Are we becoming jaded or more discerning as Transformer fans?

[Skullcruncher]

IMHO we tend to judge Hasbro unfairly and seem to forget that their key market is children and making toys. Adult logic should not apply. We're fortunate that from time to time they cater toward the adult collector.

Pretty much this, the older (more experienced) we get, the more harsh we tend to judge them - at the same time we are getting further away from their main target audience. Plus with more life experience the less 'real disappointment' older fans should feel unless they haven't had much experience of life.

As a child, I was never aware of the "hidden racism" in some Transformers stories (i.e. portraying goodness and evil as being 'racial' characteristics of being Autobots & Decepticons, as well as the whole blue/red eye colour physical racial trait)

Wow I've never even thought of, read or seen anyone mention there was some racial characteristics behind transformers eye colour before. This is exactly why I have given up on the general fandom and couldn't care less if transformers faded into oblivion.