Debate the merits of collecting and being a collector
- Thread starter AMHOLIO
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 21, 2019
I enjoy things and as an adult I can do whatever I want and I don't have to justify it.
- Joined
- Dec 6, 2021
I collect toenails (mostly my own).
It's good secondary motivation to keep your toes well-clipped, and they work well as toothpicks in a trice.
It's good secondary motivation to keep your toes well-clipped, and they work well as toothpicks in a trice.
- Joined
- Oct 8, 2018
I'll toss what I have to say on this subject here by just linking my existing post where I lay out my stance on this clearly:
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2020
I think collecting is fine as long as it doesn't damage you or others financially and you are not emotionally dependent on it. I made this thread to divert the debate from Kevin Gibe's thread, who is the definition of consoomer and sparked the collection debate.
I hope we can all enjoy hobbies no matter how useless they are.
I hope we can all enjoy hobbies no matter how useless they are.
- Joined
- Jan 23, 2019
I'm collecting guns. Lots of guns. And ammo.
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2021
I collect an item.
I never buy this item online.
I never spend more than $20 on this item.
I never go further than a 1/2 hour from my house.
I never buy this item brand new.
I've found most of them in the rubbish.
I've been doing this for over 20 years.
I have over 3000 of them.
It keeps me busy, entertained, off the streets & worse things I could spend a 20 on.
I look at it as archiving in a way. An information resource. A piece of History.
I never buy this item online.
I never spend more than $20 on this item.
I never go further than a 1/2 hour from my house.
I never buy this item brand new.
I've found most of them in the rubbish.
I've been doing this for over 20 years.
I have over 3000 of them.
It keeps me busy, entertained, off the streets & worse things I could spend a 20 on.
I look at it as archiving in a way. An information resource. A piece of History.
- Joined
- May 30, 2019
I like collecting! And while there's some collections I totally don't understand the appeal of (like glass power line insulators), I can still respect the fact that some people not only enjoy them, but have an encyclopedia's worth of autistic knowledge about them. People who genuinely enjoy something are fun to talk with. Personally, I always get the impression that a lot of criticism on collecting comes from a place of bitterness: "I wish I had more money, and here's this guy spending HIS on stuff I don't like!"
Heck, what are we kiwis, except collectors of information on silly internet drama?
Since this thread was inspired by ol' Kevin (and I know it will come up), I consider the main difference between a fan/collector and a "consoomer" to be that the former is more selective because their primary motivation is an enjoyment of the thing itself, while the latter's is gaining some kind of social status. A fan or collector can easily pass on offerings in their hobby that don't particularly interest them, and will remain interested (or sometimes get interested) in aspects of it that aren't always the most current or popular. A consoomer, on the other hand, is nearly always focused on acquiring the newest release, seeing the newest movie, playing the newest game, etc., as a way to show off and compete with other consoomers on Reddit/Twitter.
Heck, what are we kiwis, except collectors of information on silly internet drama?
Since this thread was inspired by ol' Kevin (and I know it will come up), I consider the main difference between a fan/collector and a "consoomer" to be that the former is more selective because their primary motivation is an enjoyment of the thing itself, while the latter's is gaining some kind of social status. A fan or collector can easily pass on offerings in their hobby that don't particularly interest them, and will remain interested (or sometimes get interested) in aspects of it that aren't always the most current or popular. A consoomer, on the other hand, is nearly always focused on acquiring the newest release, seeing the newest movie, playing the newest game, etc., as a way to show off and compete with other consoomers on Reddit/Twitter.
- Joined
- Jan 30, 2021
I live in a very old city with lots of antique and art shops, so I collect paintings of artists that are obscure or only somewhat known, all from the Biedermeier time period though.
They are pretty easily traded in either for cash or for another painting, and if you have multiple of the same artist it becomes a collection, and those can be worth quite a bit, even if the artist is not a star.
And other than collecting some pop-culture shit, having dozens of historical artpieces in your living spaces projects sophistication and taste.
They are pretty easily traded in either for cash or for another painting, and if you have multiple of the same artist it becomes a collection, and those can be worth quite a bit, even if the artist is not a star.
And other than collecting some pop-culture shit, having dozens of historical artpieces in your living spaces projects sophistication and taste.
BallBuster II
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2022
Collecting is a fine hobby. As long as you don't indulge above your means and have ample space to properly display or store said collection. Not to Power Level too much but I am a collector. I have not added anything new to my collection in over 2 years because with inflation and the economy the way it is, frivolous spending on my hobby isn't ideal. Level headed adults who aren't diseased by the need to consume like Gibes is, can see this and adjust accordingly.
