UofMUSCLE.com – M.U.S.C.L.E. Figures from Mattel

Can you believe I had two separate emails about the Light Bulb Guy recently? I can’t remember a single previous email about that little guy.

I haven’t thought about this figure in forever. Probably the last time was when I wrote this post. I can’t believe I actually gave him a tag. That was pretty pointless.

I have to admit, there are times when this website feels entirely pointless. I don’t mean that as a poor-me-pity statement. I’ve always enjoyed doing this site, but that’s probably why it feels so pointless sometimes.

For example, I saw this post. It is a fair question and a perfect response. But why bother with a thorough #141 write-up?

The answer is, obviously, because I wanted to do it. I forget most people don’t want to go down rabbit holes – especially when it comes to M.U.S.C.L.E. figures. I don’t know why that still catches me off guard?

I’m never surpised when people think they have a valuable M.U.S.C.L.E. figure (and they don’t). I’m never surprised when new collectors overspend. I would have said I’m never surprised by shenanigans either, but that recently changed. Why do the most basic M.U.S.C.L.E. questions still surprise me? Did I think more people would find this or Elementary M.U.S.C.L.E. Education?

Maybe my Search Engine Optimization (SEO) has been complete shit for 10+ years.

Maybe everyone stops searching after finding Nathan’s M.U.S.C.L.E. Blog.

Maybe M.U.S.C.L.E. collecting is both too small and too detailed at this point.

My gut says that’s the most likely answer. People genuinely search for some information, but it’s too varied. They don’t know what/who to trust. Asking a simple question in an email, Facebook post, Twitter, or whatever seems like the easiest, fastest path.

And it probably is. The #141 question had a correct answer in a few hours without doing any work. That’s pretty fucking convenient for an almost 40-year-old, obscure lines of toys.

Maybe the real problem, if we want to call it that, is people going a little ways down the rabbit hole and declaring themselves experts. Some M.U.S.C.L.E. collectors lament that the Class system should have never been introduced, but I go back to my birds.

I like identifying the different finches that show up at my bird feeder. It is interesting to me. But I wouldn’t start trying to sell overpriced Passer Domesticus bird food because I learned the Latin name.

If a bird expert told me, “Dude, you’re trying to sell overpriced bird food targeted at the common sparrow. Nobody is going to buy that stuff.”

Believe it or not; I would listen. We never see that with people trying to sell M.U.S.C.L.E. stuff. Most recently I pointed out a problem and we all saw the significant change.

I can’t believe two Light Bulb Guy emails brought me here. I hope you guys enjoyed going down this rabbit hole.