Wow. I feel sorry for whoever sent that E-Mail.

1) If that guy is angry at those "bullies", he doesn't show it. I wonder why he would shift the blame entirely to you...

2) I dunno.

3) I like Bionicle, and I'm well over 7-9. I was hooked in 2001, and I'm glad I stumbled into the world of Mata-Nui. Sure, I don't obsess over it as much as I used to, but it still holds my interest.

The only thing that would actually be left in our culture would be a cardboard box, as everything else offends someone. Even the box may not last.

All I can say is I don't think it's your fault at all Greg. That's how high school is unfortunately. People only care about fitting in the crowd. They have no respect for people's interests. I'm 14, and I only have a month of elementary school left. I have some friends who mock me for liking Bionicle. They tell me that I have to stop before I start high schoool. All I tell them is that it's my decision and I'm happy with it. I know many people would make fun of me, so I don't scream out to the world I like Bionicle. It's not like I keep it a secret, I'm just a quiet person. This person obviously got into some trouble with a group of kids that started to make fun of him. I'm pretty sure he knew this would happen if he got interested in Bionicle during high school, so it's pretty much his fault. I'm not saying he did bad, but I'm saying that his older brother shouldn't be blaming you.

It's not yor fault, Lego's, or the kid's. It's the bully's fault for being such an bozo. I canno say there is anything else that I hae more than people who believe everyone should behave and act like them.

It's really sickening.

I do feel sorry for this kid's brother, but if he is obsessed, then that is a paternal problem, not Lego. And he should complain to the school, not you.

To be honest, it is not your fault at all. Just because BIONICLE made his brother become obessed does not mean it is automatically because of LEGO.

Personally, BIONICLE is a hobby. If somebody likes something, they should not attempt to control them, unless they are going too far.

So to whoever it was who sent this, it is not our fault at all. It is nobody's fault. Your brother likes BIONICLE, and you should attempt to encourage him to being less obsessive, rather then blaming everything on BIONICLE.

~ Bioran

Wow. I feel sorry for whoever sent that E-Mail.

I don't. While I do feel sorry for the guy's little brother, my sympathy doesn't extend to the guy who sent the PM. He should not blame Bionicle for all the bad stuff that happens in the world....As Greg said, there wouldn't be much left in culture if we took away anything that could absorb people.

Ah -- these are those people who want Uncle Sam to be a surrogate parent. It's never the family's fault, or the people's who harassed him fault. It must be the creator of the entertainment! Of course!

Seriously, that's one of the few things I like about my school: if you like something completely different than everyone else (in my case, it's usually music taste), no one says anything against you and they accept it. My thoughts? Someone over there better start taking care of their peers/friends/whatever, not blaming an entertainment company.

That truly is horrible. I know from first-hand experience that people can be cruel to others for their hobbies and talents and interests, but being beat up for that is just insane. But this has no right being directed at you. This should have been taken to the principal of the school. And, obviously, if the bullies beat him up, they obviously knew of his interests and obviously had been a problem for a while (he would of have to have noticed that they knew he liked Bionicles). While it's not a problem liking Bionicles, there is such a thing as an addict. Whether or not this boy was an addict to Bionicle, I do not know. But either way, the actions, blaming, and whole issue is totally uncalled for.

^TZT^

There are some people who also manage to think that intelligence is a flaw. I never understood that. "Oh, I'll bet you spend all your time studying," well so freakin' what? If a person wants to do well in school, anything WRONG with that?

And blame-shifters, geez... I once reported two absolute ##### who were getting on my nerves. They acted as if it was my fault that they got in trouble. GENIUS logic right there. I can fully understand their point of view. Of course. It's obvious.

Bionicle is about the least worrying hobby I could possibly think of. I mean, be glad your brother is playing with a plastic toy and posting on a kid-friendly site as opposed to smoking or drinking or engaging in otherwise illegal or immoral acts. Yeah, it does happen in high school, I don't know anyone personally but I've heard people talking.

I mean, if someone gets beat up because they're smarter than the average ape-like lump of aggressiveness and testosterone, what do they do, hit themselves on the head with a mallet and get dumber?

We all have a choice, even if we are brainwashed, threatened, or forced. I can see where the person is coming from, yet I am certain he has not discussed these things thoroughly with his brother, nor with his parents; that is where the problem should be solved.

An interesting thought, p'raps -- which is more painful:

A. Being physically hurt, bullied, and looked down upon by a small group of individuals who claim their opinions are superior to your own.

