[badcppdev]

There's a line between "consumerism" and living a good life. I believe that many people in HN think that well made construction kits with parts that last for decades like Lego are part of having a good life rather than simply 'mass-martketed mass-producted plastic'.

[red_admiral]

Lego lasts much, much longer than most electronics these days. And that's not just because of stupid lightbulbs that stop working when the company shuts down their servers.

[crawfishphase]

Its a lifestyle that glorifies plastic and results in the mass production of it. Its marketed so well that many just refuse to see it. Its like the tobacco of plastics. One brick can last 1300 years. Do you REALLY need your toys to last 1300 years?

True creativity can use a responsible sustainable medium.

Take a look at this mess:

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-cornwall-66187273.amp

[mattlondon]

Have you seen toys? The vast majority are plastic (although some good wooden ones are available), and of those most probably won't last more than a year or two (both in terms of physically surviving, but also in the child's interest).

Lego however is a long-term toy that generally does not break, retains interest form kids for years, and is very frequently passed around between friends and family. One set might last years and years and years and go through multiple families and eBay auctions and Craigslist giveaways etc. Lego themselves even run a recycling program.

Sure don't buy kids cheap plastic tat that only lasts an afternoon or two, but investing in quality educational toys is worthwhile IMHO, both in terms environmental impact and educational benefits.