[Nick Koan]

I actually haven't seen the episode yet Dean, so I won't comment, but if that's the premise, no that wouldn't have been lost on me.

But, I think you are seeing something and drawing conclusions from something that really isn't there. It is true that video games have skyrocketed in popularity in the last 10 years, but for a lot of kids it isn't really taking the place of real activities, they are in addition to them. Most kids that play Tony Hawk have tried to skateboard at least once and know the difference. Some probably do pick it up, some keep playing Tony Hawk and some probably started playing whatever the hot new game is and totally forgot about Tony Hawk. The kids that don't pick up skateboarding probably weren't going to in the first place regardless. Same for kids playing Guitar Hero or Rock Band. The ones that don't want to play real instruments probably aren't going to pick any up anyway.

I think the same can be said for kids playing Grand Theft Auto. There hasn't been a significant rise or decline in automobile related thefts since the game came out because car jackers are car jackers, with or without the game.

Fun is fun, and playing is just playing. Deriving anything more grandiose is a waste of time in my opinion.