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Collectibles => Past Hasbro 3.75" Lines => Rogue One => Topic started by: Darby on July 15, 2016, 03:52 PM

Title: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on July 15, 2016, 03:52 PM
May not be the right place for it, if not, please move. I know I and others have complained directly or indirectly about Paul Harrison and JTA here in the past for a variety of reasons, all tied to his rampant negativity. As time has gone on it's gone from an amusing sort of 'wow did you see that?' to 'is this really happening?' Well, it is, and now it's gone too far.

I feel I have to say something about his article regarding the Jyn Erso figure reveal here: http://www.jeditemplearchives.com/content/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=18228

In the comments he says the figure should be named 'Jihad Jyn.' This is absolutely unacceptable. This man baby has turned our hobby into a platform for airing out his own personal hangups with whatever group it happens to be - women, Muslims, homosexuals (http://www.jeditemplearchives.com/content/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=17413/#details) and anyone who disagrees with him. They're toys. They don't deserve the level of discord or frankly interest he assigns them and they certainly don't serve any purpose in any attack on someone's faith or sexuality. For the record, she's wearing a scarf. Women wear scarves. I accept Paul Harrison may not be familiar with such concepts. Paul Harrison is very familiar with commercializing and commodifying his brand of negativity regarding toys. Now it's mutated to people. And it's time for it stop.

Discrimination against anyone has no place in our hobby and has no place anywhere. Time for people to stand up and let him know that. Our hobby is meant to be a place of fun and escape and he has dragged it into the gutter. It's clear he won't give up these things he supposedly hates, because he's making too much money off it - he nakedly pursues reader financial support and has admitted to his obvious click baiting - so we need to be the ones to vote him off the island. He doesn't have to like what he sees but he doesn't have to spew this junk at people either. I could catalog all of his bizarre comments - from posting that Hasbro likely postponed what he thought was a lock stock and barrel exclusive Vintage styled line at TRU last fall simply to spite his website - but I think we have all seen and read enough of his shtick to know it doesn't represent us.

There is a lot of sexism, prejudice and anger in fandom right now from Star Wars to Ghostbusters and I'm here to tell Paul Harrison and whoever else needs telling that there's no place for it. Take your toys and go home.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Rob on July 15, 2016, 04:03 PM
Paul who?

Seriously, never heard of the guy.  I suppose as a show of solidarity, I'll continue to never visit JTA or know who he is.

The internet is a cesspool with good and bad apples floating around in it.  Collecting communities on the internet are no different.  I'm not trying to be dismissive of your point or request or observations, but best thing you could do is just not use sites like that and eventually all that'll be left there is people who do tolerate, or approve of that kind of behavior, and then they can have each other.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on July 15, 2016, 04:11 PM
I've tried, believe me. And I suppose it's my own fault for continuing to look in on the circus over there, but it would also be my fault if I ignored it and then let that type of behavior become the standard for this hobby. That's not me. If you let weeds grow you get more. I've considered leaving the hobby at various times, but I've decided it won't be because of people like him.

If it's not anyone else's fight or interest, totally get it. Had to say my 2 cents.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Matt R. on July 15, 2016, 04:16 PM
You can't have a "ambassador" for the hobby so he claims act like this...he has his right to his opinions but he acts that he speaks for the collectors.  It's does give us collectors a bad rep.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Ben on July 15, 2016, 04:26 PM
I wonder if this guy is the reason Hasbro no longer bothers with the great fan interaction they used to have. Going through some of the stuff he posts, and with this guy acting like he's the ambassador of all fandom, I don't blame them for giving up.

The Jihad Jyn thing is just disgusting, though. What kind of mind makes this connection?
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on July 15, 2016, 04:30 PM
He's definitely the reason they force all Q&A's to be recorded and probably why the interactions at Toy Fair are now group and not 1-1. Couple years back he posted his infamous Q&A where he reported - not verbatim - that Hasbro said they made 'enough' female figures. This became an internet firestorm we're still seeing the after effects of (Hasbro leads all of its promotional efforts with SW with female figures nowadays). Rather than stick to his guns on the story, he changed Hasbro's answer at their request (they claimed it wasn't representative of what they said). So his integrity is shot right there and relationships with fan sites have eroded since.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Dave on July 15, 2016, 04:49 PM
Paul who?

Seriously, never heard of the guy.  I suppose as a show of solidarity, I'll continue to never visit JTA or know who he is.

The internet is a cesspool with good and bad apples floating around in it.  Collecting communities on the internet are no different.  I'm not trying to be dismissive of your point or request or observations, but best thing you could do is just not use sites like that and eventually all that'll be left there is people who do tolerate, or approve of that kind of behavior, and then they can have each other.

Nailed it.

There are probably hundreds of web sites, podcasts, etc. devoted to Star Wars and I frequent a very small handful of them.  JTA is not one of the sites I visit.

I know I'm not likely to be the first to know anything with that attitude, but so far I'm managed to avoid most of the narcissistic morons in the collecting community and still feel reasonably well informed.

Sure he makes us look bad, but I'm sure there are another dozen morons waiting to take his place.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Rob on July 15, 2016, 04:57 PM
You can't have a "ambassador" for the hobby so he claims act like this...he has his right to his opinions but he acts that he speaks for the collectors.  It's does give us collectors a bad rep.

This is the type of notion that makes me queasy when it comes to this hobby.  For better or for worse, after 21 years I still enjoy collecting, but I can't stand half of the people who are into it. 

There aren't any ambassadors, authorities, or special people on these websites (except Jeff of course), we're all just a bunch of people with some amount of disposable income buying toys way past the age that we should be buying toys at.  The people who start feeling all self-important because they carved out a platform for themselves on the internet and then take it seriously enough to treat other people poorly or say stupid things like this Harrison guy are the worst kind of nonsense.  It's guys like him who make me happy I can buy this stuff online now instead of having to interact with people in toy aisles.

Enjoy it, or don't, but toy collecting isn't life or death, it's toys.  It should be fun and friendly or you should quit, immediately.

Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on July 15, 2016, 05:38 PM
Paul Harrison (not his real name, btw) is a clown.  I was surprised to see the article about the rumored Poe & Finn thing, but in a way I wasn't surprised to see that FROM HIM.  Mostly because it always seems that certain people exercise an extreme amount of disdain or loathing from that which they *MAY* see within themselves, and that's usually accompanied by this horrendous sort of overreaction.

