I realize it is normal for an eight-year-old kid to enjoy playing video games. I'm all for it. I had a Nintendo when I was a kid and when Super Nintendo came out, I wanted one of those, too. And I got it - for my birthday or something.
And best I recall, no one was camping out to buy them. And NO ONE was getting SHOT while camping out to buy them.
Did you see the news coverage of the people waiting in lines to buy a PlayStation 3? They took multiple days off from their jobs to wait in line to spend $600 on a product that requires additional money spent on the accompanying games at about $60 each. (I understand you can also play music, videos, etc., but I venture to say that most folks are buying PS3 games.)
Some thugs in Connecticut took to mugging those in line, who obviously would have various forms of payment on hand. They actually shot someone who refused to give up the money. In Kentucky, the crowd was sprayed by BB pellets. And in countless others, people were injured when the crowd surged toward the doors and shelves.
Some of these people were parents buying a PS3 for their kid. Too bad that the kid's excitement will last all of six months, at which time there will be a cooler product on the market at an even higher cost which will produce even longer lines and even more desperation in gamers. Let me tell you, my kid will never EVER have the latest greatest most expensive toy. My kid will be outside playing baseball after school. And my husband and I will be at our jobs during the day instead of in line at Best Buy all week.
A select few of these people bought a PS3, took it home, took a photo which they slapped on eBay, and will make a nice profit from some IDIOT who is willing to pay $1,200. I'm almost mad at them for exploiting the idiot's lust, but then, if he doesn't have the sense not to pay twice the cost, maybe it is best that he is sitting on his couch in front of tv, secluded from the general public. (I actually heard the national news this morning call this whole thing "lust." I was pleasantly surprised they would label it as such, until I realized they attached no negative meaning to the word.)
The rest of the people in line were males between twenty and thirty years old. And every step they took toward the store entrance was another step toward being single for the rest of their lives. Twenty to thirty year old women do NOT think it is cool for a guy that age to be spending that much money on a PS3, which will, in turn, drain his ability to have a coherent and meaningful conversation or give a thought to his future.* You men think I am blowing this out of proportion but ladies, can I get a witness?
You will never hear a woman say, "Fred spends three hours a night playing video games. He is everything I ever wanted." Now, guys don't play the games thinking that it is what attracts women, but they are astounded at their singleness and whine about how they can't keep a girlfriend their age. Let me explain, guys: Your girlfriend sees your $600 purchase as irresponsible and impulsive because she also hears you complain about how you are broke and hate your job and don't know what you want to be when you grow up. Solutions to your problem include 1) save the $600. What? You say you can't afford to save it? Then how could you afford to spend it? 2) spend those three hours a night researching other jobs that interest you and pay well. Polish up your resume. Write some letters of inquiry. Go for a run, for crying out loud.
At least don't shoot people.
*I should point out that I know of one - ONE - male who is way into this stuff, but still managed/s to be a quite reasonable human being, friend, boyfriend, and now husband to my friend Alecia. He enjoys the gaming, but doesn't neglect his life or her. He's rare.
