[dclowd9901]

To turn your metaphor on its head, we aren’t playing with fire when we use it constructively; rather we are very carefully and thoughtfully deploying it, no doubt due to our gradual and deadly lessons with it over time. When we “play” with it (a la fireworks or neglected campfires), it wreaks rampant destruction.

Being we are basically toddlers with this new technology, I would argue the breathless speed at which it’s finding its way into our lives tells me we are not being careful or thoughtful with it.

[TeMPOraL]

Counterpoint: "playing with it" is the only way we have to actually master something. "Carefully and thoughtfully deploying it" only comes way after many people first extensively played with it (for any specific "it"), first because of curiosity (i.e. for shits and giggles), then for a quick buck.