B. Being bereaved of what you love, in this case, an intriguing, mind-challenging series of stories and models, so as to avoid being attacked by thoughtless persons.

Not an easy decision, and if this person's brother is becoming a reclusive due to his hobbies, that is a subject to take up in their family. But living in fear of threats and and violence will only serve to further said matters, and only the person involved can redeem himself. Believe me -- I did that.

Complicated indeed.

-Ikk

The saddest thing about it is that the member who sent you that PM is never going to read this entry, and therefore never going to learn the abominable error of his wrongs.

It's sad that there are people who are so unfeeling that they will try to manipulate their siblings in this way. Noone should try to ruin another person's enjoyment so that that person "fits in." It's a senseless practice, and evidence that this member did not feel sorry for his brother, and rather felt ashamed. That is a sick and disturbing fact, but it is the obvious truth.

If the member's little brother reads this, let him be aware that he has earned our sympathy, and that his older brother most certainly has earned our contempt.

-

Well, again I'll just add to the pot; yea, not yours or LEGO's fault. If true, that is.

Obsession can be brought on for many reasons. Yes, it's usually an obsession with something that is somehow, a massive alt. world (such as LoTR, Star Wars, WoW even). But seriously, there are more things at play here, considering that there are millions of other kids who like those sorts of things yet don't spend their lives over it. One of which could be the family, or the school, or any other thing. The thing being obsessed about is NOT the source, but merely the outlet for that person for an even bigger trouble.

But I want to hit up on something else as well. Specifically, you calling this an if-prank. The account name you gave I decided to check out. The posts you mentioned don't seem like that of a older brother who is apparently older than 15. Also, when I went to the profile, that account was currently on, looking at the M&B. Also, the name certainly doesn't seem like someone who created it just to contact you.

However, while this case I believe is bogus, you are right that there may be other cases that are like this out there. Unfortunately, there are also the same problems with basically everything else, anything from a certain online website to three novels that created a totally new world. But as I said, these 'hobby interests' aren't the source for the trouble, but merely the outlet for that person. If one is really spending that much time on one interest, that just means to me that there is something else missing in his/her life; something we can't unfortunately fill.

~U

EDITSIES: But on the off-chance that this is true, my sympathies go out to that person and any others like him. For the obsession, try to find a few other activities to do, and then it won't be a total obsession but a hobby. As for the bullies, yea, tis the cruel world we live in to have to conform to be not picked on.

people have likes and people have dislikes.

some people with likes will try to make other people have their dislikes, some to a cult based way.

me: my likes are Duelmasters, Guilty Gear, and some other things.

but i still think the entire serise of Bionicle is cool enough.

Bionicle itself is more like a thing slightly different from Lego alltogether.

Bionicle shows what both Technology and Fantasy has to offer.

even with supprises at every turn!

I am Argroh Valdios, and I say:

Bionicle is the Best Thing Lego has Came out with!

oh, and Faust would like to say Hello

Isolated case IMO, people probably hated the kid before he found BIONICLE. Not your fault.

First off, this post is the view of a 17 year old who has liked Lego since I can remember....

1) Well, I don't think many people hate Lego. Even as a high schooler, people have come to understand this is my hobby. Lego shouln't worry.

2) Hmm, good point. Maybe s/he looked around and actually saw somethingcool. I'm going to see what he posted....

Is strange though.

3) If it is true, soemthing needs to happen. Moreso for that kid so he won't be riduculed by his hobbies.

Bionicle is great. If his brother can't handle it, he should talk it over with his family in a calm manner so maybe he'll understand what is so great about Lego.

I don't think the kid is obsesing over Bionicle. He is just being a great fan. I am on BZP almost everyday, have MOCs displayed in my room, go to LUG meetings proudly wearing a BZP t-shirt infront of AFOLs who don't care too much for Bionicle. I stand out and don't worry about what others think of me. (But this is me. I hope this kid can handle his problems and not worry about other's thoughts)

Yeah, this is sad, I feel sorry for the kid, and hope he stays with Lego. He might get into some Dark Ages because off this, but will re-emerge after college as a full-fleged AFOL!

(Me and my optomistic self....)

-CF

Greg, I take this to heart in a way, because when I was young, I was in a similar situation as this boy, although I didn't get beat up. Bionicle wasnt around when I was young, but I liked toys all throughout my teenage years, and still do today. I was teased horrendously about it.

My room was always full of toys as well.

The way this kids brother reacted was not appropriate, nor aimed at the right place.

Curious.

A boy comes homes from school with a broken collar bone and scarred face. Must say, thats some bully. I have never heard of a bully that would go to that limit on a kid just because he likes Bionicle.