When/if the economy levels out, perhaps I will indulge in a new addition to my collection, but until then, I don't even honestly think about it. Hell I don't even window shop knowing I do not intend to make a purchase anytime soon.
When/if the economy levels out, perhaps I will indulge in a new addition to my collection, but until then, I don't even honestly think about it. Hell I don't even window shop knowing I do not intend to make a purchase anytime soon.
Fag Albert
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Sep 6, 2015
I collect puzzle piece stickers on here.
- Joined
- Jan 2, 2020
I collect DVDs of old shows I used to watch. I've been doing it since my 20's. I'm not too fond of digital shit when it comes to TV shows because most of the time they are edited or scrubbed from online forever. IMO it's good to have something physical like that to own for, especially for archival purposes.
Only thing I own that's fucked is the 1st Ren & Stimpy collector set. Box says "unedited and uncut" yet it uses the edited and cut versions they aired on MTV.
Only thing I own that's fucked is the 1st Ren & Stimpy collector set. Box says "unedited and uncut" yet it uses the edited and cut versions they aired on MTV.
- Joined
- Jan 13, 2022
Self-awareness requires sacrifices; if you need to collect coins, postage stamps, or something like that in order not to go crazy, I don't see anything wrong with that.
Fuck funko pops though.
Fuck funko pops though.
- Joined
- Jun 15, 2017
This is too vague and I must disagree on all points.
I admire autists and despise half-assers. A hobby that's not half-assed will cost you something, and people will view it as "financially damaging". "Others" can get fucked or not depending on who they are. "Emotionally dependent" is a globohomo medicalist dysphemism for "makes me happy".
The two most important rubrics for "collecting" are
what it is you're collecting, and
what you're doing in the process (to obtain the items, and with the items after you have them).
Kevin Gibes is the lowest of the low on both (he opens his email and clicks through to pay for whatever the email tells him to buy).
Another bottom-tier example is the recently featured in the news Limited Run Games, which tell its simps about some of the items they sell, "Missing out on this release will not compromise a complete Limited Run set".
A bottom-tier mentality: I wanted to look up examples ("what objects people collect") and got google hits like
"30+ awesome things to collect as a hobby"
"246 cool things to collect (collection ideas)"
"26 of the best things to collect -- Here you'll find plenty of inspiration..."
A third, parallel rubric is profitability. If you're actually making a killing in real money reselling funko pops to the likes of Kevkev, more power to you.
Here are some ok/good examples:
- guns
- minerals
- plants (cacti, orchids, violets, bonsai)
- bitters and other alcohol which can be stored open (rolling collection)
- quality fountain pens
- cat figurines
- tarot decks
- anime garage kits
- Yixing teapots
- books on an autistic topic
- international editions of Harry Potter
- photos of graffiti with geoposition
- bread recipes that you then use at least once
- (if you're in or near a bughive) high culture ticket stubs or alternative memorabilia from events you visit
- local history museums memorabilia
- celebrity autographs that you take
- finisher medals from races you enter
Kiwisee
kiwifarms.net
- Joined
- Apr 15, 2021
Some good things to collect:
•Artbooks from your favorite piece of media. Depending on what it is, it can go up in value.
•Antique silver figures don’t lose value so long as you take care of them
•I’d argue that some anime figures might be worth collecting, as used ones can also be resold at a higher price years down the line if it becomes rarer. I’ve seen Full Metal Alchemist figures worth $30 in 2005-ish now go for $200 in used condition depending on the rarity. Figures from more obscure series can also be worth a lot these days. Just take care of them, and keep them in a display case if you’re not going to owe them in the box.
•Model planes, firearms and other equipment can look nice if you keep them in a small display case in an office. If you assembled them yourself, it can be a nice point of pride.
•Getting vintage books on a subject/genre you’re interested in. While they may not go up in value, it’s always nice to be in possession of a piece of literature long out of print that you can later upload a copy of to any archival site.
So long as it doesn’t lead into financial ruin or becomes a huge eyesore in your home, I don’t see a problem with it.
•Artbooks from your favorite piece of media. Depending on what it is, it can go up in value.
•Antique silver figures don’t lose value so long as you take care of them
•I’d argue that some anime figures might be worth collecting, as used ones can also be resold at a higher price years down the line if it becomes rarer. I’ve seen Full Metal Alchemist figures worth $30 in 2005-ish now go for $200 in used condition depending on the rarity. Figures from more obscure series can also be worth a lot these days. Just take care of them, and keep them in a display case if you’re not going to owe them in the box.
