LEGO...a sad indication.

 
Lego, as I knew it in the 1970s was all about constructing mini houses, farms, vehicles (both family and service) and a great use of constructive imagination.
 
I remember the joy of kids receiving Lego packs – especially if they contained more windows that worked, doors that worked and even mini interior cupboards – that worked. (That is, doors that opened and shut)
Certain roof tiles were very much prized!
Not to mention base plates, fences and gates.
 
All the Lego ‘people’ wore happy faces, with interchangeable hair and hats.
 
Building with Lego was FUN!
It was creative; buildings were able to be knocked down and rebuilt in a different format depending on the ‘builder’s’ imagination and desires.
 
Sadly…very sadly…looking at Lego displays in department stores now can be depressing. In place of the brightly (primary) coloured packs containing all those happy bricks of varying shapes and use-ability, we see many more drab colours on the boxes that contain figures and props for ‘Super Heroes’, ‘Star Wars’ and some sort of monster creature called ‘Ninjago’ (whatever he/it is – it’s not pretty!).
Weapons of all types are very visible.
Imaginative use is limited.
 
Is this what our kids’ world has come to?
 
I’m sure that the answer from the Lego creators and manufacturers is that “it’s what the kids want”……but it’s not the kids who design and make these depressing ‘toys’, is it?
Some adult somewhere designed and created the models for these newer Lego models.
WHY do they do this?
 
It’s the same (non) reason why adults (yes, ADULTS) create war-like computer games and war-like movies.
“It’s what the kids want” they say.
But, it’s only then, AFTER the ‘toys’ are created and produced - and the games and movies are produced  -  it is THEN, and only then, that the kids are EDUCATED into thinking that it is what they want and what they need!
It is simply not fair.
 
And, as for Lego – I could weep!