Instead, how about some meaningful commentary/criticism, or insight into the builder or his process, or how the latest creation compares to his/her previous work.

I like to see them articles on websites, where there is a lower cost of production and distribution, plus for me, the added bonus of instant two way communication. Can you hear me now? I don’t think you’d have the impact on paper with a two or three month gap in between parts.

In my mind I don’t feel that building a LEGO MOC is any different than building any sort of art, and there are plenty of books full of rules and presentation techiques to make things more pleasing or to create the opposite effect. Mosaics are drawings or paintings and vigs are dioramas or statues. People who aren’t into LEGO understand the correlation. Just saying “I like to build statues and not have to paint them” breaks down all sorts of barriers in communication. But even with all that knowledge behind me, I try to break some conventions when I can. It’s not always successful but shape and color have nearly endless combinations, why not try as many as you can.

I don’t see anything wrong with raising the bar for the hobby, as well as tossin’ in a little fun discussion. It’s all great. More building tips can only be a big help to the person starting out, like me. I know I suck at robot building and I’m an infant when it comes to Technics. I used to throw them in a box and hide that box. Now I have to go on Bricklink to look up some of those parts to even understand what they are. Oh, it does that. Well, I’m using it for a downspout.

Ted brings up a good point about not trying to convince people that their hobby is worth while. Either people can see the value of the message or they can’t. Time solves many problems. Model Railroading has been around for at least a century, (I’m guessin’ here but don’t think I’m too far off) and people know about it because it’s been around so long. It’s become part of the public conciousness, and people know it’s not too dangerous. Just the expensiveness of it creates a sort of respectability. I alway tell people that LEGO is really expensive.

I joined Science Fiction fandom in 1970 when it was a spurned reading matter. “You read science fiction? Ohhh.” Yeah, at least three h’s. But, since Star Trek and Star Wars everybody and his brother is a science fiction fan. LEGO is a toddler on that scale, especially if you are just looking at the AFOL community. Have people had weird or negative experiences when they reveal their secret identity. Mostly I have had really great reactions from people when I tell them my hobby is building with LEGO. Especially when I show them something. Actually, I bring things to work and force people to look at them. “I am not goin’ away.” Since I mostly make MOC’s with a bit of a fun message I think they get recieved fairly well. And that really gets back to the message and how readable that message is.

Model railroaders don’t try to convince people their hobby is worthwhile. We shouldn’t have to either, but to get there it starts with US, not THEM.

I also think that this series can be extended with discussion of design principles as the toolbox of communication. Contrast, white space, busyness, foreground/background, shape, and even the golden ratio can really effect how a model is perceived. Plus, little lessons in design topics would help all builders.