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Comical relief :

I guess I should chosen a better location when purchasing a house. My realtor blew it by not discussing LEGO availability with me, and I didn't ask. Never again!

Bulk buy final round. Sea Cow is crazy, love that set. Think I'm good on building for a couple months.

Damm should post this in the retiring soon thread

I am here to complain that my COVID thread got overrun by politics (of which, yes I was a small part), which is obviously allowed here. And when we tried to talk about this still ongoing pandemic, it just turned into politics. Outcome = Locked thread To be quite honest, this **** still isn't going away. Id like everyone to know that my wife had it, and my kids probably did., but I didnt. It sucks and that is my complaint. But I also couldn't express to anyone online how i feel, ya know, to you guys. Of course I have my family, but still, you have to get stuff off your chest occasionally. Working from home, I don't see my work family, so they kind of feel like a new online family. I know its sappy but you all are a pretty good online family, at least people less anonymous than reddit or other "social media" Actually, not being hugely active on social media, and honestly being a 10-year married man with 2 daughters, I don't have many friends but I do thrive on communication. I appreciate this community in that we all typically post very mature conversations and weight with which we post our ideas and commentary, even thought it is just an LEGO investing forum. Its nice finding out little bits about everyone here and I appreciate it. So, yeah, thats my complaint.

Target put out a fresh case this morning...paid retail plus 5% redcard

Bet. See you May 4th

The moment anyone makes a post and talks about JUST the left wing media or JUST the right wing media, i know they are too biased and have already commited too much confirmation bias to take their opinion seriously. Both sides of the media are huge, rich, equal in audience and are chopping the stories up to fit their agenda. Both sides of the media. I am tired of this left wing/right wing debate. They both suck A double S.

We do if it leads to a Small Wonder reboot. I assume they broke down Vicki and turned her into a Twitter bot that unleashed the hell we're currently living in.

Yes. In part it is because people read these stories on social media apps in the context of scrolling, clicking on mobile devices in a few seconds. The way we use social media is antithetical to critical thinking, as there is no time to pause, consider, evaluate, entertain or challenge anything. One post, no big deal, but these apps use algorithms that feed you insane crap that speaks so aptly to your own bias that they become reality generators. Once you open up the rabbit hole there is no bottom.

I prefer a 350$ gunship

It’s not even an argument shortbus. You are 100% correct.

I would argue that the side that controls the majority of the media in the country is the side that could most effectively suppress truth and propagate propaganda. I wish there was a TV media outlet that properly investigated, published only facts and showed reactions from both sides. Unfortunately, no media company seems to feel that there is any money to be made in that so it probably won't happen. The two people I mentioned above, John Sullivan and Leslie (Logan) Grimes, were definitely there, both by self admission. The MSM would have us believe that there were absolutely no non-Trump supporters there and if you say/think otherwise you will be "canceled". Suppression of the ideas and beliefs of the opposition is the first step towards authoritarian rule. If you believe only having a two party system in America is bad wait until it becomes a one party system.

It does not matter whether the propagandist reports truth. That is insignificant. The great manipulation comes from the power choose what "truth" to publish and what "truth" to bury.

Or they are reporting the truth and whatever else is put out by OAN etc is propaganda. Just something to think about. That's the problem with the fragmented media. Everyone can find their niche, pretend that's the "truth" and the rest is "propaganda". Democracy requires that we agree on the facts and then we argue over what conclusions to draw from these facts and how to weigh the different consequences of our actions (e.g. public health vs. individual freedom in the case of covid restrictions). But when we can't agree on the facts any more, we have a real problem.

I recently finished up building a 70905 speedwagon from a bulk as well. Those wheel assemblies are no joke!

John Sullivan, confirmed BLM activist who was inside the capitol on the 6th. He claims in a interview that he was just there to document and find out for himself what the other side was all about, even though he has made anti-trump and anti-trump supporter comments on social media for years. He founded a group called Insurgance USA... somehow I don't buy his story. Logan Grimes, another BLM activist who was arrested at the capitol on the 6th and was carrying a firearm at the time. I am not saying that every claim is valid (I do not believe for a minute that the woman who was shot was Antifa), but there are verified cases. Feel free to Google these two guys and find out for yourself.