Having worked on covering a couple of Toy Fairs with the aforementioned person, I got that vibe.  I've also heard tales of someone who *MAY HAVE* overheard PH commenting at another toy industry event about how tight another gentleman's trousers happened to be in the crotch area.  The term "package" may have even been used in that exchange, as the gentleman who was the object of this conversation was being objectified.  Hmmmm????  I am not one to judge homosexuals.  I count several gays and lesbians among some of my closest friends.  But if you're going on some social commentary tear about gay people, maybe you need to take a look in the mirror first.

As for the Jyn figure?  If it offends you SO MUCH little man-child, then GET THE **** OUT OF THE HOBBY.  She had that scarf in the trailer.  Where were your xenophobic comments then?  Don't try to turn a website about toys into the collecting equivalent of Fox News. 
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on July 15, 2016, 05:51 PM
I agree pretty much with everything Rob says - and Dave to some extent - but the only thing I'd add is that one reason Harrison is hard to ignore is the outsize influence he seems to have in the online community. The impact he's had on the dialogue between Hasbro and the fan sites at shows I mentioned earlier being the most obvious example. What had been a pretty informal and direct relationship is now pretty infrequent and corporate. Now some of that may be Disney. Could be. Things are different since the sale. But the change in behavior at the shows when it comes to access and Q&A's and how Hasbro chooses to unveil things can be traced directly back to the incident where he claimed they brushed off the idea they needed to make more female figures.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Scockery on July 15, 2016, 08:01 PM
I still loathe a certain somebody who not only advocated 5 POA but advocated the end of SA. No one drove him out of the hobby.  And frankly, the very idea is kind of absurd. Just ignore people you cannot stand.  (I'm probably on a few ignore lists).



Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: McMetal on July 15, 2016, 08:17 PM
Always hated that place for its sloppy, amateurish reporting, constant glad handing, and just a general overall junior high school level mentality.

But this goes beyond the pale even for him.

It's like, the more we see played out in the news every day the horrible effects of bigotry and ignorance, the more some people seem to want to cling to that inane bs.

Pure garbage, and offensive on every level.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Matt_Fury on July 17, 2016, 10:34 AM
This is the type of notion that makes me queasy when it comes to this hobby.  For better or for worse, after 21 years I still enjoy collecting, but I can't stand half of the people who are into it. 

It's ok Rob...we still like you no matter what you think of us.   ;D

In all seriousness...I'm just happy to see more SA figures.  Hopefully, I'll be able to find them on a peg somewhere!

Of all the various Star Wars sites....I visit one.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darth_Anton on July 17, 2016, 11:01 AM
Sounds ridiculous. I never heard of the guy either.

I clicked on the link, baited by the vague hope that this was more in regards to, in my opinion, a decline in quality in the line.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Rob on July 17, 2016, 11:47 AM
It's ok Rob...we still like you no matter what you think of us.   ;D

In all seriousness...I'm just happy to see more SA figures.  Hopefully, I'll be able to find them on a peg somewhere!

Of all the various Star Wars sites....I visit one.

The funny thing is that even for all the political nonsense over the years, I don't think there's anyone who frequents JD that I'm including in that.   :)
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: JediJman on July 21, 2016, 11:50 AM
I never go to JTA, but agree that this guys sounds like a tool.  Jeff will sometimes relay some of the idiocy over there and I'm halfway tempted to check them out just to catch some of the stupid things they say.  I know it will get me riled up though, so I just ignore them.  It reminds me of watching Jerry Springer in my youth. 
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: DoctorPadawan on July 22, 2016, 05:22 PM
I know I've been negative about Hasbro from time to time on this very forum over the years, but holy crap, I'm like a ray of sunshine compared to this PH guy. I don't really pay as much attention to things as I used to, so most of my awareness comes from seeing allusions the YF or JD Twitter accounts make, but the stuff mentioned in the first post is just way over the line in terms of human decency.

If the hobby bothers you that much, just quit. Go plant a tree or pick some flowers or something. Above all else, calm down, man. They're just toys.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on September 14, 2017, 06:37 PM
Bumping this as it, um, became relevant again today. Glad to see some folks pointing out JTA's hypocrisy and disgusting rhetoric on Twitter. You reap what you sow.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Rob on September 14, 2017, 06:45 PM
What happened?
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: CorranHorn on September 14, 2017, 06:51 PM
What happened?

What he said. What drama did the blowhards at JTA stir up this time?
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on September 14, 2017, 07:54 PM
Bumping this as it, um, became relevant again today. Glad to see some folks pointing out JTA's hypocrisy and disgusting rhetoric on Twitter. You reap what you sow.

It's astonishing that this guy refuses to acknowledge his role in bringing the level of discourse in the hobby down to such a vile level.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Rob on September 14, 2017, 08:26 PM
It's astonishing that this guy refuses to acknowledge his role in bringing the level of discourse in the hobby down to such a vile level.

I still don't know who this guy is or what he did now, but this is probably a good example of why I like our quiet little corner of this hobby right here. 
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on September 14, 2017, 08:48 PM
You are blessed.

I wouldn't have known about anything today if not for Twitter. In a nutshell, Paul Harrison posted a lengthy post asking people not to post derogatory comments - like the ones he routinely does. It's laudable, except he is the primary instigator in the toxic atmosphere at that site. It's his brand. So people came with receipts and he's getting called out for his hypocrisy.

Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on September 14, 2017, 09:12 PM
You are blessed.

I wouldn't have known about anything today if not for Twitter. In a nutshell, Paul Harrison posted a lengthy post asking people not to post derogatory comments - like the ones he routinely does. It's laudable, except he is the primary instigator in the toxic atmosphere at that site. It's his brand. So people came with receipts and he's getting called out for his hypocrisy.



