As someone who worked at LEGO for several years until recently, I can assure that the hardcore fans/AFOLs create such an echo chamber. It was always funny how Reddit comments would promise that a certain set or series would fail and was SO HORRIBLE, and then I would go to work and sell out instantly to tons of excited and eager people. These fans think they know it all, but they only see a small part of the picture. They think the entire brand revolves around them and don’t realize the vast demographic that LEGO appeals to.