How can we stop the meta-threads?

[No-Ah]

It seems that Masters of the Universe fans no longer talk about He-Man or She-Ra or Plundor. No one criticizes Matty anymore or questions Toy Guru's decisions. No one defends them either.

All we ever do anymore is talk about talking about the Masters of the Universe. We talk about negative posts, vague nebulous posts which are never even quoted. We talk about positive posts. We talk about loving and hating our figures, but do we ever find the time to actually love or hate the figures themselves anymore?

How can we stop talking about vague and poorly defined ideas like positivity, negativity, criticism, and apologies? How can we end the meta-conversation and actually begin debating actual figures and characters again?


My tongue is in my cheek above. But if we're only talking about talking, that's the surest sign of death for the line. It suggests a lack of interest in the actual product in favor of being more interested in simply arguing.....
And for those who want to interrupt what debate does occur on the substance of these figures, you should know that you're shifting the interest from the figures themselves.

[Hosed Ovor]

There are figures?

[Ridureyu]

Well, if you compliment the toy you get called a matty apologist and are told that you're killing the line.

If you criticize the toy you get called a hater and are told that you're killing the line.

So we turn to the easiest targets available: One another!

[Ibentmyman-thing]

I never meta thread I didn't like first then hate then grow accustomed to.

[kantboy2]

Fwoooooooooooosh!

[No-Ah]

Well, if you compliment the toy you get called a matty apologist and are told that you're killing the line.

If you criticize the toy you get called a hater and are told that you're killing the line.

So we turn to the easiest targets available: One another!

See? There you go again: talking about talking. How does this post aid Skeletor in finally getting inside of Castle Grayskull and claiming its power for his own?????????

[sirsniffy]

There needs to be a Rants and Raves separate board so people can vent.

[MegaGearMax]

There needs to be a Rants and Raves separate board so people can vent.

I remember when the Bayformers movie forums did that. Fun times.

[Jeevesosiris]

Has anybody seen Inception?

[Masamune]

You forgot your "the end is nigh" sign, Doomsay-or.

[Hosed Ovor]

See? There you go again: talking about talking. How does this post aid Skeletor in finally getting inside of Castle Grayskull and claiming its power for his own?????????

It was Skeletor's castle. It's not his fault he got laid off and couldn't pay his mortgage.

[Ridureyu]

See? There you go again: talking about talking. How does this post aid Skeletor in finally getting inside of Castle Grayskull and claiming its power for his own?????????

I've been distracting the Sorceress this whole time. He should be inside the throne room by now.

[Hosed Ovor]

I've been distracting the Sorceress this whole time. He should be inside the throne room by now.

That's an amazing talent you have there. I'm glad all of us evil warriors can count on you!

[Madison Carter]

It seems that Masters of the Universe fans no longer talk about He-Man or She-Ra or Plundor. No one criticizes Matty anymore or questions Toy Guru's decisions. No one defends them either.

All we ever do anymore is talk about talking about the Masters of the Universe. We talk about negative posts, vague nebulous posts which are never even quoted. We talk about positive posts. We talk about loving and hating our figures, but do we ever find the time to actually love or hate the figures themselves anymore?

How can we stop talking about vague and poorly defined ideas like positivity, negativity, criticism, and apologies? How can we end the meta-conversation and actually begin debating actual figures and characters again?


My tongue is in my cheek above. But if we're only talking about talking, that's the surest sign of death for the line. It suggests a lack of interest in the actual product in favor of being more interested in simply arguing.....
And for those who want to interrupt what debate does occur on the substance of these figures, you should know that you're shifting the interest from the figures themselves.

But the thing is, I don't think we are just talking like that. Sure, there's usually 3-6 threads going on the first page that are of that nature, but they're surrounded by a couple of dozen other threads focusing on the actual line. A lot of the upcoming figures are seeing heavy discussion the last couple of days thanks to Tokyonever's pics. For good or ill, Filmation Hordak and NA Skeletor are getting a lot of mileage. The obscure character polls are going on. The meta threads are loud and vocal, for sure, but by no means even all that plentiful in relation.