You pointing out his Jyn Erso comments was a perfect illustration of his twisted double standards.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on September 14, 2017, 09:30 PM
I would have been more forgiving if he had said, I've participated in this in the past and I regret it. He didn't do that. He started calling people liars and his usual shtick. I know not everyone pays attention and like Rob said, it's great just to have this little corner of fandom that's quiet and considered, but some days it feels like this bro flake stuff is pushing us into a corner. This is our hobby. It's big, diverse, fun and it's about toys. It's not about anybody's political stances or personal insecurities.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on September 14, 2017, 09:38 PM
I would have been more forgiving if he had said, I've participated in this in the past and I regret it. He didn't do that. He started calling people liars and his usual shtick. I know not everyone pays attention and like Rob said, it's great just to have this little corner of fandom that's quiet and considered, but some days it feels like this bro flake stuff is pushing us into a corner. This is our hobby. It's big, diverse, fun and it's about toys. It's not about anybody's political stances or personal insecurities.

If you want your tweet to get a little more attention?  Copy @kelsey_wojdyla from Litzky PR.  They handle Hasbro's public relations.

Enough is enough.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on September 14, 2017, 09:50 PM
Thanks for the tip, I'll keep that in mind. I know someone tagged Hasbro in one of the tweets today.

I do think there should be some consideration on Hasbro's part re: his behavior. Harrison has been talking at Hascon about being an integral part of Hasbro's process and being part of some collector panel going forward. I don't think he's representative, not with his rhetoric. I'm sure his post today was motivated by trying to improve his optics as he improves his 'standing,' but it's disingenuous. He shouldn't have a seat at the table if he got there by fermenting a toxic environment in our hobby.

He's the same guy who misrepresented Hasbro's statement in a Q&A about female figures, and rode the resulting firestorm to a higher profile online even as he spouted his own misogny about 'recklessly bossy' female leads who were a product of Disney's SJW agenda.

Anyways. Thanks for the tip!
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on September 14, 2017, 10:21 PM
At some point he's going to be seen as more of a liability than an asset.  Seeing how his rhetoric is in direct conflict with what Lucasfilm wants to do when it comes to developing new entertainment and characters?  I don't see him winning that argument.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: McMetal on September 15, 2017, 08:53 AM
That was beyond asinine and another great example of why both he and that site JUST PLAIN SUCK.

When he brought the Nazis and alt-right into it, his agenda became pretty clear. That pathetic idiot has serious emotional problems.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on September 15, 2017, 12:46 PM
Quote
When he brought the Nazis and alt-right into it, his agenda became pretty clear.

Thankfully I missed this, though I'm not surprised. His issues are well known, and I pointed out some examples in this thread earlier. But his behavior extends much further than that, into conduct that's detrimental to the hobby and his peers. This is a guy who has touted for the return of SA / TVC 3.75 figures, railed against collectors for letting the format fail, as he routinely links to eBay auctions selling these figures out the back door. He huffs and puffs about other sites 'leaking' while he rarely gives proper attribution for scoops or discoveries other people made. His infamous Q&A where Hasbro 'felt they had made enough girl figures' resulted in every Q&A going forward being recorded. He never stood on his reporting, amending it to preserve his relationship with Hasbro, even as he benefited from the controversy that followed in terms of traffic and exposure.

I'm sure others have many other examples that speak to this, and maybe they'll share them.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Rob on September 15, 2017, 12:50 PM
You are blessed.

I wouldn't have known about anything today if not for Twitter. In a nutshell, Paul Harrison posted a lengthy post asking people not to post derogatory comments - like the ones he routinely does. It's laudable, except he is the primary instigator in the toxic atmosphere at that site. It's his brand. So people came with receipts and he's getting called out for his hypocrisy.

Yeah, I don't use Twitter either.  I think that was a good decision.  I'm weaning myself off of Facebook too - trying to work up the guts to just delete my account.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on September 15, 2017, 12:57 PM
I think back to him obnoxiously taking credit for the Vintage Collection returning in 2018.  As if all of his whinging and complaining were solely responsible for swaying Hasbro's decision making process to bring the line back.  It's that over the top bull**** that makes him unbearable purely in the realm of collecting. 

But when you add in all of the politics and his own personal issues that get trudged up in the followup to his articles?  Calling the comments section at JTA a dumpster fire would be an insult to dumpster fires everywhere.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Matt_Fury on September 15, 2017, 03:21 PM
Any of you have a link to this?  I'm not on twitter and I rarely go anywhere but JD when it comes to the hobby.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on September 15, 2017, 04:44 PM
JTA's post on commentary -

http://www.jeditemplearchives.com/2017-09-14-jta-public-service-announcement-cut-the-crap/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

My open field tackle of same -

https://twitter.com/DarbyHarn/status/908439859005739009

The Jyn comment what triggered this thread last year. Others have also thrown this back at him, at his own site.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Jesse James on September 15, 2017, 05:37 PM
What I lol'd at on the Jyn comment was some asshat saying "well that was posted without context!"

And yes it was taken out of the context it was posted...  but the context didn't improve it.

He said it because he was pissed off that Disney had another female lead and was railing about that, and then just decided to toss out a little intolerance of Muslims because the friggin character had a scarf on.  You cannot be a bigger example of "triggered" over something so petty and stupid.

Right, left, center...  it was just stupid to say.

His rebuttal?  "I won't apologize over my comment because it's against a religion that oppresses women and blah blah blah".  Nice spin attempt.  ::)

It's drama.  It's ignorance.  But there is a good bit more going on too.

There is the efforts by them personally shine a spotlight on leaking news in the lead up to Force FridayII, for social media leaks but also to throw under the bus peers in the collecting site world.  that was some pretty petty stuff in and of itself.  But then with every story they'd post how they'd rumored it or whatever first...  so openly admitting you leaked things too but wanting a crackdown on others?  Just petty middle school stuff.  It was embarrassing that Hasbro was even contacted over it directly, bu they were.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on October 24, 2017, 08:23 PM
The self-appointed head of the Star Wars chapter of the he-man woman haters club is at it again (http://www.jeditemplearchives.com/content/modules.php?name=JReviews&rop=showcontent&id=3076). 

I recall seeing some things on social media within the past week about how people are perceiving the new era of Star Wars as more inclusive, and viewing it as a positive step forward for the franchise.  But I'm also thinking that the JTA misogynist man-child saw something similar, and needed to lash out with another poorly written temper tantrum.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on October 24, 2017, 09:10 PM
The only positive thing about all of this is that the reaction on social media seems to be more robust than it was before. His panicked and paranoid insecurity about women has no place in fandom. If you don't like it, don't watch it. Don't buy the toys. Don't kiss Hasbro's ass, knowing they occupy the polar opposite political position on this.

