Buying expensive things for a "collection".

SuperInfinity · 30-10-2012 07:54PM #1

I've never understood how people can spend so much money for an antique or painting or book, even some computer games. Not to enjoy, but just to "have".

What's the point? They're just going to sit there. Who cares if something was made during the first Chinese dynasty, it belongs in a museum. Are you going to sleep better because you know that they're there? Is it going to make for interesting conversation for you, where you can pretend that it somehow makes you superior for owning them? What if nobody thought something was worth any value, would you relegate it to the attic then because it's not "valuable"?

And are you really going to benefit that much from looking at them? That's what paintings were originally for - looking at and enjoying. That was before the days of photographs and computers. You can look at any painting you want on a computer now for free.

Bipolar Joe · 30-10-2012 07:59PM

Is this thread just because you don't understand the concept of having a collection of things?

o1s1n · 30-10-2012 08:00PM

If you're not a collector, you'll never understand.

Now excuse me, I've to go and marvel at my rare videogames and artwork.

Lando Griffin · 30-10-2012 08:04PM

Going to add this thread to my collection of crap threads.

Where To · 30-10-2012 08:05PM

I collect people.

Kylo Ren · 30-10-2012 08:06PM

I collect people who collect people.

gobnaitolunacy · 30-10-2012 08:06PM

Why don't you start a collection of crisp packets? They're quite cheap.

Where To · 30-10-2012 08:08PM

Keno 92 wrote: »

I collect people who collect people.

I collect people like you too.

blatantrereg · 30-10-2012 08:09PM

Is it going to make for interesting conversation for you, where you can pretend that it somehow makes you superior for owning them?

Interesting conversation if the other person is interested maybe, but that's not why most people would collect things.

As for superiority, you'll get people who collect stuff as a way of showing off wealth yes, but most people who collect things aren't thinking that way.

It's just nice to have nice things and to keep them nicely. And it's nice to have stuff that stimulates your imagination.

You say that they belong in a museum, but I'm guessing you're the sort of person who finds museums generally pretty boring.

Lenin Skynard · 30-10-2012 08:10PM

Because others enjoy some things that you don't. It doesn't have to be rationalised.

Schism · 30-10-2012 08:10PM

I'd imagine for some people that are super rich it might be more a value thing, as in they'd be able to tell you how much each piece cost. For regular folk though it's just an accomplishment, something to enjoy and use. A DVD collection for example.

o1s1n · 30-10-2012 08:10PM

gobnaitolunacy wrote: »

Why don't you start a collection of crisp packets? They're quite cheap.

They start cheap. But then you get to a point where you want that original Mr Tayto concept art and you're back into big money again!

gobnaitolunacy · 30-10-2012 08:12PM

That Andy Warhol piece with the Tayto packets. That'd be worth a few bob.

kincsem · 30-10-2012 08:13PM

I collect "thanks".

Abi · 30-10-2012 08:26PM

SuperInfinity wrote: »

I've never understood how people can spend so much money for an antique or painting or book, even some computer games. Not to enjoy, but just to "have".

What's the point? They're just going to sit there. Who cares if something was made during the first Chinese dynasty, it belongs in a museum. Are you going to sleep better because you know that they're there? Is it going to make for interesting conversation for you, where you can pretend that it somehow makes you superior for owning them? What if nobody thought something was worth any value, would you relegate it to the attic then because it's not "valuable"?

And are you really going to benefit that much from looking at them? That's what paintings were originally for - looking at and enjoying. That was before the days of photographs and computers. You can look at any painting you want on a computer now for free.

It's not quite the same as owning something though. I wouldn't buy something to own and hide it from the world. I think if you're going to spend the spondoodles on something, you have to enjoy it.

Classic cars for eg

When I get a chance / hear about them, I go to vintage and classic car meets. If you buy something like that you get to own a bit of history, and allow others to enjoy them too

MadsL · 30-10-2012 08:48PM

SuperInfinity wrote: »

You can look at any painting you want on a computer now for free.

In that case, why would you go to a concert? You can download the mp3. Why would you go to the ballet. You can watch it on youtube. Why go to a GAA match, watch it on RTE.

Seems like a lot of life you are missing out on.

MadsL · 30-10-2012 08:49PM

kincsem wrote: »

I collect "thanks".

How's that working for ya?

30-10-2012 09:25PM

o1s1n wrote: »

They start cheap. But then you get to a point where you want that original Mr Tayto concept art and you're back into big money again!

