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The Incredible Robotic Snake Toy

I have always been amazed at the wide range of preferences we human beings display, preferences as varied as we are as individuals.

However, I was surprised this week to see just how far, to what extremes, this versatility of taste seems to apply to our selection of toys.

Perhaps it is partly a generational thing. But, when I was growing up in the first half of the 20th century, dolls, erector sets (the precursor of Lego) and toy soldiers were in. The occasional yo-yo could be seen, and, of course, jump rope, hop scotch, and jelly roll were wild in the playgrounds during recesses.

There were, even then, jiggly rubber, foot long, snake toys that one could purchase for 5 cents at the neighborhood grocery. These were reserved for "scare" opportunities. That is, putting them in a girl's desk at school, a young lady I, and/or a competitor for the young lady's affection, particularly admired. We then waited, in gleeful anticipation, for the order from teacher to "get your history books from your desk." This was sort of a reverse psychological ploy that never seemed to have the effect for which I and other young suitors had hoped.

Today, though, whole industries have been established to glorify slithery things, reptiles in particular. The real ones. Images, mostly posters, are evidently purchased in large numbers by 'Green' oriented parents anxious to acquaint their offspring early on with the beauty and excitement Mother Nature provides. These wall hangings can be seen in many of their first born's rooms (for this article, let's call the baby Billy). The particular example (see photo) I have included here was found immediately above Billy's crib, the intention, other than the aesthetic one mentioned, was to provide Billy with comfort when, during the night, mother's strong arms were unavailable.

If my memory serves, in my time such images were reserved for the horrible deaths of truly bad people in Buster Crab Jungle Jim movies, persons identified by their perpetual sneers. These well-deserved, but horrendous demises, were shown only on Saturday afternoons at the Plymouth Theater in my home town, being considered too gut-wrenching for daily fare.

Another example of the recent fascination with what used to be called "creepy crawlies" caught my attention as I was investigating just how far this back to nature toy craze (my oldster's label) has gone. This year and last, at least one prominent company has dedicated considerable resources to the manufacture of JUMBO INSECTS for kids three to six years of age. JUMBO INSECTS (see photo). I was, and am, dithered here. In my time, jumbo insects would have scattered me and all other knights-to-be into the halls, leaving the teachers and the girls to battle the beasts, armed with blackboard erasers.

Being in full-fledged pursuit of truth now, I found that these jumbo insect toys have been followed up by vermin (rat) cuddlies for babies. (See photo, below)

The old fashioned message we were presented in science classes was that vermin were responsible for the spread of the black plague (fleas notwithstanding). We were told that rats were and are creatures "born of filth." But, behold, we now have rat toys for our young to hold close and cherish; and, presumably to be saved in attic trunks to be discovered by posterity in the throes of yearning for a long lost better past.

I freely admit that I may be on the wrong side of this issue. Perhaps if we had gloried more in all of nature's creations, my generation would not have produced so many wackos. But then, upon reflection, I genuinely do not believe my generation is any wackier than today's issue. I mean, so we hurled ourselves from the top of Niagara in barrels. Today, we have extreme sports that attract thousands every weekend. I call that an even draw relative to lack of insight.

However, just when I think I have a grasp on things rational relative to toys; just when I am about to pronounce judgment on the modern generation, I am confronted with toys that are a whole lot better from any perspective than those we had. For example, Lego Mindstorms are so extremely wonderful, I barely have words to describe how envious I am of youth, and how deprived I feel at not having had access to these when I was in my teens.

On the other side though, there is a worry. I suppose with the creative genius young people display today, Mindstorms could be used to manufacture robotic monsters. They could be used to bring reptile nightmares alive, so that, as I put my slippers on in the mornings, a robotic Mindstorm reptile could begin nipping at my toes. With everything considered, though, I think this unlikely. After all, they are my slippers, and it is my home. So, I think I can be relatively safe in assuming, short of a law mandating robotic reptiles, compliments of a Green totalitarian regime, I am secure.

However, this morning, I found something that disturbed me all over again. The ROBOSNAKE.
Watch the following video to see what I mean:

I am having second thoughts about where toys are headed. And, if you are a concerned, thinking adult, you would be too. ROBOSNAKE Indeed!

Ron - Toy Tech

Thursday, 8:28 pm | September 3rd, 2009

Comments

Jason on Saturday, 9:25 am | September 12th, 2009

This article is super