On that note, Hasbro needs to cut this loser loose. It is unacceptable for Hasbro to interact with a site that continues to promote such exclusive, outdated and harmful rhetoric. They're toys, man. TOYS.

ETA: I wanted to add also that it's not right that Hasbro penalizes some sites for 'leaks' while JTA continues the same practice without penalty. JTA clearly uses their relationship with certain sponsors to dole out information prior to its being publicly announced (in some cases only by hours). I don't know why Hasbro persists in any relationship with Paul Harrison after the infamous Q&A, cited before, where he misrepresented their response to a question on female action figures (irony alert).
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Diddly on October 24, 2017, 09:33 PM
This is like the Star Wars Sithposting meme group on Facebook come to life, except it isn't a joke.

On that note, Hasbro needs to cut this loser loose. It is unacceptable for Hasbro to interact with a site that continues to promote such exclusive, outdated and harmful rhetoric. They're toys, man. TOYS.

They support JTA, yet cut ties with Jayson and Yakface. Makes total sense.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on October 24, 2017, 10:09 PM
So the man child is aware of the uproar his comments have stirred up.  And the only place where that coward wants to discuss things IS ON HIS OWN WEBSITE. You know, the one where he routinely deletes the comments from people whose criticism he doesn’t like. 
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on October 24, 2017, 10:18 PM
Internet boob doesn't understand how internet works. Film at 11.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Jesse James on October 25, 2017, 12:53 AM
The self-appointed head of the Star Wars chapter of the he-man woman haters club is at it again (http://www.jeditemplearchives.com/content/modules.php?name=JReviews&rop=showcontent&id=3076). 

I recall seeing some things on social media within the past week about how people are perceiving the new era of Star Wars as more inclusive, and viewing it as a positive step forward for the franchise.  But I'm also thinking that the JTA misogynist man-child saw something similar, and needed to lash out with another poorly written temper tantrum.

Dude went from a toy review to a tirade about how Rey "doesn't force right!" In under a minute haha.

I particularly liked his lashing out at social media saying to come "fight" him at his site...  talk about someone needing a safe space and control, hah.

He's definitely got some issues that permeate every aspect of his life.  I can't say that I'm dwelling on my political views when I'm thinking about Star Wars crap but to each their own.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on October 25, 2017, 06:37 AM
Yeah.  The complete lack of any sense that TFA was the first chapter in a trilogy seems to be lost on this dimwit.  Along with the fact that Reys story will only continue to unfold as we move forward through Episodes 8 and 9.

LOL at the whole "safe space" thing.  He feels comfortable labeling people who criticize his rants as "SJW's", but will only engage them on his own site.  Hmmmm, I wonder why?

My theory?  That he's a weasel by trade.  And that trade may involve a career outside of the SW collecting community, in some administrative job for some corporation who has rules about how its employees use social media.  So does a Star Wars collecting site fall outside of the boundaries of corporate social media policies?  And do those rules also govern their employees hiding behind pen names to mask their questionable conduct?  Hmmmmm...

A quote from an esteemed business executive on a related note?  "Human Resources is neither human, nor a resource".

I also found it incredibly laughable watching some of the video from NYCC where Hasbro sat down to talk with collector sites.  This clown is all fired up on his own site, but completely spineless when he has face time with Hasbro.  When he does interact with them?  He's either ratting other people out in order to make himself look better, or presenting incredibly stupid ideas like "making an all new Paploo from the ground up" when he does get to talk with Hasbro one on one.  FFS...

Meanwhile, he fails miserably at trying to channel someone like Adam May by trying to incorporate song lyrics into his writing.  I heard once upon a time when the man child was first getting into writing for a site how he idolized people like Adam May and Dan Curto.  He sucked up to them to no end.  It was actually kind of sad to watch.  In some cases he got to know the people writing for a number of sites.  And by all accounts, he has burned many a bridge with people all over the SW collecting community.

Now?  He's trying to burn bridges with society, it would seem.  Because Lucasfilm is going in a direction that he doesn't want.  If it really offends his delicate sensibilities so much?  Why still consider yourself a fan?
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on October 25, 2017, 10:17 AM
Part of me still wonders how sincere or authentic any of his behavior is; I've thought for a while that it might be just for the traffic it generates. Like you said, with Hasbro he's one way, behind the computer he's another. Maybe it's all performative. Could be wrong. He might just hate women. Debating Rey's merits as a character is one thing; but it's not about whether she's a good character or not. It's about the fact that he has a sustained, documented history of bigotry and misogyny toward women and minorities. Rose. Jyn. Rey.

You reap what you sew.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on October 25, 2017, 10:30 AM
Maybe it's all performative. Could be wrong. He might just hate women.

DING, DING, DING!

I think you nailed it on the head.  And it may be in more ways than one.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Rob on October 25, 2017, 10:36 AM
What a chode.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Jeff on October 25, 2017, 10:38 AM
In some cases he got to know the people writing for a number of sites.  And by all accounts, he has burned many a bridge with people all over the SW collecting community.

The number of good people and/or sites in the collecting community that he has thrown under the bus to advance his own site is staggering.


You reap what you sew.

"Do good things and good things happen to you"

(https://jedidefender.com/jsmentek/mynameisearl.jpg)
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: P-Siddy on October 25, 2017, 11:23 AM
I'm just surprised that Hasbro/Disney/LFL haven't cracked down on these rants.  An owner of a fan site will have opinions about characters, but I don't see the hate spouted off about them at every chance they get.  I mean if they are banning sites for compiling a list for product coming out on FF (I really don't know the reasons, but I'm assuming), then having the talking head of a site using racial, misogynistic, and other descriptors toward your product should have you taken down without hesitation. 

