[DJ MacWoW]

There have also been quite a number of cartoons from the '40s and '50s, namely from Tex Avery and a few from I think early Warner studios, that did in fact portray cars racing trains and crossing tracks in time to "beat" the trains and having fun doing it. I'm pretty sure that there has never been an epidemic spanning from the '40s of kids actually trying that, and since I saw those cartoons myself as a kid several times, I know I certainly was never tempted to try it.

We were smarter? Have you noticed the lack of common sense lately? I never wanted to particularly emulate the music that I listened to but there certainly is a rap/thug culture now. We have 8 yr olds dressing like Britney Spears. And they are learning from TV, not Mom & Dad. Our culture has changed. Kids aren't being taught logic and common sense anymore.

[pcottraux]

Kids aren't being taught logic and common sense anymore.

True, but some of that should be built-in to at least some degree. An 8 year-old dresses like Britney Spears, but that's because she doesn't know much about sexuality. She doesn't realize that she's degrading herself or could be turning on some old pedophile pervert.

Watching dangerous or exciting situations in movies or TV is different, because kids have at least a slightly better understanding of danger. They know that there is such a thing as death, and that the character COULD be hurt or killed (that's what makes it exciting). So, depending on the kid, I would think there would be less of an inclination to actually try what they see.