Why Do We Collect Stuff?

[Terramax]

Hi there,


After a backlash to a recent thread I created about a fanatical Neo Geo collector, I thought it'd be interesting to hear what everyone's thoughts are on collecting stuff. It can be anything (not neccessarily game related) but can people list what things they collect and why?

I heard the possible theory that collecting came from the male natives where they used to keep the skulls of people/ animals they killed as a way of showing their masculinity/ power/ dominance.

To start it of, even though I don't collect anything now, I used to collect videogame soundtracks. I loved the artwork on many of them, and I spend more time listening to videogame soundtracks than what I do playing games. But now that I don't have as much money to burn, I've sold the collection to pay for other things and resorted to the evils of downloading them if I can't afford to buy.

Anyone?

 

[Queen Michael]

I collect manga books, American graphic novels, and manga-pins to put on my sweater.

 

[Amnestic]

Because having stuff is awesome and not having stuff is not so awesome? I have a few large boxes filled with random little trinkets and stuff that I'll never, ever use or even probably take out of the box itself, but I can't bear to throw it away or sell it.

 

[army-88]

I dont know... I'm a sucker for collecting things but I'm not really sure why. OCD maybe? I feel the need to buy all the collectors editions of games for no real reason.

Currently I'm collecting all kinds of rare games. Not like obscure stuff for the Atari 2600 rare but more along the lines of MGS3 Limited Edition rare. Come to think of it thats a real drain on the money pile for something I dont even have any real reason to do.

 

[Terramax]

I have a few large boxes filled with random little trinkets and stuff that I'll never, ever use or even probably take out of the box itself, but I can't bear to throw it away or sell it.

But, seriously, why?

I like the saying "things you own end up owning you". I know of women who are so overly obsessed with their homes and everything in it that they can't bare to live outside for a few days because they're so attached. But that leads to the important question 'why'?

Maybe it's just me but I always see the negative side of things like this.

I feel the need to buy all the collectors editions of games for no real reason.

Yes, I'm exactly the same. sometimes that's good because I can make a profit (I bought the LE of Under Defeat for £40 and ended up selling it for about £75) but I can't explain why I paid that extra £10 for a slightly more shiney box.