The fad mentality

Let's talk a bit about тransformaтanks; but before I start, I want to make it absolutely clear that I do not see myself as occupying some moral high ground or expanded perspective of things- this is just what I think.

тransformaтanks (the special 'т' is very important) are microscale hybrid driving/walking tanks that are built like this. Here is the original model, uploaded by вrickart!san (one of the more talented thirteen year-olds around):



This is the only image provided, and it gets quite reduced here and on the main flickr page, so jump to here to get a better look at it. It's pretty good, isn't it? It has a sort of hunkered-down aesthetic presented in a somewhat abstract style, as many micro models are wont to be. And, of course, it uses an ingenious technique for the treads. I like it. So did Geoff:



There are a few small differences- narrower body, top turret, different colourscheme- but the base is the same. However, Geoff managed to pack more detail into the model, and that struck a chord with his viewers. Over the course of a couple of days, several other variants showed up, and by the third or fourth, there was a flickr group (wheee, it's a fad now, boys).



There's the history lesson out of the way- what's my point? I guess it's that I'm suspicious of the motives here. Maybe I'm assuming the worst of people, but it feels like some guys are in it just for the sake of being in it, and gaining that recognition. Of course, this applies to most fads (we should make a list of them all). I think some people join not to challenge themselves and see where they can take the concept, but to take the chance at only half-developing a model and delivering it to an established fanbase.

Hm. Maybe Jordan will have something more interesting to say tomorrow.