•Model planes, firearms and other equipment can look nice if you keep them in a small display case in an office. If you assembled them yourself, it can be a nice point of pride.
•Getting vintage books on a subject/genre you’re interested in. While they may not go up in value, it’s always nice to be in possession of a piece of literature long out of print that you can later upload a copy of to any archival site.
So long as it doesn’t lead into financial ruin or becomes a huge eyesore in your home, I don’t see a problem with it.
- Joined
- Jan 4, 2020
You're being weird on me. I meant if a guy spends 200-2,000$ on something, but still has money left over to pay rent, eat, and such, it's fine. His whole collection could be worth 500k$ as long as he didn't get himself into unclimbable debt.
By emotionally dependant, I meant "sees their value of themselves" in a collection. Kevin collects endless amounts of toys because 1 toy or magic card = 1 more point better than he is than someone. Losing a part of a collection you put considerable time and money into is devastating, but most people bounce back (and might even recover said loss) instead of whatever Kevin Gibes would do, probably go on a 4 week spiral of calling all his friends bad words, destroying more of people's things, and whatever emotionally stunted manchild thing he'd do.
Does that help? I was just trying to be short.
- Joined
- Jun 28, 2021
I think obsessively gathering "full collections" is usually excessive, like people who want to own every SNES game or whatever, but collecting specific things is fine. Like if you want every Final Fantasy game, that's a lot more reasonable. Or if you want a specific set of Yugioh cards rather than every single one ever made.
The only time in my life I was into collecting was Pokemon cards as a kid. It's just not something I've ever cared much for. I think collecting something that's a bit more practical is probably fine, like if it has historical an/or monetary value, such as coins.
The only time in my life I was into collecting was Pokemon cards as a kid. It's just not something I've ever cared much for. I think collecting something that's a bit more practical is probably fine, like if it has historical an/or monetary value, such as coins.
- Joined
- Oct 16, 2019
The idea of collecting seems a little questionable to me.
I've sometimes had the desire to collect things in the past, but that was at a point where I wasn't using my space for shit that I actually needed. When I started doing more stuff that involves tools and materials I could be using my space for instead, I realized the whole thing is pretty silly and very bourgeois.
You should be attached to objects because they have some kind of signicance to your personal history, stuff like old tools/instruments that are uniquely your own. I think the desire to collect tends to be a sign that a person isn't creating and making those connections, and I don't think it's wise to get used to a mindset where a person takes joy exclusively in the act of obtaining.
I won't condemn people for doing it, but just for me personally I see it as not entirely healthy and try to avoid explicitly indulging in it. I leave obsessive collection in the realm of videogames.
I've sometimes had the desire to collect things in the past, but that was at a point where I wasn't using my space for shit that I actually needed. When I started doing more stuff that involves tools and materials I could be using my space for instead, I realized the whole thing is pretty silly and very bourgeois.
You should be attached to objects because they have some kind of signicance to your personal history, stuff like old tools/instruments that are uniquely your own. I think the desire to collect tends to be a sign that a person isn't creating and making those connections, and I don't think it's wise to get used to a mindset where a person takes joy exclusively in the act of obtaining.
I won't condemn people for doing it, but just for me personally I see it as not entirely healthy and try to avoid explicitly indulging in it. I leave obsessive collection in the realm of videogames.
- Joined
- Aug 10, 2016
I feel all "collectors" should be made aware they are creating a huge ballache for whoever's gonna have to take care of that shit when they die. Not that anyone should feel obligated to give up what they enjoy in life so people can benefit after they're dead, that's the kind of mindset that leads to elder abuse and death panels and all the rest of it, and I have a hard time blaming people who have an attitude of "if I'm dead it's not my problem." All I'm saying is that it should be an informed decision. No matter how many times your next of kin assure you they will cherish every last one of your shitty knick-knacks for a very long time after you keel over, those niggers are fucking lying.
Conversely, if you can't totally cut one kid out of the will even though they're kind of a piece of shit, leaving them their entire inheritance in the form of an extensive Funko pop collection would be a really good passive-aggressive fuck you.
That said, I'm not shitting on collectors in general. I am a huge fan of museums and flea markets and libraries and whatnot, and most of them would be pretty shit if not for a collector's dedication to their autistic hobby.
Conversely, if you can't totally cut one kid out of the will even though they're kind of a piece of shit, leaving them their entire inheritance in the form of an extensive Funko pop collection would be a really good passive-aggressive fuck you.
That said, I'm not shitting on collectors in general. I am a huge fan of museums and flea markets and libraries and whatnot, and most of them would be pretty shit if not for a collector's dedication to their autistic hobby.