Agreed. What we need is actual reporters, without bias, searching for facts - where ever they may lead. Sadly, I know some of those types of independent reporters are getting shut down by YouTube, facebook, twitter, etc. It is getting hard to find actual facts. The only thing arguably more difficult to find are people interested in actual facts.

SCOTUS has said that hate speech is considered protected speech under the First Amendment. Personally, I don't like the idea of censoring anyone, especially POTUS. It makes him into a martyr, honestly. But censoring one side, because you don't like what they say - that's something that's done in a dictatorship. And yes, I understand the argument that Twitter/Facebook/etc are "private" companies (they're publicly traded companies). But big companies, that get too much power, have been broken up in the past. And the slippery slope becomes too easy to go down. Where do we draw the line? What happens when your opinion is unpopular? Do you really want to be muffled?

The problem is that both side splinters as it approach their respective extremes. I picture a graph curve that's parabolic (big central hump) in the middle and then increasing on the ends...neither side has a unified voice from their respective extremes. The larger problem, why are we even talking about the extremes anyway...there was a time when these fanatics were generally viewed as "whack jobs" and not worthy of serious consideration...now they drive the headlines...which feeds the mindset of the other side think...see we're not like them...

Do I believe that non-Trump supporters were the ringleaders of what happened at the Capitol? Not for a moment. Do I believe that there were bad actors there? 100%. There had been talk for weeks about a demonstration in DC on the 6th. I absolutely believe that non-Trump supporters, a multitude of nations, and our own three letter agencies all had bad actors in the crowd to not only observe, but to push and cause mayhem. How about any truth? There was a time when reporters reported facts, and let the viewers decide what that means. Now, every "news" station blurs that line, with talking heads telling us what we're supposed to think about the "truth" they're reporting on. And truth suppression is definitely there, in spades. Instead of just reporting the facts, and then reporting new facts that bring new wrinkles to the story (and show just how complicated any story is), there is definite suppression of facts that "don't support the narrative." And both sides do this all the time. The truth would be reporting all the facts, that come from both sides of the equation. Lying by omitting, because the facts suddenly don't make the narrative you're pushing look good is not good for anyone.

Yes, please support your local tv stations. By the way I know you said local “public” tv station so sorry to take you out of context. Just wanted an excuse to post this gem.

I agree that there is so much propaganda put out from CNN, MSNBC, FB, YouTube, Twitter and the rest of the left media that it is near impossible to find the truth nowadays.

Crazy thing was not a piece missing in any of them. Sea Cow is awesome, best of the lot. My wife (who does not do Lego at all) loves it. She said it looks like it's from her favorite anime One Piece. Destiny's Bounty is also awesome. The Scooby sets were really nice, I can see why they are doing so well. Voltron was a chore, did not enjoy that or Bennys at all.

Treehouse back at LEGO Shop at Home with ice rink promo.

What an insane haul, and an insane amount of building. Sea Cow is a favorite of mine. Always disappointed that it didn’t do better post EOL.

There be flowers at LEGO Shop at Home! Roses https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/roses-40460?CMP=AFC-AffiliateUS-lw9MynSeamY-208164-115554-1 Tulips https://www.lego.com/en-us/product/tulips-40461?CMP=AFC-AffiliateUS-lw9MynSeamY-208164-115554-1

also most stores i hit now have an extremely out of the way in the corner endcap in the collectibles section next to the books/blu-ray where they keep IDEAS, larger selection of architecture and occasionally larger Creator Expert and Technic sets. usually the lego sets are facing the rear wall and you would never know they were there without walking all the way around the back of the endcap. pretty stupid marketing but its that way at all stores. the last xmas they sold elves sets, they kept them all there so no one bought any because they weren't seen and there was bonkers clearance at every store. i miss elves.

Delorean by Lukasz Libuszewski

Happy Thanksgiving! by Snazzy Bricks

Exactly right. And then combine that with bad actors spreading propaganda. When you are quick scrolling you don’t know if it’s someone legit thinks something, or if they’re being inflammatory under the guise of being “real.” Nothing is as black and white as it’s presented today.

