|
|
Forums - Modelling / Figures |
The figures forum is for the discussion of construction and painting of figures and the tools and materials used. |
|
|
| Subject: | How this focus perpetuates itself |  |
| Date: | Mar 2, 2001 |
| From: | Tim Streeter | |
Many of you have probably noted a new graphic recently joined the banner of
the Figures NG on ML. It is, of course, a photo of an SS soldier (well
done, of course, by Mark Bannerman). I know Mark does Allied figures. But,
of course, a German figure is chosen to represent all the figures NG. Out
of 14 newsgroups, there is only one Allied subject represented -- on the
Allied NG page, or course (I don't know the nationality of the tank on the
Modern AFV page, so maybe there are two). The logo on many of these pages
is the standard ML Panther logo, and perhaps the webmaster will
differentiate the others. But I won't be surprised if a new Diorama NG logo
includes a German beer hall rather than a Normandy barn.
And it's just not on ML. For a long time TL had a German tank representing
the hobby on the front page, later joined by a Sherman. But now on TL mkIII
we still have the German tank marking style. PanzerNet's redo is a bit less
German-centric as it was, though the implication is there through the camo
scheme (again, I'm not quite sure the make or nationality of what appears to
be a modern tank in the new logo).
I'll grant that the webmasters can do what they want with their sites, and
such choices may accurately reflect their personal subject interests. They
might say it reflects the predominant interest of AFV modelers, and they'd
be on firm ground there too. But it also helps perpetuate this notion that
the only "real" modeling involves German subjects, just as the ubiquitous
Nike symbol sells the idea that the only "real" athlete uses Nike
equipment. Nike, of course, does this for money, just like the AFV model
companies and magazine publishers. These web sites, however, are not in the
business of making money, but providing information and forums to modelers.
Is it necessary to have such an "institutional" focus on German subjects to
do this? Probably not. I don't think being more inclusive would reduce the
number of hits on any of these sites or force people to go elsewhere.
Some may recall last summer I pointed out that Warrior's logo had changed
from the running German silhouette to the cartoonish German soldier that
seemed to be reaching for the endearing charm of Joe Camel. I was struck by
the ironies of a US company using such a cartoon figure to represent itself
and whether, given the number of US servicemen who sacrificed their lives
fighting this particular foe, this was the most tasteful way to for the
company to promote itself. Well, Warriors has a new logo now, which returns
to the old running German silhouette but as a much smaller element of a
larger graphic design. And if you don't look at the helmet too closely he
can be taken to represent any soldier. So there's hope.
Do web sites and model magazines reflect modelers' interests, or do they
steer them in particular directions. Both, of course. It's like the
argument on the impact of other forms of media on shaping popular culture
and social mores. "If it bleeds, it leads" is the axiom/criticism of
television journalism. "If it's SS, it's blessed" could be the credo of our
industry.
Tim |
| |
|
|
 | Are we REALLY nuts about buying SS Figures? - Brandon R. Sutherland - Mar 1, 2001 |
| . . . Re: Are we REALLY nuts about buying SS Figures? - Hassan Howard - Mar 1, 2001 |
| . . . . . . The problem is that people like it!!! - - Mar 1, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . Re: The problem is that people like it!!! [IMG] - Hervé CharbyCharbonneau - Mar 1, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: The problem is that people like it!!! - Halpern John - Mar 2, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Yep, I agree... . - Yc. Wang - Mar 2, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Yep, I agree... . - Tim Streeter - Mar 2, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . miscellaneous thoughts before a cup of coffee... - Andrew Herbert - Mar 2, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . We are not that far away + Dead soldiers at AMPS - Hassan Howard - Mar 2, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: We are not that far away + Dead soldiers at AMPS - Christophe Jacquemont - Mar 2, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Don't forget the military prisoners - Bob Lessels - Mar 4, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: The problem is that people like it!!! - Hubert, Stephane [CAR:9F65:EXCH] - Mar 2, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . Japan is a special case - Hassan Howard - Mar 1, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Japan is a special case - Bob Seaver - Mar 1, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Japan is a special case - Barry Gazso - Mar 13, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . World of doodoo - Brent McCombs - Mar 12, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: World of doodoo - William - Mar 15, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Russians fought for love of country, they did not need coercion - Hassan Howard - Mar 17, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Russians fought for love of country, they did not need coercion - Gray Creager - Mar 17, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . Can't blame them either... . - Yc. Wang - Mar 2, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . "Extended period of peace" - are we talking about Earth here? - Hassan Howard - Mar 2, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Didn't mean that... . - Yc. Wang - Mar 2, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . Products are tailored for the biggest market - Bob Lessels - Mar 4, 2001 |
| . . . . . . Re: Are we REALLY nuts about buying SS Figures? - Christophe Jacquemont - Mar 1, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . Buy, Build, Write and Post - Tim Streeter - Mar 1, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . Devil's advocate - Bob Lessels - Mar 4, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Devil's advocate - Nemanja Pavlovic - Mar 21, 2001 |
| . . . How this focus perpetuates itself - Tim Streeter - Mar 2, 2001 |
| . . . . . . Re: Get a grip guys - Olve - Mar 3, 2001 |
| . . . . . . Re: How this focus perpetuates itself - Rebecca Hill - Mar 4, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . The Hobby Store Shelves and Industry Economics - Tim Streeter - Mar 4, 2001 |
| . . . Re: Are we REALLY nuts about buying SS Figures? - Brandon R. Sutherland - Mar 5, 2001 |
| . . . . . . Re: Are we REALLY nuts about buying SS Figures? - jim cosides - Mar 6, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . Re: Are we REALLY nuts about buying SS Figures? - Rebecca Hill - Mar 6, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Are we REALLY nuts about buying SS Figures? - JIM COSIDES - Mar 8, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Are we REALLY nuts about buying SS Figures? - Brent McCombs - Mar 10, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . Re: Are we REALLY nuts about buying SS Figures? - Brent McCombs - Mar 10, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Are we REALLY nuts about buying SS Figures? - Brian J. Kelly - Mar 11, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Are we REALLY nuts about buying SS Figures? - Rhodes A. Williams - Mar 11, 2001 |
| . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Re: Are we REALLY nuts about buying SS Figures? - jim cosides - Mar 13, 2001 |
|
|
