How did I know skyjedi would be the first to respond? :-\

Every sci-fi film goes through development phases when ideas are pitched, twisted around and then either included or discarded. The Force/Kiber Crystal thing was back in the treatment & writing phase - I don't think Kurtz was involved that far back.

I also agree that a large part of the PT was "look at all the toys we have", both literally and figuratively. I don't deny that the "unlimited power" he gained towards and during the PT compounded the problem, what I'm trying to figure out is when and where did the "make the kids happy" mentality start?