Diorama "Ukraine, Summer 1943"

EasyMike

Model Maniac:

...I wonder why another dio built by AI and posted at the same time has not gotten any reply yet. This one:  /forums/t/130832.aspx...

 

Stock figures in stock poses; no story.  What is there to reply to?

Well, guess there is no need to post anything that is built stock OOB on this forum as it doesn't warrant a response because there was no scratchbuilding or aftermarket used. And my little panzer sitting on a piece of cloth in a photobooth definitely tells no story so why bother right??

Well, guess there is no need to post anything that is built stock OOB on this forum as it doesn't warrant a response because there was no scratchbuilding or aftermarket used. And my little panzer sitting on a piece of cloth in a photobooth definitely tells no story so why bother right??

No, you are missing the point.  He isn't looking for honest comments on the qualityof the build, the layout, finish, etc. as you are.  He is looking for the standard "Wow, those are great, the best ____ (fill in the blank) I have ever seen, excellent job" BS.  They are not great, excellent, not in any way a diorama.  So why comment when it is not the "atta boy" he is looking for?  The other option is to give the constructive comments for the others on here so they can learn and improve from them.  There is no hope the models he pays his indentured survents to built will imporove.  Others can learn from them though.

No, I'm not missing the point Gino, you are my friend. On one hand you say you post the issues with his builds to help future modelers not make the mistakes that he makes. I totally and 100% agree with this. If you can fill up three pages of posts with bulletted problems with MM's "builders" builds (and often this is quite possible), then by all means do so.

On the other hand you end every post with the same senseless junk....

"Same old crap, blah blah blah.."

or

"Stock figures in stock poses straight out of the box with no imagination or creativity".

Now thinking about just those 2 types of replies, does that really help the new guy coming here who has built that stock OOB model or built those figures in the stock poses because that is all he knows?? No way!! If nothing else you and others are turning those guys away from posting here. And that is understandable. Who wants to be posting stuff on here with the chance or earning some of the comments you guys make??

You and others also say that MM's builders builds havent improved at all. I remember almost all the builds he use to post had the shiney "Armor'All'd" tires or the flat coat sprayed all over the windshields. Looking at his newer stuff, you dont see that quite as much anymore. I am certain that if you look back through his posts that on more than several occassions he has thanked someone for thier criticism and stated that he would pass that on to his builders. The difference is that those people he did acknowledge posted "constructive" criticism. Your type of criticism in his threads are more like destructive criticism. You can't change what someone does with your advice, all you can do is give it and it ends there.....

I'm not sure of this and it is solely my opinon, but I honestly think and interpret from yours and others posts that you folks have something personal against MM. I think you are all very disrespectful towards him and not one time have I ever read a disrespectful or rude comment from AI.

Sorry but this is just my and this is precisely the type of thing that detracts from these forums...

I'll just leave it at we agree to disagree.  We see things totally differently and always will.  So be it.  I'll continue to post my critiques and opinions.  You can continue to blindly support whoever you want.

Mic

 

defcon1:

 

 

 Like always, MM gives AI multiple kits for a dio blindly.  AI builds everything in the box even though it doesn't go well together.

 

 

Yeah but, again, this bothers US more than it does Model Maniac. Personally, I'm every bit as entertained by the banter back and forth as I would be if the dios were superb. It's good stuff!

 

Actually, to be honest, these threads are getting tiresome. As you so pointed out, MM has been posting on this site for a long time, a heck of a lot longer that you've been here, that's for sure. But even you, never mind the older members, know exactly what they're going to get as soon as the thread is opened.

Personally, I give him much credit for creating the traffic that he does. What I've seen on this forum of late is a few 'key' players that will get much traffic in their threads, while most others are pretty barren. And MM's threads, without fail, just generate lots of views, and lots of comments. I think its one of those ritual hazings on this site, people just like to nitpick, but I don't quite get why; as stated, he's been doing the same thing for a while, why the heck would he change it now, and by following that logic, why would we expect him to?

IMO, if it were myself, I'd be laughing my butt off at some of the comments in this thread.

I am glad he is posting something. good or bad.

Please keep the post coming and I will keep looking and commenting, good or bad.

That's the whole idea of these forums.

I am in Zokissima's camp - I know what to expect when I see a MM thread.  I also give him credit - the guy takes a pounding in here, but he keeps on posting "his" work.  But I also certainly don't have an issue with comments like Gino's.  They are born out of YEARS of frustration with MM and his general unwillingness to participate in the forum beyond posting his latest purchase and acknowledging the 'attaboys'.