Which makes me think this letter is fake. Person who PMed you is most likely that boy who gets picked on (although probably not to the point of broken collar bones). So in order to vent his anger, he looks for the person to blame (it being you Greg). Makes up this wild story to get something out of you. The part about the internet, well, that could be something involved with his parents and him being on the computer way to long.

So whose fault? Kinda hard for me to draw that conclusion. If this story is true, then the school is at fault for allowing these things to happen, and also the parents fault for letting their child become a "zombie" when they can help him.

If this is false, well, parents fault again I guess.

-Omi

I went through the nonviolent version. But when I felt bad I blamed myself for letting me get so caught up in Bionicle. Now I live a much more productive life.

GNG

I sent BF606 a PM back asking:

-- If the account was created just to talk to me about this, why was it created two weeks ago? Why with that name? And why was he/she posting in "BIONICLE-based creations?"

I also suggested that if their story was true, it would make a lot more sense for them to contact LEGO Consumer Service with it, and their school, rather than me. I certainly have a lot to do with BIONICLE, but I work for the company that puts it out -- I don't own the company.

My guess is neither I nor LEGO Company will hear anything more about this, as it is probably fake.

Greg

I'll be interested in what the reply back shall be.

-Omi

Yes, don't worry, Greg, all of the evidence points to it being fake. And believe me, you are not hated around here at all. But even if it is not a fake, or a partial prank, that's just one guy out of the billion here who think that you being here is one of the best parts of BZP.

Also, I just checked his posts, which say that he actually owns one (and probably at least one other) BIONICLE figure, a green one. He's apparently not a very interested fan, as he seems unsure of the name. It seems to me that he probably is a BIONICLE fan himself, that for some reason became ashamed of his interests, and in a moment of anger and stupidity sent this ridiculous lie as a veiled personal complaint. Noone ever came home with a broken collarbone as he claimed (unless he himself did), he just did this to make you feel as ashamed of BIONICLE as he currently was.

-

Oh my gosh. That's terrible.

Well my initial thoughts are, this guy doesn't know what he's talking about as far as his misplaced anger towards you. I think it's very sad because his brother has obviously become obsessive with Bionicle and gotten his priorities mixed up if he's become reclusive to his family.

On the other hand, I don't see why somebody would lie about that, although I don't like his approach to you. I'm gonna think about this a little and edit this comment with additional thoughs.

-

First off: I somehow know that username (I guess because this account was created some time earlier).

However this post is a problem.

1) If the story is true: It is not the fault of Bionicle or even you personally Greg. Then our thoughts have to be with that victim which was injured without reason.

I can't say anything about whethe kids get bullied for likeing Bionicle. I live in Germany and from TV and movies you get the clishe that highschool is very hard for youngsters, it is not that tough in Germany, but I cannot judge that.

2) If the story is not true (what I personally believe): I can't losse the feelig this post was made as a result from the "Lego and Guns" topic. I guess the user is strictly against guns in Bionicle. Since he cannot change what the target group wants he states how cruel violence is in real life and thereby tries to "blackmail" Lego to stop doing Cordak blasters and stuff (I know this is my speculation but somehow my intuition tells me that's the reason for this post)

However the accusations against you Greg are totally false and cannot be taken for granted!!!

The best way would be to talk to the user (if the account is still up) or if enybody sees this user online they should talk to him about what happened, no accusations but discussion to understand what was going on.

i don't know about this.i know people can be very cruel to you about intrests(i could get kicked off this site if i mentioned what they say to me)from my own experience,but they do not beat me up.in fact,they jut use verbals insults,from saying that bionicle is stupid and *this is not allowed on this sight*and so is neopets.however,i can "fight back" just as good as they can,though it's unselting to have whole months of a hwole class bullying you.but i sugest that this guy's little brother(who if the story is true)should try band,field,or sports or try swimming lessons-it helps to have more than and one hobby.me,it's bionicle,swimming,cats,hug a cat day(what?),neopets,band,R&C,sly cooper and pokemon.if it is false,then i bet that he just wants to point his fingers at you and lego becuase he thinks that you should be the balem at possible obsession in the world,or he just wants to give lego a hard time.but you still rock and this has nothing to do iwth you-it's his lif,not yuours.

i have a few things to say on this.

1) why beat the guy up for liking something? thats against freedom of expression

2) i wouldnt believe the broken collarbone. if it was broken, do you think he would be in anystate to get home?

3) this isnt your fault so this guy shouldnt be blaming you (getting back at those bullies is what he should do