I have an extensive collection of 'Tayto Crisps' packets, from the past four decades.
My 'King Crisps' collection is slightly more selective, though I do possess some 'first edition' packets from the late 70's.
However, my real interest is in locating the elusive 'missing r' 'Perri Crisps' pack from November/December 1971.
As most of you will know, the much sought after 'PERI CRISPS' - even seeing it written down gives me goose bumps - was first spotted by a 8 year old Dublin boy - who travelled with his family to run amok for the summer with hundreds of his fellow Dubliners - in the picturesque village of Kilmuckridge.
Pale Blue in colour, the treasured salt 'n' vinegar pack was stolen during a rare public viewing in Tubercurry Co.Sligo on the 6th of January 1972.

Any information on the 'missing 'r' Perri Pack will be handsomely rewarded.

im invisible · 30-10-2012 09:30PM

got any Crun-chos?

SuperInfinity · 30-10-2012 09:30PM

MadsL wrote: »

In that case, why would you go to a concert? You can download the mp3. Why would you go to the ballet. You can watch it on youtube. Why go to a GAA match, watch it on RTE.

I agree, I've never understood those things either, apart from the ballet maybe. In some ways you have much better seats in your own living room, and better singing/sound quality with the mp3. Ballet might be a little different since you're closer and what you hear/see at the ballet is all designed for the actual audience there. It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the very high ticket prices.

When you buy a piece of current media like a DVD or CD you're supporting the artists, they wouldn't exist if people didn't. I'm not sure how/why anyone would want to support a dead painter.

im invisible · 30-10-2012 09:32PM

MadsL wrote: »

In that case, why would you go to a concert? You can download the mp3. Why would you go to the ballet. You can watch it on youtube. Why go to a GAA match, watch it on RTE.

exactly! now you have the idea

MadsL · 30-10-2012 09:33PM

SuperInfinity wrote: »

Why would anyone want to support a dead painter?

None of the art hanging on my walls is by dead painters. All of them are alive and hopefully doing more art as a result of the proceeds.

Do you just not 'get' art?

Feathers · 30-10-2012 09:40PM

SuperInfinity wrote: »

I've never understood how people can spend so much money for an antique or painting or book, even some computer games. Not to enjoy, but just to "have".

What's the point? They're just going to sit there. Who cares if something was made during the first Chinese dynasty, it belongs in a museum. .

You know.that most things in museums started off in private collections, right?

phasers · 30-10-2012 09:46PM

I collect jaunty hats, cos they look nice. I display them on my wall.

MadsL · 30-10-2012 09:51PM

SuperInfinity wrote: »

Ballet might be a little different since you're closer and what you hear/see at the ballet is all designed for the actual audience there. It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the very high ticket prices.

Tickets at Sadlers Wells start at 12 quid. You can see The Nutcracker (again!) in Dublin this Christmas for €22.50. About the price of a cinema ticket and a medium drink and popcorn. Shockin' prices.

Icepick · 30-10-2012 09:52PM

manias keep the economy going

o1s1n · 30-10-2012 09:54PM

SuperInfinity wrote: »

I agree, I've never understood those things either, apart from the ballet maybe. In some ways you have much better seats in your own living room, and better singing/sound quality with the mp3. Ballet might be a little different since you're closer and what you hear/see at the ballet is all designed for the actual audience there. It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the very high ticket prices.

When you buy a piece of current media like a DVD or CD you're supporting the artists, they wouldn't exist if people didn't. I'm not sure how/why anyone would want to support a dead painter.

You think an MP3 has better sound quality than a life performance?

Are you just trolling now or do you just not know anything about music?

Cienciano · 30-10-2012 09:57PM

I'm with you OP, collecting things is pointless. One of my mates collects national geographic. It's an obsession and he's just missing a few. It's just a pile of magazines that he never reads. Another collects beer mats. It's turned into a bag of junk and crap stuck all over a wall. It's like some sort of ocd.
Computer games or dvd's are different cos you can watch them. Most collections make people look weird, like people who collect teddybears, toys that have to be in the original packaging, nazi memorabilia etc. You end up with a room dedicated to it and you officially become a weirdo.

PucaMama · 30-10-2012 09:58PM

i have a few dog ornaments, id love more if i had the room.

also its not realy a collection but id like a bigger fishtank. im looking for cichlids (fish) when i move.

o1s1n · 30-10-2012 10:06PM

Cienciano wrote: »

I'm with you OP, collecting things is pointless. .

Collecting things which are worth something is definitely not pointless and can make you a lot of money if you're smart about it. The antique and collectible industry is worth billions.

I collect videogames and have a very good eye for rare ones. Have bought a lot of games over the years which are very valuable now.

Saying that, I do get what you say about people with odd collections - like rooms full of teddy bears and dolls. It does seem a bit 'odd'.

Lenin Skynard · 30-10-2012 10:21PM

Dolls are no less 'odd' than video games and as strange as it might seem to the general boards public, people actually do things without being motivated by financial gains.

Buying expensive things for a "collection".

Comments