All it's going to take is for someone to hashtag (or link, I'm no expert on this) the right person at Disney, LFL, or mainstream media to see this.  We saw how quickly the flames spread when some famous person saw a 6" Slave Leia.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Matt_Fury on October 25, 2017, 11:25 AM
Why do people go to his web site again?
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on October 25, 2017, 11:30 AM
I guess some of them actually LIKE to be angry.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on October 25, 2017, 11:37 AM
Quote
All it's going to take is for someone to hashtag (or link, I'm no expert on this) the right person at Disney, LFL, or mainstream media to see this.  We saw how quickly the flames spread when some famous person saw a 6" Slave Leia.

I have been and others @ Hasbro on this for the last couple instances; it's failed to gain any traction so far. I'll keep doing it. The optics of having this guy at a table discussing the brand and its future should be horrifying for a company that promotes inclusiveness. It's gone beyond this guy is just grumpy or 'I hate the sequels.' Plenty hated the prequels and it was never a toxic thing (well...). This behavior stems from a larger, cultural issue that I'll walk around here to keep on track, but is infecting our hobby.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: JediJman on October 25, 2017, 12:18 PM
Part of me still wonders how sincere or authentic any of his behavior is; I've thought for a while that it might be just for the traffic it generates. Like you said, with Hasbro he's one way, behind the computer he's another. Maybe it's all performative. Could be wrong. He might just hate women. Debating Rey's merits as a character is one thing; but it's not about whether she's a good character or not. It's about the fact that he has a sustained, documented history of bigotry and misogyny toward women and minorities. Rose. Jyn. Rey.

I'm thinking the same thing.  He's just saying controversial things to drive traffic.  If you say something ridiculous and get people bantering back and forth, that drives up his site hits.   Of course he wants to argue it on his site - more traffic all the way around and he has the added benefit of controlling the conversation.  I really wouldn't be surprised to find that some of the comments against his position are really just him with a different handle as well.  The guy reeks of Palpatine pitting people against each other for reasons completely unrelated to his true motives.  If people really want this guy to go away, just stop going to the site.  I rarely ever visit JTA, but they got me for one hit today as curiosity got the best of me.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on October 25, 2017, 12:27 PM
I agree that there's an innate need for attention at the heart of all of this, negative or otherwise.  But the WAY he says some of this?  There seems to be some genuine belief behind it.  This isn't like a professional wresting work.  And you can usually see through a good deal of trolling.  In this case though, there's legit belief and anger.  And it's come up in a lot of ways with this clown in the past.  That's part of what makes this so ugly.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Dave on October 25, 2017, 12:38 PM
Just read his rant.  Its sad really.  He is complaining about plot and story development (which is fair), but then blames it on Disney's need to promote a female character.  Would the plot and story development be magically better if Rey was a male character?  Um, no.  We saw this with Episode 1.  Having young Anakin and Jar-Jar be male didn't save that story.

His sexism is transparent and juvenile.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on October 25, 2017, 01:57 PM
Quote
His sexism is transparent and juvenile.

Preach.

I don't feel its necessary to acknowledge Harrison's argument, but Jesse had some great tweets last night that I chimed in on that I feel speak to the fallacy of Harrison's thinking.

Is Rey a Mary Sue? Objectively no. Things Rey did not do in TFA:

Did not win a pod race at 9.
Did not destroy an enemy flagship at 9.
Did not become a Jedi padawan at 9.
Did not destroy a Death Star in a single shot.
Did not rescue a princess from said Death Star.

Rey only rescued herself in TFA, which seems to be the real sin.

ETA: A lot - I mean A LOT - of people have an issue with her defeating Kylo Ren. Kylo is manifestly powerful. He is also arrogant and worst of all, ignorant. He makes a near fatal mistake engaging her at all in combat. He is seriously wounded, emotionally and mentally out of balance and facing an opponent as driven by anger and fear as he is. Perhaps more so. He then goes and suggests to her in the middle of the fight that she's not even really using her full potential. She promptly does, and makes him look like the fool he is. Is Rey stronger in the force than say Luke was in ANH? Probably. The latest TLJ trailer seems to acknowledge this. I guarantee this doesn't bother Luke ******* Skywalker, so I don't know why it should anyone else.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Matt_Fury on October 25, 2017, 03:06 PM
ETA: A lot - I mean A LOT - of people have an issue with her defeating Kylo Ren. Kylo is manifestly powerful. He is also arrogant and worst of all, ignorant. He makes a near fatal mistake engaging her at all in combat. He is seriously wounded, emotionally and mentally out of balance and facing an opponent as driven by anger and fear as he is. Perhaps more so. He then goes and suggests to her in the middle of the fight that she's not even really using her full potential. She promptly does, and makes him look like the fool he is. Is Rey stronger in the force than say Luke was in ANH? Probably. The latest TLJ trailer seems to acknowledge this. I guarantee this doesn't bother Luke ******* Skywalker, so I don't know why it should anyone else.

Also, don't forget that Kylo (Ben), isn't trying to kill her....he's trying to recruit her.  Also, there's been a lot of talk about her being so adept in the force by the time of that fight.  Remember, when Kylo (Ben) is probing her mind, she's able to see into his as well.  What else did she pull out of his head other than his grandpa fandom?
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on October 25, 2017, 03:31 PM
Quote
Also, don't forget that Kylo (Ben), isn't trying to kill her....he's trying to recruit her.

This. He could have killed her outright - and Finn - and chose not to.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: P-Siddy on October 25, 2017, 03:42 PM
I won't quote your post, Darby, but it's spot on. 

I don't get the "how is she so powerful to use Jedi mind tricks (or what have you)" argument.  We don't even know Rey's past except she was dumped on Jakku.  Her vision of the slaughter of the Jedi suggests that she might have been there when it happened, so she might have some training, no matter how little of using the Force.  Her life on Jakku suggests that she's had to defend herself with that staff.  When Luke Skywalker is mentioned, Rey's eyes light up, so she knows about him.  Perhaps she's heard tales of Jedi's powers, of mind tricks and decides to try it out on Starkiller Base (after her mind battle with Kylo Ren) and it works.  Not too hard to believe... especially since she fails on the first attempt.

As for the lightsaber battle, everyone says Kylo is a Sith master.  Nowhere in the movie (I don't delve into books, etc) does it say he is a bona fide Sith apprentice.  He's under Snoke's tutelage.  There's no mention of how many lightsaber battles he's had with others that have had training.  All we know is he slaughters defenseless old men and maybe a Jedi (or perhaps a padawan who has less or equal experience than he.