I do have to admit, however, that I have seen a few recent posts where MM has reached out to people with advice, so again, I'll give him credit for that.  It would just be nice to see his cherry-picking of replies stop.  If people offer him honest critique and advice, a little acknowledgement would go a long way.

Hi Guys,

I've found out that MM has posted on the local forum back here and recieved very little replies of an average of 2 per post. He has since stopped posting for the last 3 years. Only 3 post recieved more than 3 replies, his first, somewhere in the middle where a forumer expressed interest and started posting references for him to follow and then there is the last posting where a newbie highjacked the post resulting in everyone being more interested in the newbie until the moderator(probably someone who knows MM) politely asked that we take it somewhere else. That's when MM stopped posting.

Hi Phaisal, you're the same MM right? You sure picked a hot spot to post your stuff. These guys here don't mince their words. They say it as it is, not like back home where we keep our comments close to our heart for fear of rocking the boat.

Sorry lar brother, they're the same builds. I guess it's the best your guys can do after all the advise. Keep posting though as some may like it and might find some good in it. Who knows, Joh, Tuk or AI might just come out with a technic that could blow our minds.

I'll compliment when I see change. Others may be cruel to be kind.

Cheers,

Richard.

Thanks a lot for your kind comments here, Jester75, zokissima, iraqiwildman and bbrowniii! I really appreciate them!

rtfoe, I have never stopped posting here. As far as I can remember, every new diorama, every new page, was posted here. You want Change? Go to Obama!

Model Maniac

Thanks a lot for your kind comments here, Jester75, zokissima, iraqiwildman and bbrowniii! I really appreciate them!

rtfoe, I have never stopped posting here. As far as I can remember, every new diorama, every new page, was posted here. You want Change? Go to Obama!

Just as a point of clarity, my comments should be considered neutral at best.  I wouldn't be getting all excited about them being 'kind'.

'You want Change?  Go to Obama!' 

That's great, MM.   Just freakin' great...  It is also at the root of just about every problem people have with you on this site. 

Jester75

 I am certain that if you look back through his posts that on more than several occassions he has thanked someone for thier criticism and stated that he would pass that on to his builders. The difference is that those people he did acknowledge posted "constructive" criticism.

Hey Jester,

In the spirit of my worth, I just wanted to explain why I got off the 'MM Defense Team', because truth be told, I used to be right where you are.

About two or three years ago, MM posted a bunch of dios (go figure).  I can't recall which one of his builders did them, but one or two of them had some really impressive water effects (maybe surf or a waterfall or something - I can't recall exactly and don't have the inclination to search it out).  Anyways, I posted that I was really impressed by the water and would really like to know how his builder had accomplished it.

MM's reply was that the technique must remain a secret and that to give it away would dimish the 'impact' of his purchases, or some such BS.  (Again, I don't recall his exact words, but you get the point).  That attitude did it for me.  If nothing else, it showed how he views this forum - not as a community where people help each other out and exchange ideas, but as a showplace for him to get his props for displaying other people's work...

I remember that exact instance, and was thinking about it last night, actually. Boy, he took some serious flak for that, too. As I recall, he did come back with the technique used, eventually. But, it was his initial lack of interest in sharing that set everyone off. It may have been Doog that sent a bazooka round up his rear end.

There was a period of time, around then, that he started posting his own builds- yes, MM does (did) attempt modeling. I absolutely recall the extremely positive, supportive tone the community immediately afforded him, once he posted his own works.

I, too, remember that water debacle. Showed the guy's true colors. Well, that and his Tony Soprano style indenturing of his debtors then telling us he was going to cut off AI as a contractor because the loan was paid back.  In my opinion, he is the most toxic poster on these boards when you consider how often his threads devolve into these nasty fests.

I do remember that instance actually. And I totally disagree with the "it has to remain secret" type attitude. I am glad however that he did come back and share the technique here in the forums. And I dont particulary like his cherry picking replies however I cant say that I blame him for ignoring and not replying to the posts with the smart a** comments.

And as far as his personal deallings with his builders go, how is that absolutely any of your concern Al? IMO your sticking your nose into business that concerns neither these forums nor yourself. Just exaclty how much detail of these dealings do you actually even know about for fact, not assumption. You would paint a picture that MM has some kind of sweat shop in his basement and AI and Joh are a couple of 8 and 9 year olds working 24/7 all the while being geeked up on some drug to keep them going . As far as I'm concerned, god please let there be someone there to help me out when I'm about to lose my home and my family is fixing to be out on the streets because from my understanding, those were the terms of MM and AI's "deal".