Not that I know of yet. I am pretty sure there are quite a few people really mad about it too. Though to be honest I wouldn't look too hard personally as I'm in one of the 5 states without a sales tax.

I would encourage all to read Amazon's response to Parler's lawsuit over being deplatformed. In it, Amazon cites the multiple breaches of their agreement and a number of threats posted by users that go well beyond hate speech and cross the line into breaking the law by calling for the murder of police, teachers, execution and assassination of elected officials, and genocide. https://www.pacermonitor.com/view/LHNWTAI/Parler_LLC_v_Amazon_Web_Services_Inc__wawdce-21-00031__0010.0.pdf?mcid=tGE3TEOA As for trump being banned- He is free to start his own platform, buy his own server space, and create his own app where he can say what he wants to people who can stomach him.

There is an image of all three together. If you made this up, then we are both in the same fever dream.

With the introduction of 18+ LEGO has enabled itself to no longer having to make sets that satisfy the demands from both adults and kids at the same time. So they can create elaborate "build and display" sets at higher price points for the 18+ audience (TFOL and AFOL target), and dumb down (not meant negatively) sets for the 6-9 age range, which is their key kids audience. But there will be people who don't want to pay big bucks for large elaborate sets (think $300+), but who want more details than the kids versions provide. Which is where the old sets will shine.

Basically all news we consume originates from the Associated Press and Reuters. Both formed at around the same time in the mid 1800's. These two organizations centralized news and created the "journalistic" machine you see today. Two heads of the same serpent. "Oh sweet summer child." "Oh sweet summer child." I mean no offense Dan, honestly. I shouldn't be so harsh. I'm a bit blackpilled after a nearly ten year dive on this topic of media and journalism. Once you realize Its been a total fix since the ww1, it makes a man a tad cynical.

Maybe you should start supporting your local public radio and tv station,

"All the world's a stage" Ever wonder why what you watch on Television is labeled programming? Edward Burnays, Nephew to Sigmond Freud and Great Uncle to Marc Burneys Randolph(founder of Netflix), and the father of modern propaganda said it best. “The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country. ...We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of. This is a logical result of the way in which our democratic society is organized. Vast numbers of human beings must cooperate in this manner if they are to live together as a smoothly functioning society. ...In almost every act of our daily lives, whether in the sphere of politics or business, in our social conduct or our ethical thinking, we are dominated by the relatively small number of persons...who understand the mental processes and social patterns of the masses. It is they who pull the wires which control the public mind.” If you don't know who Edward Burnays is, I suggest you do a google search. One of the most influential people in US history and unknown to most Americans.

There is a lag time and this gives you a heads up that it will also be retired in the US soon(few months).

why just Golden Wu? sell them all

You guys do realize that shelf space is not relevant for what stays and goes, don't you? It isn't like Lego execs are sitting around worrying about shelf space in Target when they have multiple online outlets. There are plenty of examples of Lego maintaining numerous large sets at one time, none of which took up any shelf space except in a few select stores that generally started with "L" and ended with "ego". Retirements are driven by internal metrics and considerations invisible to us.

Topiary by Stilly Bricks

An actual deal for the Deals thread. Amazon has the zombie cave for $16.82, limit 3 Amazon Business has the same, much higher limit. https://www.amazon.com/LEGO-Minecraft-Zombie-21141-Building/dp/B075RDZLZ5/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=Lego+zombie+cave&qid=1610498040&sr=8-1

My Targets also doubled the space for Lego after TRU shuttered.

"they fly now?" "They fly now" LEGO has been doing all sorts of things w/ the "Destiny Bounty" It runs on Land and now it flies. I don't watch the toons so no clue if its consistent with the show. Anyway, I am sure fans of the show and LEGO will want the variants as the "ship" has been a staple for the Ninjago line for the past decade (Happy Anniversary Ninjago...I too want the golden Wu). 10 years...Ninjago has had remarkable staying power. LEGO hit it out of the park.

LEGO room by Jonas Kramm

Elvendale 2 Panoramic by Stilly Bricks

Don't F with the Jesus!

complete with powered up options

I know that not everybody has the past sets that already have Christmas trees, but I wish they would stop including them. I hate building them and they don't add to the main build. They could just do an accessory pack for these things.