[Prince Adam's Dad]

Well, if you compliment the toy you get called a matty apologist and are told that you're killing the line.

If you criticize the toy you get called a hater and are told that you're killing the line.

So we turn to the easiest targets available: One another!

Nope. I criticize things all the time. I say I like things all the time. I have never been called either of those names.

The key is to not be so blind (or stubborn) that you won't recognize that both happen. Don't take it personally when someone likes something you dislike. Don't take it personally when someone dislikes something you like.

If people would stop taking everything so blasted personally, they would enjoy themselves an awful lot more. In general, and on the internet.

[Dynamo of Eternia]

Has anybody seen Inception?

I haven't actually seen it, but I know the premise behind it and know exactly what you mean.

[Ridureyu]

That's an amazing talent you have there. I'm glad all of us evil warriors can count on you!

So that's why preacher told me He-Man was bad!

[AdultCollector]

I would like forum members to have the ability to hide threads from their view, or have entire threads automatically hidden when the thread's creator is being ignored by the forum member.

[dolfanar]

i never meta thread i didn't like first then hate then grow accustomed to.

I love you man!

[No-Ah]

I would like forum members to have the ability to hide threads from their view, or have entire threads automatically hidden when the thread's creator is being ignored by the forum member.

And how does that attitude help free Etheria from the clutches of the Horde?

[Skeledor]

It seems that Masters of the Universe fans no longer talk about He-Man or She-Ra or Plundor. No one criticizes Matty anymore or questions Toy Guru's decisions. No one defends them either.

All we ever do anymore is talk about talking about the Masters of the Universe. We talk about negative posts, vague nebulous posts which are never even quoted. We talk about positive posts. We talk about loving and hating our figures, but do we ever find the time to actually love or hate the figures themselves anymore?

How can we stop talking about vague and poorly defined ideas like positivity, negativity, criticism, and apologies? How can we end the meta-conversation and actually begin debating actual figures and characters again?


My tongue is in my cheek above. But if we're only talking about talking, that's the surest sign of death for the line. It suggests a lack of interest in the actual product in favor of being more interested in simply arguing.....
And for those who want to interrupt what debate does occur on the substance of these figures, you should know that you're shifting the interest from the figures themselves.

I like your post. The reason I think that a lot of discussion gets taken away from the very reason we are all here (all things MOTU) is because there is a little burnout with the current line. The line has been going on for years and while I love collecting every figure they put out it just seems to me there is burnout for everyone involved including Scott and Mattel and maybe even the 4H. I think of it this way: I love the movie Rocky but with every sequel it gets a little bit more cheap and the depth isn't there and before you know it you have a shell of something that was great but over time has been reduced to just a name to make some money. I believe Scott loves this line with all his heart but his bosses probably don't share his enthusiasm couple that with trying to create and keep this line going while everyone is putting everything you do and say under a microscope and I think even he gets to the point of saying " is this really worth it". I do feel sorry for the guy at times and I am not excusing his moments of "What the hell were you thinking?" and we all know those are well documented but between deadlines,bosses,outraged fans and trying to keep this line going it has to take a toll on everyone involved...hell it takes a toll on me and I just collect the things. I think everyone knows this line is coming to and end and tensions are high on all fronts because there is that fear of "what now" and everyone wants to blame everyone else when there really isn't anyone to blame...its just life guys...it changes and goes on and the same is for all things even MOTU...it will always be here in some form or another and I for one am going to stop blaming everyone and hating everyone and enjoy this line for as long as we have it, I mean i'm still going to expect nothing but the best for every figure and raise hell when it doesn't meet that standard but Im also going to try and take some advice from some fellow org members and when it gets too heated just step away from the keyboard and cool off. The one thing I have always liked about the org is that we can voice our joy and anger on the boards and it gives us a place to be heard and I think that needs to continue but I agree that the name calling and hurtful things need to stop. I myself had to own up to my own childish behavior and apologize to members of this community because my "passion" had overridden my brain. I don't know if this answered your question or not but it's my take on it and I think MOTU will be just fine and in closing I just want to say to everyone that I may not agree with all of you but I do respect your right to say and like or hate something and that must never change because we are all He-Man.org.
Good Journey.

