Move Over Lego, Enter Atollo

FortKnox writes: "Through the blessed portal memepool, I stumbled across the new arcitecture toy, Atollo. These new building toys can build any type of shape with only two pieces. The two pieces can be connected in many different ways allowing both rigid and flexible connections. " MMmm. Toys. Anyone else remember Construx? I loved those things too.

Comments

Something "missing" with these

[KernelHappy]

Personally I think the reason why Legos remain the king of building toys is because they appealed to both kids who enjoy technical stuff as well as kids who just want to play. Toys like connex, capsela, robotix and even erector sets always seemed to appeal to more technical kids (like myself), and Atollo seems to be stuck in that same market. These toys may require more technical thinking, or dexterity than the average child may have. On a side note, is anyone else bothered by Lego's apparent need to make 200x the custom, one use only, decorative pieces? I bought the latest super car (8448) and have to order the silver champion only because I have an addiction, but I really don't like all these new pieces that are just for looks. It seems like their technic models are becoming less substantial.

Re:What ?

[Anonymous Coward]

Listen you sorry SOB, if you don't like toys, fine, but most really intelligent geeks love toys. The greater the mind, the greater the need for play.

I'm 23, have a 172 IQ, and simply love LEGOs. Modeling complex structures with those wonderful ABS bricks is one of my very favorite pastimes.

If you don't like toys, I pity you. Perhaps you're just in that 14-18 year old or so range where you think toys are stupid... Don't worry, if you've got enough brain power, you'll grow out of it. :) (We Adult Fans Of LEGO -AFOLs- call it the "dark ages" - when you sell all your LEGO, or other toys for that matter, then regret it years later.)

P.S. For those interested in LEGO building products and the simply amazing things you can to with them, check out www.Lugnet.com and www.BrickShelf.com.

I just have to respond

[Jennifer E. Elaan]

I personally think that the parent post, as inflamatory as it is, should be modded up.

I'm personally somewhat younger, and my IQ, as if it matters anything, is somewhere in that range. And I agree wholeheartedly.

I grew up in such a way that everything looked like a building set to me. My favorite toys age 11-14 were solderless breadboard and 7400-series TTL logic. I've had virtually all the major building sets, Construx, Meccano, Robotix, Capsela, Lasy (that's a little obscure), used Lego considerably (my brother had some). I had a half-dozen Radio Shack lab kits. I've programmed since I was five.

Any parent thinking I'm a special case should reevaluate how they perceive their children. Intelligence is learned, during (generally) the first 6 years of life.

And is it any wonder I ended up in Engineering?