As far as propounding new ideas to save the planet here is a new one. Growing up we have all had our share of toys. It was a way to experience the unknown or pretend to be something you could only dream of. Whether it was playing house with little appliances or flying to far away lands in a pretend lego space ship. But what if we stopped making toys?
As I think that not having gadgets and toys might actually make the planet a better place. Toy mania is born out of the parents desire to distance themselves from leaking, nagging and disruptive children. So stick that ipad in front of them and problem solved.
Kids used to find something to do if their creativity was truly given free reign - I too remember hanging from trees and pretending to fly only to find out that I had landed at the bottom of the guava tree with a nail in my shin. So well - take it out - get a tetanus shot and we are back in business this time chasing dragon flies so I could tie a thread on its tail. Cost - zero dollars - Happiness - priceless.
The toy buying habits continue to adulthood for kids that grow up with the plethora of toys and lead to what is known as a consumer culture. At the end of the day all things that add no utility to life are toys. From the so called revolutionary outputs from Apple to Microsoft to Sony to Nintendo; to the car, boat and cosmetics makers churning out new goodies using a brand obsolescence strategy its all toys for young and old alike.
I mean there are now clubs dedicated to painting little toy figurines that look like some characters in a medieval period fighting with gory looking weapons and wearing fancy suits for battle. Popularity of characters like Potter and Superman have long led to a boon for such allied industries. Girls want the latest Disney doll that is born out of the business of first creating a movie character then making sure its sold in all channels and manners to unsuspecting girls and boys till their parents declare bankruptcy.
It is said that opposites attract meaning people with contrary viewpoint sometimes find chemistry to be together. But I'm referring to a modern twist where people are merely attracted towards a common place because their uber communication device aka smart phone is about to die. The charging station. From airports to hotel lobbies or even bathrooms, when in need they are attracted to this power outlet like moths to a flame or a junkie to a needle. A whole new business of supplying these hyper connected folks is now born whose lifesaver product is a backup charge. Asian tourists perpetually carry a phone sized battery pack stuck to their latest Apple phone updating their status to folks in Hong Kong or Shanghai or Bangalore as they pose for selfies with weird facial expressions and fingers pointed out in a letter V. Vain? PS: I dis'charged' my blogger duties making this insightful observation as my phone is about to breathe it's last and my flight gets call...
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