the LEGO community does not help people find new jobs when they have lost their old one.

You also implied that the LEGO community is so much better than other ones. Again I have to ask if that is really the case, or is that just a pro-LEGO bias shinning through?

Don't get me wrong, the online LEGO community is awesome. But I don't think we should be claiming it has some type of healing power or is so much better than, say a sports community.

Prince Imdol · Post by **Prince Imdol** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 3:51 am

jamitjames wrote:I would have to disagree with most, if not all of the first post.

I guess a lot of it is based on opinion, because I disagree with all of your post.

But, you do have a thought, and you backed it up, so you get a cookie!

P.I