Imagine what that kid could build if a tool existed that was as interesting as Minecraft, but tailored toward making iPhone apps (or another very specific type of application). In the same amount of time, he could've probably made something even more impressive.

I was trying to express a slight disappointment that the tools were a limiting factor to the ability of people (like this kid) to build amazing things.

Instead of building a calculator, would he be able to do more in the same amount of time?

In that case, could he build a game? An app? Really, it doesn't matter what the end product (or the project) is. I was only trying to express a little disappointment that there wasn't a more efficient way to channel his energy into a final product that would allow him to accomplish an even more ambitious goal.