Toys R Us Kids

One of the interesting things about life is how much I thought adults had it figured out.

At least, I thought that as a child.

Look at that old dude.

He old.

That man looks like he been through some sheet.

Sweating wisdom.

Instead, many of us old(ish) folk are just kids dressed up in wrinkled clothing.

Hobbies that used to be for kids are now for them all growns up.

And they ready to Venmo.

Video games.

Blocks and figures.

Trading cards.

Traditionally for kids, but now dominated by adults.

They'll fight you (to some degree) in the aisles.

Pretty big industries catering to these kidults.

Yes, that's a term.

And yes, I just learned it.

As a boy, I thought sports cards were fun.

As a man, I reel at the numbers some cards are fetching at auction.

What are we buying here?

A rectangle of cardboard?

Doesn't seem that would be worth much.

Partial ownership of a famous athlete?

That sounds like slavery.

Our youth?

Ouch.

I don't quite understand the allure of it all.

To make money, sure.

But there's something else there.

This market of adults buying stuff that used to be for kids is gigantic.

I don't think a lot of us want to grow up.

And as a former child myself, I understand that part of it.

Not wanting to grow up.

I will leave my conclusion open, because I really don't want to sheet on it.

You do you.

After all.

It's your time.

Spend it how you wish.

Maybe that's the part I wrestle with.

It feels a lot like gambling.

And as an asymmetric bettor myself, you'd think I'd be into that.

But I'm not.

At least I don't think I am.

And that's the part that is interesting.

I used to love GI Joes.

Video games.

Cardboard and inch thick lucite.

But I don't anymore.

I thought I'd have it all action figured out by now.

Pew pew.