The most toxic posters on this board are the ones like yourself, Gino, and others who are constantly scanning for new MM threads so you can spew your nonsense. The post is no longer about helping others and pointing out flaws for others to not when you inject this personall nonsense about your perception of MM's contracts with his builders whatever they are. I see several people posting about how much they appreciate the comments about innaccuracies or improper time frame for the titles his work and I too appreciate these things as I don't have the vast knowledge that Gino and others have. But that is not the problem here. The problem here is all the other pointless junk that gets posted along with those criticisms. It helps noone and nothing. Its is in itself a "toxic" poison here. These threads devolve in "nasty fests" due to stupid comments like..

"Well, that and his Tony Soprano style indenturing of his debtors then telling us he was going to cut off AI as a contractor because the loan was paid back. "

Jester,

Your undying support of MM is admirable.  However, you are the one who is continuing this tread as you keep bringing up names and calling us all toxic posters and spewing nonsense, etc.  If you want this issue to end, how about letting it go.  We did agree to disagree, but you keep dragging it out.  Just face that things are not going to change here no matter how much you continue to crusade about it.  There are two schools of thought on the forums here and they will not change as you have a couple differnt types of modelers who are set in their ways.  Just like in all other areas of life, you can't like everyone or every situation, but you can learn to live with them.  Let it go.

But....you still mistake that my posting is all about my support of MM and it is not. My posts are about how you and others treat certain forum members. Its that simple, and really, it is that simple.  If you really want the whole thing to die  then how about you and the others drop the distasteful comments that seem to be impossible to leave out and simply post the honest criticism as you say and try to treat fellow forum members with a little bit of respect. How is that asking the impossible?

I can read your posts and see exactly what you are saying.  Like I said, I'll post what I feel like posting and you can do the same.  I have agreed to disagree and you will not change me.  Just face that the world isn't always nice and flowery and get over it.

Jester, it was MM who offered the information about his relationship with his builders. He put it out here for the whole world to see. No speculation on my part. If someone doesn't want to be called out on his/her behavior, he/she shouldn't be telling the world.

My job is dealing with people everyday so trust me, I dont need you to tell me that the world is always nice and "flowery"? Agreed to disagree and your name will not be brought up again by me.

And what infomation did he disclose here on the fourms Al?? Did he disclose that he was running some secret underground modeling sweatshop in Thailand that employs underage kids whom are whipped with bamboo shakes if they dont meet a deadline? If I remember, it was simply stated that AI got in some trouble with his mortgage or whatever and MM stepped in and paid his debts off and allowed him to work that debt off  building models for MM's museum. Isn't that the information that was dislcosed here many years ago when this MM bullying began? It is your assumption about his "Tony Soprano" style and how he treats his modelers. In fact neither you nor I can truly say how he treats his builders.

In all honesty I dont remember seeing anything about how Joh or Tuk I think his name is came to work for MM.

Jester75

 My posts are about how you and others treat certain forum members. Its that simple, and really, it is that simple.  

I'm sure you really do believe it is 'that simple', Jester.  Honestly, I do.  However, you hvae to receognize that, simply as a result of the way they behave on this site, some members will be treated differently, just like anywhere else in life.  People BEGGED Model Maniac to become a more active member of this site for years.  He has, for the most part, refused.  For that reason, he gets treated differently.

   I have to agree with Jester.  There is a way to critique, and a way not to.  What's the old adage?  "If you have nothing nice to say...."?

      I would expect this behavior from a bunch of snarky, Starbucks-swilling twenty-somethings.   A bunch of old men doing it when they should know better is just a blight on the FSM forums.  Too bad.  People wonder why the hobby's dying.

    As for Model Maniac, I don't care what floats your boat.  I think your dio's look good.  They're far better than what I can do so far.  You keep right on posting.  I enjoy looking at them, no matter how they're made.  

Model Maniac

rtfoe, I have never stopped posting here. As far as I can remember, every new diorama, every new page, was posted here. You want Change? Go to Obama!

Awright...I hit the right nerve(not that I was aiming for it) and it's all coming out...spots and all. It's obvious you've been posting here all the time, I was talking about the one back home which you stopped posting in August 2007.

Looks like the topic is changing in your post and your build is being neglected again as usual. Shame though, the earlier builds were much better...bigger scope and more to see. However lately...sigh...very tiring...and no comment. Would like to offer advise but.......

.

Oh, forgot to add this...do continue posting the builds from AI, Jon and Tuk. As I have said earlier there are those who would still like to see them and of course others who just can't stand them.

For others, it's just a hobby...no need to go balistic about it. Some are lucky to collect, others are lucky to be able to build them. It's an avenue to de-stress and not the reverse. If advise to something that's wrong turns a deaf ear, don't fret or feel the urge to throw verbal diarrhea. It's not worth it...move along to a thread that's willing to listen. There's lots to choose from here.

