His life is completely empty and he only really gets a buzz from acquiring new things. It’s the same reason he stacks up electronics he uses once then sells, and games he only plays for an hour. If he had a job or a partner or any responsibilities whatsoever he’d be less of a slave to his compulsions, but he’ll never do it because it situations and people he can’t control are too threatening to him. He can’t even take pleasure in owning stuff, it’s just the momentary high of buying it and having something to anticipate. It’s a classic shopping addiction, like actual women who have hundreds of pairs of shoes they’ve never unboxed, let alone worn anywhere.
“As with other addictions, shopping addiction is highly ritualized and follows a typically addictive pattern of thoughts about shopping, planning shopping trips, and the shopping act itself, often described as pleasurable, ecstatic even, and as providing relief from negative feelings. Finally, the shopper crashes, with feelings of disappointment, particularly with him/herself.
Compulsive shoppers use shopping as a way of escaping negative feelings, such as depression, anxiety, boredom, and anger, as well as self-critical thoughts. Unfortunately, the escape is short-lived.
Items purchased during a compulsive shopping spree are often simply hoarded unused”
Sound like anyone we know?
That or he’s planning to found the Lou Gags museum of American boss-eyed otter weasel art.
