Mister Phes

Idealistically people would do that... but research alone perhaps isn't enough. The most effective way to understand and develop empathy for people is to interact with them and form meaningful connections. But not everyone has that inclination or the opportunity to do so. Or maybe you're only seeing in absolutes. So you're saying someone has to agree with your perspective 100% or they're a bigot and trying to hide it?

No, you're missing the point. It's what people (who aren't part of the LGBTQIA+ community or live in a region without a strong Neo-liberal presence) associate with the flag with. Often,they unaware of who is pushing policies and organising rallies. What they see on TV is the flag being waved at a rally in front of a government building with around 20 seconds of narration, and that's what forms the association. And while this is true, there is a double standard. Some people perceive the pride flag solely as political because their only exposure to it has been through political media, whereas, national flags have a much broader usage and part of their everyday life.

In the good old days they did, hence the inspiration behind the photos posted here.

Perhaps it's because wheelchair bound and hearing impaired people don't have an official flag which they're presenting at political rallies, hence why they don't have the same political association. Or are there now Ableist rallies which I'm unaware of? Thank you, that is a point worth noting.

Maybe I've missed some posts, but who is objecting to LGBTQ+ representation in LEGO? The objection I was noting was toward the perceived politicization of a brand who has stated "we will not make political sets". I certainly can give suggestions but as I don't identify as trans myself, maybe I'm not best qualified to answer that question. Perhaps the question should be; how do trans people want to be represented? Is a rainbow flag really the only way?

When something doesn't cause offense or controversy it generally doesn't fuel debate. There have been police themed sets for more than 35 years now. And no doubt some people have always found them to be confronting and confusing, but perhaps a lot more people feel this way because of the narrative certain media outlets have been pushing during the past 12 months. Which other LGBTQIA+ sets were considered "just too political"? The point I was trying to make is, people who aren't associated with LGBTQIA+ community or live in a region without a strong Neo-liberal presence generally observe the LGBTQIA+ flag through news media reporting on its political aspects (E.g. it's being waved around at a rally in front of a government building) hence why they may feel 40516 Everyone Is Awesome is too political for a company who has stated "we will not make political sets" .

I haven't taken a side. There doesn't even need to even be sides. You can agree with certain aspects of an issue while disagreeing with others. I was noting there are other ways to represent diversity and inclusion without resorting to symbology that has been frequently used to support political agendas. Yes, there is that chance. There is also the chance not every single person wants be represented by a corporation, irrespective of whether that corporation is currently representing them.

I wasn't making a comment regarding the sales or popularity of this particular set, I was making a general statement about consumerism.

Thank you for that in depth response. I shall investigate further when time permits. Although I'll note some countries are more politically motivated that others... so why hasn't China been represented? Yes, you are correct. Gaslighting is an informal term used to describe manipulating someone to doubt their reality. So I will rescind my statement regarding gaslighting, however I will maintain my position regarding the straw man as the response did not address the issue directly enough. A couple of years ago we discussed ways the LEGO Group could incorporate LGBTQ+ representation and I postulated whether there would be a problem if they released a drag queen minifig. Now granted, drag queens are only one aspect of LGBTQ+, why do you feel the need for the need for such overt representation seen on 40516 Everyone Is Awesome, rather than more subtle means? E.g. casually slipping a LGBTQ+ minifig into a set as though its perfectly normal without drawing any attention to it. And I acknowledge you personally don't see the LGBTQ+ pride flag as overt or political, however those unfamiliar with the LGBTQ+ community may find it confronting or confusing.

Could you please list all the national flags released in official LEGO sets and I shall review them further... Yes they are. They're using an argument to subvert lauriel.kami's observation. No group has the "right" to be represented in a commercial product, however a manufacturer may choose to represent certain groups.

4 hours ago, Karalora said: Hey, who left this microphone on the floor? It's like they just dropped it here... And when the microphone gets dropped on the floor anyone can pick it up... The LEGO Group is absolutely correct, the right for all children and families to feel included isn't political. However, they've chosen to base a product on symbology which has been heavily politicized through agendas intended to influence political decisions. Meanwhile, there are other ways to represent inclusion and diversity, such as those observed by @williejm in an earlier post. But what's concerning is, the LEGO Group is gaslighting one of their fans for quoting past company policy. They're blatantly using children and family rights as a strawman argument rather than owning up to the fact, yes the symbology which inspired product has a strong political association.

Or you can completely ignore the set. Remember, consumers vote with their money, and nothing sends a clearer message to corporations than products which fail to generate revenue.

Not a pirate ship! Does this mean Broadside is sailing into town?

It's very simple to explain to your kids. You say, "I've just bought some new LEGO. Now build whatever you like... Let your imagination run wild!"

We're not quite that old...

Elon Musk told me to use signal... and he did that via his Starlink communications.

Feel free to share your story in that topic.

No... It's too personal! Just kidding! Here is a very in depth account of my first LEGO Pirate sets.

For me, the two are intertwined in nostalgia... this was the music playing in the background while I was building my first LEGO Pirate sets.

Well there you go. I was not aware he covered that song. However, I do have a particular fondness for Rhythm of My Heart and the Motown Song which were released in 1991 around the time my love for LEGO Pirates blossomed.

The one by Rod Stewart?

Mister Phes is a witch who loves to stir up controversy and be hunted.... but maybe the world isn't ready for my comments. So I'll give everyone the opportunity to dissuade me from continuing along this line of thought before posting...

He sent it me via GitHub. GeoCities only offered web hosting. But as for MySpace, you're in luck...

And GitHub is? Who invited you to Clubhouse? I got my invite from Captain Barbossa... I mean Geoffrey Rush.