I'm getting out of this thread to another that's more positively productive.

Cheers,

Richard

Jester75

I do remember that instance actually. And I totally disagree with the "it has to remain secret" type attitude. I am glad however that he did come back and share the technique here in the forums. And I dont particulary like his cherry picking replies however I cant say that I blame him for ignoring and not replying to the posts with the smart a** comments.

And as far as his personal deallings with his builders go, how is that absolutely any of your concern Al? IMO your sticking your nose into business that concerns neither these forums nor yourself. Just exaclty how much detail of these dealings do you actually even know about for fact, not assumption. You would paint a picture that MM has some kind of sweat shop in his basement and AI and Joh are a couple of 8 and 9 year olds working 24/7 all the while being geeked up on some drug to keep them going . As far as I'm concerned, god please let there be someone there to help me out when I'm about to lose my home and my family is fixing to be out on the streets because from my understanding, those were the terms of MM and AI's "deal".

The most toxic posters on this board are the ones like yourself, Gino, and others who are constantly scanning for new MM threads so you can spew your nonsense. The post is no longer about helping others and pointing out flaws for others to not when you inject this personall nonsense about your perception of MM's contracts with his builders whatever they are. I see several people posting about how much they appreciate the comments about innaccuracies or improper time frame for the titles his work and I too appreciate these things as I don't have the vast knowledge that Gino and others have. But that is not the problem here. The problem here is all the other pointless junk that gets posted along with those criticisms. It helps noone and nothing. Its is in itself a "toxic" poison here. These threads devolve in "nasty fests" due to stupid comments like..

"Well, that and his Tony Soprano style indenturing of his debtors then telling us he was going to cut off AI as a contractor because the loan was paid back. "

Your comments are very well written and they're so true. I can't thank you enough for the justice you've given to me and my builders. God bless you!

dirkpitt77

   I have to agree with Jester.  There is a way to critique, and a way not to.  What's the old adage?  "If you have nothing nice to say...."?

 

      I would expect this behavior from a bunch of snarky, Starbucks-swilling twenty-somethings.   A bunch of old men doing it when they should know better is just a blight on the FSM forums.  Too bad.  People wonder why the hobby's dying.

 

    As for Model Maniac, I don't care what floats your boat.  I think your dio's look good.  They're far better than what I can do so far.  You keep right on posting.  I enjoy looking at them, no matter how they're made.  

Thanks so much for your kind comments and compliments,dirkpitt77! I also think so. More armors and dio are coming soon after this.

Nicely done!!!!

Always some ass cutting peoples work down. There are ways of giving constructive  feedback instead of nitpicking and being absolutly stupid about something, who gives a crap some guy is carrying a magnetic mine while he is on a dock?? jesus maybe they just went over to look at something?? and you know soldiers DO carry equipment on them. maybe they were walking with the tank and wanted to look into the water at some fishies?? lol  and not some stupid erronious secret submarine like some said??? its a diorama!!!!!!!! ITS MAKE BELIEVE!!!!!!! unless you state your re-creating an exact moment in time that something was done your depicting!!!!! I mean if someone were to do a diorama of someone on a shitter taking a dump you nitpickers would find something wrong with it like the toilet paper was going the wrong direction you know (facing up or down) North or South, modeling is supposed to be fun and critisizm is is supposed to be constructive on the issue an not stupid  you know the "tangable" object's about the diorama i/e Tank, Men, Scenery, not stupid things you cant see!!! use your imagination on whats going on!!!! why are they on the dock?? why is he carrying this or that?? jesus they were probl on patrol with the tank and they wanted to look at the water is all (maybe go fishing??) lol soldiers do screw off at times maybe their was a fish that jumped and they were going to look at it OR MAYBE THEIR WAS A MERMAID??? you ans some of the dumb questions picking it apart making fun of it. KUDOS to the guy who built it and had the balls to post it on here even though there are the ignorant idiotic nitpickers who make this (supposed to be fun hobby) not so fun, it is supposed to be enjoyable and I would hate to be the kids of the people nit picking the hell out of this diorama (YOU ARENT GOOD ENUF!!!!!) their kids probl got a real low self esteem issue. anyways to all the positive critics :good for you keep up the good positive feedback and SHAME!!! on all you other people.

p.s. sorry for any misspelled words <---- shame on me

Yup, great way to get started in a forum where your first two posts blast the members without any knowledge of what has transpired here over the last few years.  Really classy.  Good job.

fixed?