Question: Why do some people feel model ship building needs a wider audience?

[shipbuilder]

I think what matters most is personal satisfaction. That's going to be purely a matter of individual standards. I was 10 years old when I built my first model ship - a plastic kit of the USS Arizona. I think I got more glue on my fingers than on the parts. But I was wildly thrilled with the finished product, even with all of its flaws. All I can say is that my second ship was better than the first, and so on. And I'm still building and restoring model ships, 67 years later. Everybody starts somewhere, and gets as far as they get. But all effort should be lauded, and support offered. My 2 cents.

I agree, but a 3D ship on a computer screen is no more a model ship than a photograph or painting of her!

 

[Smithy]

“Why do some people feel model ship building needs a wider audience?”​

We seem to have drifted into “How (why?) can we get more people doing the hobby?”

Is it the case that the only reason for having a bigger audience is to recruit more modellers?

Do I want a bigger audience for my models? I’m not sure.

I definitely need an audience of at least one person. I know this because when I finish a ship/aircraft/figure I usually show it (or give it) to those of my friends who I know are interested. I don’t want to put them on display to the general public though. What would be the point?

On line, I show my wares to fellow hobbyists but I wouldn’t want to go on TV with a model for my 15 seconds of fame.

Would you ever build a model, or anything really, and not show it to someone who you know will tell you it’s great? The approval of others is something that most of us crave, maybe all of us.

Hm, perhaps a bigger audience leads to more modellers leads to more forum members leads to more ‘likes’.

I’m just thinking out loud really. This thread certainly provokes that.

 

[ConsNZ]

I think what matters most is personal satisfaction. That's going to be purely a matter of individual standards. I was 10 years old when I built my first model ship - a plastic kit of the USS Arizona. I think I got more glue on my fingers than on the parts. But I was wildly thrilled with the finished product, even with all of its flaws. All I can say is that my second ship was better than the first, and so on. And I'm still building and restoring model ships, 67 years later. Everybody starts somewhere, and gets as far as they get. But all effort should be lauded, and support offered. My 2 cents.

2 cents?? that was worth $2.00

 

[Dave Stevens (Lumberyard)]

I agree, but a 3D ship on a computer screen is no more a model ship than a photograph or painting of her!

i agree with that but it is not about the model real or Virtual Reality it is more about the creative process a painting or drawing or a model or a computer generated 3D model it is all a form of creative art.

 

[MunroIII]

What did you do in the Naval Nuclear program? I spent four years 1966-1970 as an NR engineer.

Roger

Reactor Engineering at Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, 1970-1973

 

[Jim Fortnam]

Why was it depressing? And why was it not entirely accurate? It never depressed me, and I just accepted low prices in the same way I accepted ridiculously high prices at auctions. The last model I sold, I told my client how much it was, and he actually complained it was not high enough. I just said that was what I was asking for it, and if he wanted to pay more, I would be grateful. He paid me 1 1/2 times more! (on top of my asking price). I sold this one privately in the late 1990s for £400. It showed up years later in a London auction house where it sold for just over £3,800. That didn't bother me either!

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I think the comment 'if not entirely accurate' was in the sense of 'It's depressing, but, it is entirely accurate'. The phraseology being intended to emphasise the accuracy.