This. This a million times. KIlling things for fun? It deserves nothing but contempt.


I have no problem with other people killing animals I am then going to eat bits of. They're most likely trained an experienced at doing so, so they'll make a much better job of it than if an amateur like me did it and therefore the animal will suffer less, hopefully the absolute minimum amount. We delegate all sorts of nasty tasks we as a society require to other people, I see no difference in this one.

What I try to do is buy meat where I know the animal has had a pretty decent life overall and that the people involved cared about the results right up until the point it hits the shop shelf.

Jon

That my desire for a brother or brother-figure has been constantly thwarted. Also, that that thought is remarkably deep for a Sunday

I always wanted a brother too. Thought I'd find one in my sister's new husband but doesn't look like it.

I always wanted a little sister. I liked the idea of having someone to look out for. I think it can help bring on a more mature perspective to the world.

I also thought it would be a great way to meet girls when she brought her friends home and they met her cool, handsome big brother

Plus, great excuse to play with Hello Kitty and My Little Pony toys.

I've got one. They're not always what they're cracked up to be.

I figure that, but I've got two idiotic sisters. Twins, though not identical, and nothing like me! They just go with the first electrical impulse their brain sends, no matter how minor...

When are we gonna see a 'fully-formed' browser on android? I've got three just for sites that are flash heavy, have funky JS, take random notions, freeze just cos another app decided to run in the background...

What's the youngest age at which things like Meccano and Airfix are suitable? I have a 7-year old cousin who loves playing video games, doesn't want to study and lost his father over a year ago. Thought it might be worth going for some stuff that he can make/build that should hopefully prove fun as well as educational and with the aim of improving his concentration, hand-eye coordination and manual dexterity.

Debating whether to leave it until he is 8. That's about the time I got my first Meccano set.

I have a nephew whose 4 who loves playing with Lego blocks, although he doesn't do much in the way of construction of objects, if you see what I mean. Mostly he just builds towers

I think 7 would be fine for basic Lego. Some of the more complex stuff (Mindstorms etc) maybe not and I'd leave Meccano for a year or two but the simple 'put the bits together to make a car with a steering wheel that moves the wheels that you can push around'? I think a 7 year old would probably be able to cope with.

Chances are Lego have a themed range that would suit; be warned though, whoever's in charge of design needs a good slap these days. Remember when vehicles had doors? Or at least a hatch in the roof? And the bigger sets fall apart if you so much as look at them, especially with their super-thin base plates

Meccano is advertised as Ages 8 to 88.

According to Amazon, the Airfix kit I first built is also for age 8 and up.

I'd say it's at his mother's discretion whether or not he's likely to eat it or not.

Yeah I was looking at the more basic stuff at the mo. eg clicky. He can make two models out of it.

Well hopefully it should beat my Xmas present when I was 7 which was a Speak'n'Maths.


Yeah it's not quite the creativity of the old-school Lego but he's already played with them.


He's not likely to start sticking it into his mouth but I don't wanna get something that he finds is too difficult, has a temper tantrum and storms off. I've had a text-chat with her and she's okay with the Technic stuff as long it's in the right age range. I'll leave Meccano until he's about 8 or so.

Airfix he would probably need an adult to help. otherwise he might get very frustrated.

I first started doing airfix models at 4 years old

That explains a lot actually; glue and war planes