Finally, a toy that invites children to explore the nature of cruelty. In fact, Electronic Test Tube Aliens ($15) are either the most cynical and ill-conceived toys on the market, or the world's first truly existential toy. The story is simple: There's an alien invasion on, and you get to be a collaborator by taking care of a Wi-Fi-enabled, battery-powered alien adoptee. Three of the aliens are good and three are evil; whether yours is good or evil has no bearing on how your creature will behave, since these test-tube babies can't fight each other or really do anything. Except die. In fact, that's their specialty.
Via Postcards from the Bleeding Edge [1], “Tes t Tube Aliens: Gadget of the Week [2]”
You know … this just … fifteen dollars … words … fail me.
Next thing you'll know, peopl e will be selling virtual 70s style porn beds [3] … oh wait a second …
[2] http://www.popularmechanics.com/blogs/technology_news/4213115.html
[3] http://www.secondlifeherald.com/slh/2007/01/100_position_sl.html