Thanks to Franca Leeson on TheHub, a creativity network, I learned about the Playmobil security checkpoint toy, available through Amazon for a mere $58.99.
The reviews displayed below the information are an amazing display of creativity, and a spontaneous response to this "normalization" of the intrusive security we must now endure.
Here are a few of the "reviews" that I loved:
I was a little disappointed when I first bought this item, because the functionality is limited. My 5 year old son pointed out that the passenger's shoes cannot be removed. Then, we placed a deadly fingernail file underneath the passenger's scarf, and neither the detector doorway nor the security wand picked it up. My son said "that's the worst security ever!".
Thank you Playmobil for allowing me to teach my 5-year old the importance of recognizing what a failing bureaucracy in a ever growing fascist state looks like.
What better way to teach the next generation how to behave in a police state then with a toy such as this? I'm really hoping that they come out with a toy in which the kids can play "interregator". Think of all the fun the little folks can have waterboarding those who "hate our freedom".
Amazon is now apparently hosting discussions, as I learned when I kept scrolling along. Which is an interesting way to keep people on your site and coming back to it. Amazon as public forum.There's the age of conversation in action.
I was suspicious that this item was a joke, but apparently not. There is a whole collection of similar items, including the Playmobil Police Checkpoint, a SWAT Helicopter, a SWAT Police boat, a Radar patroller, and a police station with a jail cell, and police HQ complete with interrogation room. And you can buy a prison cell accessory. There is a jewel thief kit. [I'm not kidding].
Really, what else could be the result of hours of television about police, movies about police, and movies that glorify criminals?
The toy industry is only presenting the world as it seems to be. The fact that there is a market for this stuff is pretty startling, but there you are.
There was a sci-fi story years ago, in which an alien race wanted to change the thinking of humanity to be more receptive to the aliens. They created toys.