Of course, this is all conjecture at the moment until TLJ enlightens us on some things.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on October 25, 2017, 03:50 PM
There's no mention of how many lightsaber battles he's had with others that have had training.  All we know is he slaughters defenseless old men and maybe a Jedi (or perhaps a padawan who has less or equal experience than he.

All of this and I've recently begun to wonder what Kylo's role in the actual attack on the temple was. We know he turned, and betrayed Luke, but I've been having a hard time visualizing him leading an attack against numerous Jedi disciples (of varying skill) that apparently Luke was also present for. The TLJ trailer at least suggests Luke was there, and if he was, then Kylo would have been in a similar situation with Rey, but worse. So there are some missing pieces for sure.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Jesse James on October 25, 2017, 09:26 PM
Here's how I view Rey and it's kind of a more elaborate bit of my Tweets that Darb mentioned...

Rey, Finn, they're kids who've only experienced the OT as a fairy tale.  Especially in their respective forms of seclusion.  The title of the film, the behavior of the characters (new ones), is all about this awakening.  For Finn it's a moral awakening (assuming he's not forcy), and for Rey, it's the series of events that lead her to "THE Han Solo", someone she's only heard of in stories, and who she seems to revere in some fashion.  To them though, things like the Force and the previous wars, they're tales...  Not real even, in some cases, but Han sets them straight.  I feel that's the first "awakening" of the Force in Rey, but it goes further on to her interaction with Maz and the Saber, then her ultimate initial meeting with Kylo Ren (someone she may or may not have a strong link to, in one way or another). 

I really feel like he unlocks something in her when he tries probing her mind...  That obviously goes to ****, for him, and she fights back...  how does that happen?  Who knows.  She "feels it"?  Whatever, she feels an ability to resist, and she does.  She's been told the force is true, and she's now feeling the force within her, in her ability to resist Kylo Ren's interrogation stuff.

She's possibly heard of the mind tricks, and things, that these fabled people were able to do...  She's seen she can resist Kylo when she tries.  Why not try something else?  She even has a "holy crap that worked!?" look after she tricked the trooper.  Abrams couldn't make this stuff more obvious to the viewer if he'd diagrammed it.

OK, so flash forward...  She's in the woods, she immediately loses her first attempt at fighting Kylo, and loses bad.  Finn tries, loses.  He has the physical ability to fight.  He's trained to fight (Rey's seemingly learned how to do that in her years spent on Jakku as well), and Finn bests Kylo slightly because Ren seems to view him as worthless, but ultimately pisses him off and loses to him.

OK, Rey's waking up...  she sees someone she's grown to care about and love.  She's someone who's been abandoned and doesn't take relationships lightly I imagine, and she sees Finn lying there possibly dead.  The force awakens, but what finally opens it completely?  Not something good.  It gives her strength, she fights Kylo, it's relatively evenly matched but like was said, Kylo is arrogant, he's ignorant, and he loses ultimately.  People seem to be willingly ignoring that Kylo Ren is apparently powerful but he's still a newbie too.  That's even confirmed when he's requested to be brought back for his training to be completed.

So there's Rey, she "wins", but it's an emotion-filled, uncontrolled one.  It's Luke when he goes from farmboy, to sniper, after seeing Kenobi cut down.  He'd have stayed, and likely died at the hands of Vader, had he not listened to the spirit in his head.  She wins, but it's not like she knows what she's doing.  She knows she doesn't know what she's doing.  I think the argument could even be made that it's the "will of the force" that the planet cracked open at that moment and separated them at the end.

OK, so putting aside the entire "I hate girls, and don't like when they're allowed to play in Star Wars" side bull**** that sparked all this, the only actual discussion going on about the movie here is why does/doesn't JTA blow as a film...  Trying to distance the topic from misogynistic overtones that have no place int he conversation, I feel then that the argument that Rey is a "Mary Sue" (I have no idea WTF that even means or what that comes from.  I'm old?) is as easily arguable/debatable as pointing out that Luke is the same level of ability without training.  Likewise, so is Anakin.

So is almost any origin story of any force-sensitive character in any media format in Star Wars lore.  It's fiction, who the hell cares, right?  Right.  You can't "force wrong".  There isn't some black/white definition that this is how this works and it works exactly the same for everyone.  That's dumb.  And Disney bought this not to make films of the books from the 90s, so get over that ****, it's a ship that has sailed.

I don't have daughters.  My girlfriend is only passively interested in Star Wars at all, and it doesn't really matter to me about the character being a girl or a boy.  If having it be a girl opens Star Wars to more people, and makes it more inclusive, I can't see how that would upset you.  Likewise, I think all the arguments being made to why Rey isn't a good character are stupid beyond belief, and she's every bit as good or believable a character as Luke or Anakin were...  To me, that argument implies you're either blind to how much you actually should hate the other two trilogies, or you're being a dick because she's a girl.  She's doing nothing more expertly or quickly than the aforementioned have done.  Luke blocking lasers like a ninja to Anakin being a 9 y/o Wunderkind.  On top of all this, there are two more movies to "explain" stuff too, which aren't even out yet.  Good lord.

Regarding how much he believes his own bull**** over yonder?

I don't have a clue there...  He does sometimes strike me as a talking head who says outrageous **** because he knows it gets him attention.  He's also catering to a distinct audience that agrees with him though, so it's not hard for me to accept that he's totally believing the stupidity he spews forth.  There are ample supporters in his echo chamber of sanctimony.

I can't say I care if you like TFA or not.  It made $.  It continues to make $.  8 will make $.  9 will make $.  I didn't like a lot about the PT but still enjoyed them I guess, and I don't care who likes Star Wars or not.  Quite frankly if less people did it'd make going to the movies easier for me, haha.  I thought Rogue One might be a smaller crowd and opening, but it was just as nuts.

One thing I will say though, there do seem to be a LOT of Star Wars "fans" who are only happy when it rains.  I'd rather escape politics and life when I'm watching a movie, not inherently go into it hating Disney, and thus hating Star Wars now.  The fact that there is a Star Wars facet to discuss here is the only thing that really interests me.  The whole woman-hating thing is just gross to see.