[LORD FALLEN ELDOR]

How can we stop the meta-threads? IMO It is simple; we can talk TO each other instead of AT one another. We can quote users and address a particular concern when it is expressed instead of making blanket statements not directed at anyone in particular. We can address issues at hand and not make up problems. We have enough problems without adding to them! Above all else, less talking and more listening would help everybody IMO, my self included.

Nope. I criticize things all the time. I say I like things all the time. I have never been called either of those names.

The key is to not be so blind (or stubborn) that you won't recognize that both happen. Don't take it personally when someone likes something you dislike. Don't take it personally when someone dislikes something you like.

If people would stop taking everything so blasted personally, they would enjoy themselves an awful lot more. In general, and on the internet.

I completely agree with you although IDK what people call me

Has anybody seen Inception?

Twice in one week I'm Shirley. (which IMO it totes iconic, because I usually feel like the son of Abed and Britta...)

I would like forum members to have the ability to hide threads from their view, or have entire threads automatically hidden when the thread's creator is being ignored by the forum member.

not sure if serious? (but then...I guess none of us are anymore...)

- - - Updated - - -

I never meta thread I didn't like first then hate then grow accustomed to.

I read every single one of you posts...I always have you are always worth it!

There needs to be a Rants and Raves separate board so people can vent.

(read after next quote)

I remember when the Bayformers movie forums did that. Fun times.

Does anyone say to an reasonable person "C'mon, be reasonable"?

I wish people could tell the difference between "i am frustrated and feel the need to vent" and "I feel like having a discussion" because IRL people seams to be able to better discern between these two things.

[No-Ah]

How can we stop the meta-threads? IMO It is simple; we can talk TO each other instead of AT one another. We can quote users and address a particular concern when it is expressed instead of making blanket statements not directed at anyone in particular. We can address issues at hand and not make up problems. We have enough problems without adding to them! Above all else, less talking and more listening would help everybody IMO, my self included.

Excellent comment. I saw a few posters complaining on another thread recently that no one was replying to their posts. That's not engaging, that's just talking to hear yourself talk.

Emotions are always high on a line we all first enjoyed when we 8ish, and engaging with the product does often regress us a bit. But if we actually talk and engage, then it may very well help avoid these vague general indictments of vast swaths of the fanbase and lead to some actual communication.

- - - Updated - - -

I like your post. The reason I think that a lot of discussion gets taken away from the very reason we are all here (all things MOTU) is because there is a little burnout with the current line. The line has been going on for years and while I love collecting every figure they put out it just seems to me there is burnout for everyone involved including Scott and Mattel and maybe even the 4H. I think of it this way: I love the movie Rocky but with every sequel it gets a little bit more cheap and the depth isn't there and before you know it you have a shell of something that was great but over time has been reduced to just a name to make some money. I believe Scott loves this line with all his heart but his bosses probably don't share his enthusiasm couple that with trying to create and keep this line going while everyone is putting everything you do and say under a microscope and I think even he gets to the point of saying " is this really worth it". I do feel sorry for the guy at times and I am not excusing his moments of "What the hell were you thinking?" and we all know those are well documented but between deadlines,bosses,outraged fans and trying to keep this line going it has to take a toll on everyone involved...hell it takes a toll on me and I just collect the things. I think everyone knows this line is coming to and end and tensions are high on all fronts because there is that fear of "what now" and everyone wants to blame everyone else when there really isn't anyone to blame...its just life guys...it changes and goes on and the same is for all things even MOTU...it will always be here in some form or another and I for one am going to stop blaming everyone and hating everyone and enjoy this line for as long as we have it, I mean i'm still going to expect nothing but the best for every figure and raise hell when it doesn't meet that standard but Im also going to try and take some advice from some fellow org members and when it gets too heated just step away from the keyboard and cool off. The one thing I have always liked about the org is that we can voice our joy and anger on the boards and it gives us a place to be heard and I think that needs to continue but I agree that the name calling and hurtful things need to stop. I myself had to own up to my own childish behavior and apologize to members of this community because my "passion" had overridden my brain. I don't know if this answered your question or not but it's my take on it and I think MOTU will be just fine and in closing I just want to say to everyone that I may not agree with all of you but I do respect your right to say and like or hate something and that must never change because we are all He-Man.org.
Good Journey.

