Though I post infrequently here, I have been collecting TFs since around 1988, but went on hiatus for about 4 years when college started.  But we should welcome the bandwagon people.  Their money will pump more $$ into Hasbro/Takara, and will hopefully perpetuate the TF lines for years to come.  If we retain at least 10% of those newcomers, it will be a good thing, as stated above.

 

TF fans are like a frat: if you don't welcome newcomers, your house will eventually die out.

I don't think the past explosions have been anything other than an increase in home INTERNETS

Meh... I dunno... online Transfandom is as old as the Internet itself. Remember that fan terms like "gestalt" was popularised on the online fandom as early as 1994. And it was through the online fan community that Bob Forward and Larry DiTillio was able to conduct a lot of their G1 research as well as gauging fan opinions of Beast Wars. This is why the Beast Wars show is filled with references to the online Transfandom! Wonko the Sane, Sub-sector Hooks, coordinates M-Sipher, Starbase Rugby... the list goes on. Heck... even a wallaby-humping schmuck like me on the arse end of the world has been quoted twice (though references to me are only in the toy continuity, not the show :P). I think the recent explosion of noobs has expanded the online community, but not quite the other way around IMHO.

 

I am offended at your broad sweeping generaliztion!  Zut!  I bid you GOOD DAY sir!

I knew you were just using me for my body...

I don't mind many new people or returning fans, nor do I think they're any less of a fan for not having collected or followed Transformers for years.

After all, many in the fandom still don't follow non G1 shows, or do, but just don't like them 'cos they're a different style and atmosphere.

 

Plus I think they bring something new to the table.

A lot of fan theories have come to be considered fact by some, and I think that lack of exposure to those things often makes their views far more objective and flexible.

 

And of course, there's the fact that fandoms made up solely of hardcore fans are actually really dull, elitist and grow very stagnant very fast.

 

What I do mind however, is the new people who come along knowing only their version and believing everyone else has "got it wrong", which I think will increase when the movie hits.

And those who jump on the bandwagon and then attack existing fans for taking it too seriously or dragging it down by talking about all the other "long finished continuities that clearly no-one is interested in anymore." which I can also see increasing around movie time.

i agree that it will be nice to have noobs basically because they wil be excited over everything. i can see all theyre happy smiling faces now hey honey look its the original transformers i use to love these! can i get one and the wife goes i guess but what about junior? he will have to find his own lol jk but yeah it should be fun to watch

Technically, Wonko the Sane is first and foremost a Douglas Adams reference...

In Beast Wars it is also a reference to Ben Yee (BWTF.com) who is a big Douglas Adams fan, and his online handle was Wonko The Sane.

 

joshlowe: I think your comment was spot on. :)

One thing to remember, is that you can't judge how deeply someone has been involved in the fandom based on something as arbitrary as post counts, or when they started collecting.  Seems silly to me.  I was one of the original '84 kids (I turned 8 that year!), and was a HUGE TF fan until the later Pretender crap.  Then as Junior High came along, and with it the allure of sex, drugs, and rock'n'roll, Transformers fell to the wayside.  I only got back into them after college, when I had disposable income and BeastWars was huge.  Beast Machines, RiD and Armada were my big re-entries into the Fandom.

 

I have since amassed a considerable collection, and find it amusing that others may not take it or me as seriously just because I "haven't been involved steadily and consistently since 1984".  What a Powerglideing joke.  As for anyone who actually had absolutely no other interests other than Transformers throughout their lives, and those who judge others from their high horses, I feel they are also sad, sad little monkeys.

 

I for one welcome new TF fans, as long as they stay the Powerglide out of the way when the toys come out!  :tflaugh

 

I knew you were just using me for my body...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

With those swaying hips and luscious lips, who could resist? :P  :P  :P  :P  :P  :tflaugh

I knew you were just using me for my body...

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

With those swaying hips and luscious lips, who could resist?

<{POST_SNAPBACK}>

 

WTCHOP?

we shouldnt complain about noobs that just means there is a demand for trasnformers I like it when noobs get into a toy we all gain from that not lose....look at everyones ebay auctions on bidding it was not for folks noobs I mean getting into buying them we wouldnt be paying 230 or more for prime 00 book style...

For the most part, noobs are okay, but I think joshlowe summed it up best in regards to when noobs can get really frikkin' annoying:

 

What I do mind however, is the new people who come along knowing only their version and believing everyone else has "got it wrong", which I think will increase when the movie hits.

And those who jump on the bandwagon and then attack existing fans for taking it too seriously or dragging it down by talking about all the other "long finished continuities that clearly no-one is interested in anymore." which I can also see increasing around movie time.

 

...that Blot has always gotten on my nerves, and as josh said, it will increase exponentially when the movie comes out... *shudder*