BTW, a woman character was leading the Death Troopers on Rebels Monday...  I can almost hear the triggered rage across the state.  ::)
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on October 26, 2017, 12:39 AM
All of this.

I have nothing to add, except that if you as a SW fan are so threatened by a woman of power or strength, then what was Princess Leia to you? And if she was nothing, then you are not a fan. You never were.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on October 26, 2017, 09:52 AM
Getting this out of the way first?  I dislike the fact that we're having this conversation because of some fringe, misogynistic clownshoe like the attention whore over at JTA.  That being said...


I was not really familiar with the whole concept of a "Mary Sue".  I had to look it up.  Yeah.  That made me feel old.  I eschew the notion that Rey is a "Mary Sue".  Notably because the term is usually applied to characters in fan fiction.  And I think that's an insult to talented writers like Lawrence Kasdan and J.J. Abrams.  As for the questions dredged up by the jta troll?

THE FORCE AWAKENS is very much an origin story.  I think Jesse made some valid points about the characters.  When it comes to Rey and her arc?  First, we've really only seen a small part of her story.  There is clearly a lot that remains to be revealed about Reys past as well as her future.  What we do know?  She's a survivor.  Based on the day marks she keeps on the wall of her AT-AT home she has been there for a long time.  Her time scavenging the junkyard of Jakku has made her technically adept, and she has to be reasonably streetwise to deal with someone like Unkar Plutt who appears to be the only source for food at the Niima outpost.  And he seems content to let her starve.

Based purely on the timeline of the movie?  Reys awakening took place some time between her meeting BB-8 and the events on the freighter Eravana.  Because it was after Rey, Finn, BB-8, Han Solo and Chewbacca escaped on the Millennium Falcon that Snoke asked Kylo Ren if he had felt the awakening.  Rey's ability to navigate her way through the escape from Jakku to the encounter with the gangs and Rathtars on Han Solo's freighter was almost certainly assisted by some Force ability.

And then there are the other pivotal scenes in the awakening.  First, Rey sensing the call of the Skywalker lightsaber in Maz's castle dungeon.  That plus her Force vision upon touching the hilt were a tremendous step forward in her Force awakening.  She saw Cloud City and the burning Jedi Temple along with a mourning Luke Skywalker.  I think it's fair to say that she had never been to either place.  But where does that vision crossover from vision to flashback?  Was Rey present during the rain storm where Kylo Ren ran through the clan leader?  I've seen speculation that the clan leader was a protector who was cut down by Kylo Ren and the Knights of Ren, to that same clan leader trying to attack Rey and Kylo Ren stopping that from happening.  I think this moment is something we may see revisited and is specific to Rey.  Because Kylo Ren seems fixated on finding her when he asked that First Order Officer "What girl?"  We also see Rey having a real memory as the starship takes off from Jakku, leaving her with Unkar Plutt.  And then the vision moves forward to a premonition as Rey sees the snowy forest of Starkiller base.  And during the entire vision she also hears the voices of Luke, Palpatine, Yoda and Obi-Wan Kenobi.

This was not a good moment for Rey.  Her reaction is that of someone who's traumatized.  Maz recognizes how overwhelmed she is and tries to comfort her.  But she's also honest with her and trying to show her a way forward.  Rey won't have it. She rejects Maz and runs off into the forest.  Then when there are First Order Stormtroopers coming after her?  Rey doesn't know what to do at first.  But then she fights.  Her reaction to her first action on Takodana is notable.  Rey is scared.  She fumbles with the blaster.  And she was initially horrified that she killed that Stormtrooper.  But she also realizes quickly that she has to fight or die.  But when she encounters Kylo Ren?  She's terrified.  Especially when he uses his Force abilities to keep her from moving.  That is not the reaction of some super-powered, overly idealized character.

The other key awakening moment is the interrogation on Starkiller base.  Kylo Ren's probing of Reys thoughts had completely unintended consequences as she turned it back against him.  Rey gained insight into Kylo Rens thoughts, along with his fears.  Here I think there's some ground for speculation.  Did Rey gain all of her insights into the Force from reading Kylo Ren's thoughts?  Or did he unlock something that was already there?  Is it also possible that she was cut off from the Force, a la Darth Revan, and Kylo Ren unlocked a door?  Because right after this she was able to use the Jedi mind trick on the Daniel Craig FO Stormtrooper.

There's also what we've seen in the new trailer.  When Luke says something about how he's scared of the raw power he sees?  I think he might be talking about Rey.  And that raw power may also be why Rey was able to overcome a wounded Kylo Ren at Starkiller base.

Looking through this all?  Rey is not a perfect character.  And her flaws are there if you know where to look.  She's fearful of being abandoned.  She has a sense of wanting to belong to something.  And she doesn't fully grasp what's happening to her.  But she also has some positives:  kindness, an ability to work hard, and to stand up and fight even when she's afraid.  I think this makes her a fairly well realized character, and far from what the jta misgynist wants to depict her as.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Dave on October 26, 2017, 11:53 AM
I was ignorant and read the definition of a Mary Sue as well - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Sue (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Sue)

It really comes down to how you split hairs comparing an idealized Mary Sue and a classic "hero".  Hero's by definition end up doing some amazing things, but the heroes in Star Wars tend to be flawed or come from flawed origins.  I would hesitate to call any of them "Mary Sue" as they weren't groomed at early ages.  The main theme in Star Wars (Anakin, Luke, Rey) is that their powers are more awakenings than anything.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on October 26, 2017, 12:15 PM
The Mary Sue thing is simply a slur directed at Rey (and any female character) by men threatened by their agency.

Quote
Getting this out of the way first?  I dislike the fact that we're having this conversation because of some fringe, misogynistic clownshoe like the attention whore over at JTA.  That being said...

I'm amazed at the level of intelligent, thoughtful discussion here - on the internet! - about this subject. It's one of the reasons I joined JD in the first place, many, MANY moons ago. You'll always have trolls, but they seem to get bigger, and louder, and dumber.

Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on October 26, 2017, 12:29 PM
The Mary Sue thing is simply a slur directed at Rey (and any female character) by men threatened by their agency.

