I’ve often wondered what an impressionist layout would look like. The focus on total realism eventual gave way in painting to abstraction; What would an abstract layout look like? I picture rails set into a barren polished wood tabletop…hrm.

But I do take issue with this idea that “model trains harken back to a less sophisticated, less technical world”. Maybe this is the impression one gets at the hobby shop, but all too quickly we forget that hacking (in the modern sense of the word) originated with the MIT model railroad club! And for good reason! Model railroads—as you have discovered—are fertile ground for a lot of techno-whiz-bang fun. I think that this is a good angle for bringing younger generations into the fold: Not only de-emphasize transition-era modeling, but re-emphasize the total hackability layouts afford, giving it some of the DIY cachet of Arduino etc.

But I’m preaching to the choir. I don’t know how to make this point to a broader audience, given that the usual outlets are fairly resistant to this kind of thinking. (Well, I do know one way: Start my own forum! Of course, I’ve already done that with JNSForum.com. But there must be a more efficient way…)

Just popped in

J/K

You and I actually had a short conversation on this very topic on my blog just over three years ago (http://permanentquivive.wordpress.com/2008/04/03/95/).

Just a few options (size, serif/sans, background, music) and you’re set to write with the wind. It’s like meditating while writing.