I had a revelation about this hobby. It is unique in that a lot of people are now directing their time and talents towards the desires of a few. I am amazed at the number of people willing to take the time to help others in this hobby, usually for free. And the cottage industries popping up with innovations that could ultimately spill over to other industries. Pinball may be the mother of invention. Your thoughts?
while the pinball community is certainly esoteric, nothing you note makes it so... 
it is "esoteric" in that it's a rare interest practiced by few...
some of the things you point out are true of other hobbies as well... a/v for example...
however, "pinball as the mother of invention, spilling over into other industries" is, ummm, a reach... 
True pinheads have been doing this since at least the year 2000 when I joined the ranks. They have probably been doing it since day one. Guys like Lloyd and many others had incredible patience and understanding when I needed some help. Now I do what I can to pay it forward.
Thanks again Lloyd you're the best of the best.
^^^
yup... i've only been a member here for a short period of time, but before joining, i read zillions of posts, both here and at rgp... i saw that there was enough helpful people who had been part of the pin hobby for a long time...
and that's ignoring the very useful and free guides provided by clay, pinwiki, and so on...
Quoted from ccotenj:while the pinball community is certainly esoteric, nothing you note makes it so... it is "esoteric" in that it's a rare interest practiced by few...
some of the things you point out are true of other hobbies as well... a/v for example...
however, "pinball as the mother of invention, spilling over into other industries" is, ummm, a reach...
Mother of creativity I.e Thinking outside the box. Art for art's sake. Necessity is the mother of invention. (Seeing people in this hobby being creative because there are no new parts to be had.)
^^^
while true, not unique to this hobby... people have been fabricating unobtainium parts in many other hobbies for many years (automobiles come immediately to mind, amoungst others)...
not trying to shoot down your enthusiasm... just bringing you back to reality a bit... this is a hobby that considers a lcd screen to be a huge innovation...
Quoted from pinballpete:Using the word esoteric made this thread esoteric.
Considering the subject and content of his post, I thought it was perfectly cromulent.
Just sayin...
While rare, not unique.
Ive found similar GREAT communities with selfless contributors in a few of my other hobbies: firearms collectors, mustang collectors, etc.
They all have also been invaded by opportunists from time to time... Unfortunately the firearms industry is in an even WORSE price run-up than pinball.... 
This is spot on. Prime examples are Cliffys, LeDs, PinCab protectors, Color DMDs, chromed everything by Mike Chestnut, footies, HEP, Glare Guards, pin footies, colored post sleeves, etc.
In terms of helpfulness, NO industry has an expert like Lloyd Olson that doles out his quantity and quality of professional advice FOR FREE. FREE. The guy is incredible. Selfless, great guy.
Quoted from tpellowe:This is spot on. Prime examples are Cliffys, LeDs, PinCab protectors, Color DMDs, chromed everything by Mike Chestnut, footies, HEP, Glare Guards, pin footies, colored post sleeves, etc.
In terms of helpfulness, NO industry has an expert like Lloyd Olson that doles out his quantity and quality of professional advice FOR FREE. FREE. The guy is incredible. Selfless, great guy.
Don't forget about B_R!
Quoted from tpellowe:This is spot on. Prime examples are Cliffys, LeDs, PinCab protectors, Color DMDs, chromed everything by Mike Chestnut, footies, HEP, Glare Guards, pin footies, colored post sleeves, etc.
In terms of helpfulness, NO industry has an expert like Lloyd Olson that doles out his quantity and quality of professional advice FOR FREE. FREE. The guy is incredible. Selfless, great guy.
yes, lloyd is very useful... don't kid yourself into thinking he is unique though... "gurus" exist in every community...
all the other stuff you mentioned has corollaries in other hobbies as well... i mentioned a/v earlier... you'd be astonished (or maybe you wouldn't) at all the useful stuff that has been produced...
i like the pin hobby, don't get me wrong... but it's not unique... another way that it isn't unique is that the hobbyists themselves THINK "their" community is unique...
Here, let me help a few out including myself. 
es·o·ter·ic (s-trk)
adj.
1.
a. Intended for or understood by only a particular group: an esoteric cult. See Synonyms at mysterious.
b. Of or relating to that which is known by a restricted number of people.
2.
a. Confined to a small group: esoteric interests.
b. Not publicly disclosed; confidential.
Quoted from phishrace:Considering the subject and content of his post, I thought it was perfectly cromulent.
Just sayin...
Had to look that one up. I am honored. Thank you.
Quoted from Nibbles:*Going to google esoteric... BRB
LOL... They lost me at cromulent.
Quoted from ccotenj:yes, lloyd is very useful... don't kid yourself into thinking he is unique though... "gurus" exist in every community...
Very true. And Pinside has many great people here that step up and help when it is needed.
Why I am proud to be a tiny fraction of a great forum.
LTG : )
Quoted from LTG:Very true. And Pinside has many great people here that step up and help when it is needed.
Why I am proud to be a tiny fraction of a great forum.
LTG : )
lloyd, give yourself more credit.... you are a pretty large fraction of this forum... not only do you have a solution for even the most obscure of problems*, you are honest and give "us" a proper perspective on what it is like to try to make a living getting people to put money into machines...
* and having been a "mini-guru" on another forum that focuses on a different hobby, i KNOW how trying it can be to explain something over and over to someone who just isn't getting it...
Quoted from ccotenj:lloyd, give yourself more credit.... you are a pretty large fraction of this forum... not only do you have a solution for even the most obscure of problems*, you are honest and give "us" a proper perspective on what it is like to try to make a living getting people to put money into machines...
* and having been a "mini-guru" on another forum that focuses on a different hobby, i KNOW how trying it can be to explain something over and over to someone who just isn't getting it...
+1
LTG correctly diagnosed 2 of my recent pin issues- 1st recommendation- BAM- spot on.
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