LEGO Minifigs getting angrier and angrier

Discussion of general LEGO topics
Post Reply
User avatar
Acelyn
Gong Farmer
Posts: 6
Joined: Thu Dec 06, 2007 9:02 pm

LEGO Minifigs getting angrier and angrier

Post by Acelyn »

Thought you all might find this interesting. Apparently, a New Zealand researcher is concerned about the amount of angry LEGO minifig faces vs. smilies and how this is affecting children.

http://money.cnn.com/2013/06/12/news/co ... ?hpt=hp_c4

Please discuss!

Jonathen
User avatar
Gavin of Lockwood
Archer
Posts: 394
Joined: Tue Jun 11, 2013 3:21 pm
Location: Here one day, gone the next.
Contact:

Re: LEGO Minifigs getting angrier and angrier

Post by Gavin of Lockwood »

I saw this too, I see their reasoning, but what made me laugh is this sentence:
"This could undermine LEGO's happy-go-lucky reputation as children grow up thinking of LEGO toys as laden with anger and fear."

I've played Lego for over 10 years, and I have never seen them as laden with anger and fear. That's a non-FOL stance of seeing them. They've never played with them. Built with them. Struggled over difficulties while building them. I've done all of it almost, and I don't see how they could be laden with anger and fear.
[img]http://www.brickshelf.com/gallery/lord-of-orks/map/rankings/citizen1.bmp[/img][img]http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7376/10295458854_798b684812_m.jpg[/img]
-Omnibus pro Deo.
[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/classical_jazz_piano]My Flickr[/url]
User avatar
OverLoad
Steward
Posts: 595
Joined: Fri Apr 30, 2010 12:34 am
Location: Windfall Island

Re: LEGO Minifigs getting angrier and angrier

Post by OverLoad »

I think this is more geared towards action themes or Castle themes, where your average Joe is equipped with a battle axe and thrown in the midst of battle. For those occasions, I think the more "stern" expressions are useful, and completely appropriate. However, if some random City janitor had an angry face all the while, and the mailman looked as if he was shouting, I could see a very small reason for complaint. Not even touching upon the fact that most of these faces are double-sided, with a expression that reflects a more happy mood on one side, and the "stern" expression on the other.

As far as increase in weapons goes, as a TFOL all I see is "New parts!" but from a parent's perspective, I suppose it could be seen as encouraging violence or what have you. Not that I agree, though. Mentioning BrickArms is completely irrelevant, as BrickArms is not affiliated with TLG in any way, shape, or form officially outside of the fact that their products are LEGO-compatible.
[url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/128569443@N02/]-New Flickr-[/url] [url=http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?m=MrGray]-Brickshelf-[/url] [url=http://www.classic-castle.com/forum/viewtop ... =4&t=24758]-Tales of the Nortlen-[/url]
User avatar
AK_Brickster
Admin
Admin
Posts: 3476
Joined: Wed Jun 22, 2011 5:02 pm
Location: Mushing through the Great Driftplains of Garheim
Contact:

Re: LEGO Minifigs getting angrier and angrier

Post by AK_Brickster »

I see increased weapons in historical or futuristic themes as just being part of the fun. Who wants to play with space aliens where there isn't some sort of conflict? It's not quite as fun if you're just inviting a tentacled extraterrestrial over for tea and a game of scrabble.

Same goes for medieval, wild west, and any other non-town theme. What do we learn about in history classes? Discoveries and battles. Battles just happen to be a lot more fun and diverse to play with than a set that shows the invention of the printing press.

Play sets need drama and/or excitement to be fun (particularly for boys - Lego's main customer base), in my opinion. Why else would we focus town sets on fire stations, police chases, and ski-dos? The modular pet shops, theaters, and city halls are neat, but I think those are more geared toward TFOLs and AFOLs who appreciate a challenging and aesthetically pleasing build over playing with it for hours with their minifigs.
Image
Plastics make it possible! (BrickLink) - My Flickr Stream
Courage, Honor, Loyalty! For Garheim!
User avatar
Quickblade22
22 times da man
Posts: 1035
Joined: Wed Sep 15, 2004 2:04 am
Location: Classic-Castle.....err New Castle, PA
Contact:

Re: LEGO Minifigs getting angrier and angrier

Post by Quickblade22 »

As a kid growing up with nothing but :) faces, I became extremely angry. As an adult with options of having a variety of facial expressions to choose from, I am now the one with the :) on my face. I just blew this moron's argument out of the water :sly: I think it is more important to have the actual person playing with the minifig to have the smile than the actual minifig itself.
Chief Smithy of Brick Forge
I buy LEGO, I play with LEGO, therefore LEGO are not for children, they are for me!
Redav
Artisan
Posts: 257
Joined: Thu Oct 21, 2010 5:42 am
Location: Brisbane, Australia

Re: LEGO Minifigs getting angrier and angrier

Post by Redav »

Maybe it's just reflecting society?

I don't see a problem though. Silly article.
Team Jesus

[url=http://www.brickset.com/search/?ownedBy=redav]My Brickset List[/url]
[url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/redavthe1st/]My Flickr Photostream[/url]
Karalora
Journeyman
Posts: 435
Joined: Fri Oct 03, 2008 6:22 pm
Location: San Fernando Valley, CA

Re: LEGO Minifigs getting angrier and angrier

Post by Karalora »

I think there's some truth to this. The increase in action-oriented themes is leading to an increase in minifig faces that are snarling, scowling, or sneering. The licensed themes seem to be the worst culprits, but I doubt that affects kids' perceptions much--they probably associate the angry faces with Avengers or Harry Potter or whatever first and foremost, rather than with LEGO. There might be some cause for concern when the same trend shows up in the non-licensed sets, though. The LEGO world should be an exciting place, but not a dark or vicious one.
User avatar
Medieval Guy
Squire
Posts: 621
Joined: Sat Dec 03, 2011 11:58 pm
Location: "Where the wind comes sweeping down the plains!"

Re: LEGO Minifigs getting angrier and angrier

Post by Medieval Guy »

People will analyze anything! Sheesh! What difference does this really make? Classic Castle still had conflict, and they were all smiling (come to think of it, smiling while chopping some dude's head off is actually slightly disturbing...) Does it really matter what the facial expressions are?
[url=http://www.mocpages.com/home.php/70980]MOCpages[/url]
Post Reply