PS3 makes Ben sad

As the lines began to form outside Circuit City and Best Buy stores throughout the country, I became overcome with a feeling of anxiety. I remember the days when parents clamored for Cabbage Patch dolls, Tickle me Elmos and the like. Children crying and parents feeling compelled to shell out money they don't have to stop the tears.
This is problematic on so many levels. First, we socialize our children to think they must have certain things. In part, this is our fault. As adults we insist on having certain items, the best new gadgets, even name brand aspirin as we turn our nose up at the generic ibruprofen. But still, it is imperative that we as adults help children vet out what is important and what is just hype.
But, here's the bit that really gets under my skin. As I saw the lines form and reporters interviewing the folks who were waiting, I realized something really sad and sobering. That realization is that most of the people in line weren't getting the PS3 for themselves. They were buying them [sometimes more than 1] so that they could sell them on Ebay for double or triple or more to desperate parents.
This is the saddest part of all. Forget the village helping to raise your children, they are too busy finding out how to take advantage of the elders. What has happened to our culture when making a buck has trumped everything else? And, I might even be able to wrap my mind around it if they interviewed someone in line who has three kids of his own and will use the money from the PS3 sale to take care of his own family. However, what I keep seeing are young 20-somethings who either don't work or don't mind taking three days off from work to sit in line outside a store.
On the other hand, we shouldn't let the folks off the hook who actually buy these items at ridiculous prices. I can't help but wonder what their life is like that they really think it's worth $3K to purchase a freakin' game. Especially when, if they could wait a month, they could probably buy it right off the shelf at the store at regular price. That group almost deserves the little Veruka Salts with whom they get to live. Still, it makes Ben sad. All sides of it.