You know, there was a time when children played for hours with wooden sticks that were grooved to make them stackable. In their time, people called them "Lincoln Logs". I know, it's crazy. There was no high-bit resolution graphics engines or complex, compartmentalized design for easy breaking. It was a simple idea, and it took creativity to play with.
OK, already off to a cynical start. But honestly, can you imagine how things have changed over the past 40 years? Before, it was erector sets and punching bags... maybe a BB gun here or there. Now it's XBox, computer games, and $50.00 electronic toys that get about four hours of use. What the hell is wrong with these kids?
And shopping for gifts. Did you hear about the Florida woman trampled by shoppers?Trampled. Not in the Serengeti, but a Wal-Mart. Over a DVD player. I enjoy my role as a consumer like the next person, but is a $29 DVD player all it takes for inciting a mindless mob these days? You figure this started with Cabbage Patch Dolls in `86, which was followed by the whole Tickle-Me-Elmo craze in `96, then Power Rangers and so on. It's nuts how much control retailers exert over us.
I always seem to lean toward preserving old values, and this is no exception. Take a moment to remember old times, when all it took to entertain children were some clothes pins and a bread pan.
OK, I can't remember those times either, but somehow, things couldn't have always been like this. Well, we're living in the here and now. So, you better give little Johnny and Suzie what they want, or else their Therapists will blame you later.
