There has been a LOT of press coverage over the past week about the “Florida Mom” and her campaign to get Toys R Us to remove the Mezco Breaking Bad figures from their shelves and also my counter-campaign to get Toys R Us to RETURN the figures to those shelves and website.  Most news outlets have done a pretty good job reporting both sides of the argument, however one stand out in all the chatter came from on Rupert Meyers from the UK and his article on Guardian.com and his click-bait, scorched earth “article” calling me and any other action figure collector stunted man-children.    Several folks sent me links to this story after seeing me mentioned.   I thought it only fair that I also publish my response to Mr. Meyers.

Hi Rupert,

I’m the Daniel Pickett that started the counter petition you cite in your article and seem to take pleasure in bashing having never net me. I get it. You want page views, you want people to talk about your “bold stance.” You need to generate content to justify your employment.

But, I have to say, after reading your words, calling myself a collector is no more “lofty” than you calling yourself a “journalist.” Name-calling and snark are the most cowardly forms of journalism, if that’s even what this article could be called. I call it “click-bait.” Especially in light of your whiplash inducing hypocrisy of bragging about playing with Lego construction sets back in February in an article also on The Guardian and now bashing the “lower” adult collectors. I, and many others, don’t believe that you have a leg to stand on.

I’m proud to be a collector, and an expert on toys. I DO consider action figures an art form and I am personal friends with many of the sculptors and designers. I’m proud of the friends I have made of both industry professionals that help shape these characters for Fortune 500 companies and the fans I run into at conventions and the toy aisles. I’m proud of the content that I have generated in the 10 years of writing about toys on my website. I’m proud of the 130 hours worth of interviews, conversation and fun that I have generated for my weekly podcast. And I’m proud of the performance of the petition that has connected over 61,000 adult collectors (so far) and letting our point of view be heard that adults “playing with toys” IS OK.  And while you might not agree with us, you don’t get to dictate what gives others pleasure or what is a “worthwhile” hobby.

Like it or not – #AdultsCollect.

But at the end of the day you DID include a link to the petition and I’m sure we got a signature or two from that inclusion, so thank you for that.

Enjoy your weekend. I’m sure it will be filled with ” chess, jai alai and exploration.”

Daniel Pickett
ActionFigureInsider.com