I think you are wrong. My daughter just made me a boat with flowers all over it, 2 drivers, and a guy with a light saber on a throne in the middle.
I agree there's more 'formed' pieces in LEGO these days, but I don't think that takes away from the creativity at all. It just gives you a few more bits to play with.
There's always been a sort of divide between people who prefer to only make the models in the instructions, and those who get creative and make whatever they like. It's a skill that needs developing. I'm sure Lego could do more to prompt kids to do that, maybe with generic sets that just have ideas and no instructions - "Build a crane", etc then ask the kid to photograph and upload it for a possible prize.
You can still buy specific general technics sets, they're part of the 'education' range, but afaik anyone can buy them.
Thanks for the legoeducation.com link; I probably wouldn't have found it myself. I've just crawled all over the main Lego website a couple of times and found nothing.
I agree there's more 'formed' pieces in LEGO these days, but I don't think that takes away from the creativity at all. It just gives you a few more bits to play with.
There's always been a sort of divide between people who prefer to only make the models in the instructions, and those who get creative and make whatever they like. It's a skill that needs developing. I'm sure Lego could do more to prompt kids to do that, maybe with generic sets that just have ideas and no instructions - "Build a crane", etc then ask the kid to photograph and upload it for a possible prize.
You can still buy specific general technics sets, they're part of the 'education' range, but afaik anyone can buy them.
http://www.legoeducation.com/store/detail.aspx?ID=1277&b...
Similarly you can buy a pack of about 30 minifigures which is fun, and part of the same range.
http://www.legoeducation.com/store/detail.aspx?CategoryID=15...
Also go into a LEGO store, and you can get a tub, and fill it up with whatever bits they have in the wall that week.
Lego is still one of the best toys for developing creativity, mathematics, etc.
BTW, If you missed it last time, http://gizmodo.com/5022769/exclusive-inside-the-lego-factory