You may be right. The line is a little long in the tooth. The A, B, and C list figures have all already been made.

[SpiritOfTeela]

Nope. I criticize things all the time. I say I like things all the time. I have never been called either of those names.

The key is to not be so blind (or stubborn) that you won't recognize that both happen. Don't take it personally when someone likes something you dislike. Don't take it personally when someone dislikes something you like.

If people would stop taking everything so blasted personally, they would enjoy themselves an awful lot more. In general, and on the internet.

BRAVO!

I do think sometimes folks that are constantly offended need to look inside themselves instead of always putting it on everyone else. If you are someone who is offended often, the issue may not be those that are offending you - it may be you. We spend so much time (not just here, in general) in catering to every special snowflake and their personal little sensibilities.

That said, I don't offend easily whatsoever - much less enough to speak up about it - but I have been kind of offended this last day or so. Unfortunately, the OpEd seems to have just emboldened folks to complain about complaining - just look at the SDCC thread. You have folks very respectfully disagreeing with the choice to make a SDCC-exclusive item all of a sudden after all this time, and post after post of folks with terrible, nasty tone, calling folks names, and simply making stuff up that no one ever said - all in the name of complaining, about folks bringing up an issue. And it just sits there until folks who were just trying to make a civil point like myself just bowed out. It seems it's now open season for folks to be righteous and antagonistic.

I'm glad they finally locked the other thread, it ran it's course, rocky as it was - and of course, here we are, complaining ourselves - look I just did it LOL - but it's really clear to me that a jackhammer has just been used to divide the community. I don't even really want to click submit on this post. .ORG isn't the only game in town any more, and I think that the genie has been let out of the bottle. I'm really not sure there is any way to corral the "meta" discussion now that's it has been forcefully put front and center. I wish I had a constructive suggestion as to what to do - but I don't, I really don't.

[No-Ah]

BRAVO!

I do think sometimes folks that are constantly offended need to look inside themselves instead of always putting it on everyone else. If you are someone who is offended often, the issue may not be those that are offending you - it may be you. We spend so much time (not just here, in general) in catering to every special snowflake and their personal little sensibilities.

That said, I don't offend easily whatsoever - much less enough to speak up about it - but I have been kind of offended this last day or so. Unfortunately, the OpEd seems to have just emboldened folks to complain about complaining - just look at the SDCC thread. You have folks very respectfully disagreeing with the choice to make a SDCC-exclusive item all of a sudden after all this time, and post after post of folks with terrible, nasty tone, calling folks names, and simply making stuff up that no one ever said - all in the name of complaining, about folks bringing up an issue. And it just sits there until folks who were just trying to make a civil point like myself just bowed out. It seems it's now open season for folks to be righteous and antagonistic.

I'm glad they finally locked the other thread, it ran it's course, rocky as it was - and of course, here we are, complaining ourselves - look I just did it LOL - but it's really clear to me that a jackhammer has just been used to divide the community. I don't even really want to click submit on this post. .ORG isn't the only game in town any more, and I think that the genie has been let out of the bottle. I'm really not sure there is any way to corral the "meta" discussion now that's it has been forcefully put front and center. I wish I had a constructive suggestion as to what to do - but I don't, I really don't.

When a collector loves a line very much.... and people criticize that line, it can hurt. And its worse when the criticisms are valid and there is no counter-argument.