Quote
Getting this out of the way first?  I dislike the fact that we're having this conversation because of some fringe, misogynistic clownshoe like the attention whore over at JTA.  That being said...

I'm amazed at the level of intelligent, thoughtful discussion here - on the internet! - about this subject. It's one of the reasons I joined JD in the first place, many, MANY moons ago. You'll always have trolls, but they seem to get bigger, and louder, and dumber.



Perhaps it's time to bring the behavior of the troll to the attention of the trolls advertisers?
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Diddly on October 27, 2017, 12:22 AM
That was the best part of the comments section (besides the trolls flooding it with Meatspin gifs... don't Google that if you don't know what it is), the guy who pointed out that Anakin is just as much of a "Mary Sue" as Rey is, and Harrison dismissing that because "Anakin is the Chosen One!"
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on October 27, 2017, 12:27 AM
I just want to say that I did not see the comments before they were closed, but Jesse told me what happened, and that was the biggest laugh I've had in forever. Pure, solid gold.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Jesse James on October 27, 2017, 02:47 AM
Lol @ "Meatspin".  Really?  The internet never fails to surprise.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on October 27, 2017, 06:44 AM
Lol @ "Meatspin".  Really?  The internet never fails to surprise.

Yeah, it was really something to see!  Although who knows how it was REALLY received by Paul?  LOL!

The funniest thing was probably his response to the trolling along with the threats:  "I'm going to call the FBI on you!  I've got your IP addresses and email addresses!  Don't you know there are children visiting this site?"

The FBI claim was beyond ludicrous.  And his whole thing about children?  Funny, since he is the person most likely to post something that's going to leave kids emotionally scarred...
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Jesse James on October 27, 2017, 01:35 PM
Hell I thought kids didn't buy Star Wars toys, only 40-something's keep the line going.

The FBI one had me rolling laughing.  I'd like to have been there to hear their reaction to his request.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: P-Siddy on October 27, 2017, 04:28 PM
Meatspin?  I saw the "aftermath" of that... the threats of reports, but never saw the gifs.  Perhaps I'm better off.

And the comments thread is now closed.  I guess Paul realized he might be in trouble if people pass the comments along to important people.  So much for coming to his site and debate things. 

I appreciate everyone's insight on here.  It's been spot on and the dialogue mature.  I'm glad that we keep a classy joint here at JD.

Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on October 27, 2017, 06:29 PM
Hmmmm?  I wonder.....
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Jesse James on October 27, 2017, 09:50 PM
Now I do too.  Hmmm

Oh I'm all for immature discussion, but being just a general nut, attacking other people's likes constantly, intolerance and a general anti-inclusion stance?  That stuff just sucks.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: JediJman on November 2, 2017, 01:34 PM
Quote
Also, don't forget that Kylo (Ben), isn't trying to kill her....he's trying to recruit her.

This. He could have killed her outright - and Finn - and chose not to.

Not to disregard all the great arguments and theories put out there about Kylo's motivations and Rey's abilities, but I really think people are over thinking it.  Ben is struggling with the light vs. the dark after just killing his dad AND he was just shot square in the chest by Chewie's bowcaster AND he's out in a blizzard without his cold weather gear.  That's really more than enough rationale to not win a knockdown with a scavenger/loner/force-user fighting for her life. 
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Darby on November 2, 2017, 04:10 PM
Yeah, I spoke to those points in a prior post:

Quote
He makes a near fatal mistake engaging her at all in combat. He is seriously wounded, emotionally and mentally out of balance and facing an opponent as driven by anger and fear as he is.

There is too much thinking/arguing about it, probably. But it's Star Wars, so the amount of thought that goes into any aspect of the franchise is disproportionate to the amount of relevance it has.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on November 15, 2017, 11:26 AM
Jedi Temple Alt-Right is at it again, with yet another review that has little to do with talking about toys.  This guy is like a broken record...
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on April 17, 2018, 08:19 AM
Oh, this just gets better....

So they ran a Christmas contest, and people still haven't received their prizes.

And now it's April.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Matt_Fury on April 17, 2018, 11:32 AM
Is there a rising tide of anger?  A link to something we could read perhaps?


I love schadenfreude.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on June 1, 2018, 11:55 AM
A small but incremental point of progress:

@BigBadToyStore on Twitter: 
"Our focus is toys, action figures, and the entertainment properties we love. We are not interested in controversial political or social commentary and are discontinuing advertising with JTA." (https://twitter.com/BigBadToyStore/status/1002571739971219457)
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: GrandMoffNick on June 1, 2018, 12:02 PM
Nice
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: P-Siddy on June 1, 2018, 01:46 PM
Maybe more sponsors will leave and Hasbro revokes their privilege card?  Good for BBTS.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: McMetal on June 1, 2018, 03:01 PM
Man, this day just gets better and better!

An unexpected but outstanding move by BBTS. I applaud their integrity.

Countdown to petulant retaliatory flaming in 3...2...1
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on June 1, 2018, 03:12 PM
Man, this day just gets better and better!

An unexpected but outstanding move by BBTS. I applaud their integrity.

Countdown to petulant retaliatory flaming in 3...2...1

Now that they’re going to lose an income stream?  I imagine there’s a good deal of internal bickering between the chief offender at JTA and the other owner who keeps a lower profile.

I’ve also heard that at some convention appearances the two of them were at odds, and their interactions were described as “bickering”.  I wonder why?!?!  ;)
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Jesse James on June 1, 2018, 03:18 PM
Oh snap!  Well hey he brought that on himself.  It’s ****** constant.

And he’s got no real reason to complain people focused on him either.  He’s the guy saying there should be some hierarchy in website interaction with Hasbro and a lot of places should be kicked off that list.  That’s a pretty troll move on his part, and shows he’s just a prick really.
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Nicklab on June 2, 2018, 07:42 PM
Dorkside Toys dropped JTA, too.  Evidently they got flooded with emails and messages on social media imploring them to cut ties, also. 
Title: Re: Taking Back Our Hobby
Post by: Jesse James on June 2, 2018, 10:20 PM
Oof, yeah that was one of their more constantly advertised stores ok their front page too.

Oh well there are always amazon and eBay affiliate links you can exploit without ever publicly stating your “news” is really just a sponsor link shilling **** to your readers.

#MoralLowGround