u/ModelismoPortugal

I picked up 2 Dune Royal Ornithopter, built one, will keep one in the box. This set just feels a bit different from most modern licensed sets to me.

A few things that stood out:

• It’s the first LEGO Dune set ever. Doesn't guarantee anything, but if the theme never really continues, it could end up being seen as the “one”. And if it does continue, it’s still the original release.
• The Ornithopter design is genuinely unique. Even outside of Dune fans. It's weird, it's specific, it make you look more than one second to understand what it is.
• The mechanism/build experience is unique. The wing system and movement are fantastic.
• The minifigure selection is strong for a first wave set. It covers the main characters well, and the Baron figure in particular it's one of its kind.
• Dune as a franchise isn’t just a recent movie trend. The films are new, but the universe itself has existed for decades and has always had a core fanbase behind it.
• Dune fans don't have much collectibles to grab on and this lego will be a classic.
• Teens these days that love the movies and maybe even start reading the books will remember the set and will have money in 20 years.

From a collector/investor point of view, it does tick a few boxes.

My plan is just to leave it sealed long term (15–20 years, unless something changes).

Curious what others think!

With the summer fast approaching here in a few weeks. I can’t help but notice it feels a lot like 2008. Not the culture, music, or anything like that. Talking the general vibe going on with people and places.

Family and friends are bailing on their normal summer trips. Grocery stores, restaurants, theaters, etc all seem emptier than normal. But all the staff are there, the shelves are fully stocked, and everyone is just assuming it’ll pick back up any day now.

Memorial Day was an eye opener. I live near a rural highway that can get fairly congested on major holidays. Stop and go traffic for many miles, and it was quiet. Local campgrounds were half empty when usually you need to book 6+ months out. It felt more like a normal summer weekend, and not a holiday.

I was born in 1981 so I witnessed the recession first hand as a working adult. This isn’t meant to be political or anything, and I am sure someone much smarter than me can prove everything is fine.

Just going off my gut. Feels like the quiet before the storm, similar to the summer I experienced back in 2008 before everything started collapsing for real.

Anyone else feel the same?