Random Thoughts Thread

[Menegrothx]

I know this isn't a popular thing to ask but do you think collecting is just a sugarcoated form of consumerism? If not, what's the difference?

I think the word you're looking for is materialism. Collecting of any kind can be materialism, but I don't think that a large part of game collecting falls under that label. Game collectors are helping to preserve things that are meaningful (Ballz, Bubsy 3D) "recycling" (buying products that would otherwise be thrown away) and mostly buying those items for consumption (ie a large amount, probably majority, of collectors mainly buy old games so they could play them [on the original hardware])

Ok then. Consumerism is perceived as a "disease" to many. Why are we all so okay with that?

Because other people's opinions on how you live your own life (unless it affects them) don't mean jack shit.

Consumerism affects other people. How many, depends on are you thinking locally or globally and short or long time span. Currently it's mostly poor people in third world countries who are really feeling the (most) negative impacts, so most people in affluent countries don't really see or care how their lifestyle choices could negatively impact other people.

[oxymoron]

I know this isn't a popular thing to ask but do you think collecting is just a sugarcoated form of consumerism? If not, what's the difference?

I think the word you're looking for is materialism. Collecting of any kind can be materialism, but I don't think that a large part of game collecting falls under that label. Game collectors are helping to preserve things that are meaningful (Ballz, Bubsy 3D) "recycling" (buying products that would otherwise be thrown away) and mostly buying those items for consumption (ie a large amount, probably majority, of collectors mainly buy old games so they could play them [on the original hardware])

I meant that most people on here or collectors of anything for that matter, buy excessive amounts things. I mean do we really need 25+ games a month? No, but we love games so we don't see it like that. My question was that are we just a bunch of people that have been stung by the consumerism bug or is there more to it? Materialism makes me think more of a gold digger or a sociopath than a collector.

[Menegrothx]

As long as you plan on eventually playing those 25 games and you're not buying 25 copies of the exact same game.

[Hobie-wan]

I mean do we really need 25+ games a month?

Do people need a new car every 2-4 years? Do people need clothes they wear a dozen times and then get rid of them so they can buy whatever the fashion industry tells them is in style next season? Do people need to buy the 53rd reprint of a classic novel when it's a pretty safe bet their local library has a copy? Do people need a new iphone every time Apple releases a new one? Do people need to buy name brand items when quite a few store brand staple food come out of the exact same factories? Do people need to pay ridiculous money for Fiji water to be flown in, wasting lots of resources in the process?

You can say that about anything really. There's lots of conspicuous consumption to go around, though as stated, there's a little preservation at least going on when one holds onto older products.

[Menegrothx]

You can't compare video games to cars, some high tech products (like those Apple phones) or water from Fiji. They are nowhere near as wasteful or frivolous (depending on the use of course, cars as a mode of transport are a necessity in modern life, video games as entertainment are not). There's very little wasteful practices as far as video game production is concerned (and games have moved from big cardboard and plastic boxes and large manuals to no manuals and thin plastic cases to digital only), and for the amount of content they provide, they require comparatively a very small amount of resources to manufacture&distribute (printing the games on DVD/bluray cases and some art work on a piece of paper on top of it).
And you certainly could argue, even with all the electricity consumption of PCs and consoles, that the effect they have on environment is a positive one, because the entertainment video games provide turns massive amounts of wealthy people away from potentially buying and doing things that use a lot more natural resources to produce in order to entertain themselves. If you're going to spend a lot of excess cash on entertainment, especially things like DLC, pay2win games and other digital goods are some of the most environmentally friendly ways to spend your money.

[oxymoron]

Do people need a new car every 2-4 years? Do people need clothes they wear a dozen times and then get rid of them so they can buy whatever the fashion industry tells them is in style next season? Do people need to buy the 53rd reprint of a classic novel when it's a pretty safe bet their local library has a copy? Do people need a new iphone every time Apple releases a new one? Do people need to buy name brand items when quite a few store brand staple food come out of the exact same factories? Do people need to pay ridiculous money for Fiji water to be flown in, wasting lots of resources in the process?

You can say that about anything really. There's lots of conspicuous consumption to go around, though as stated, there's a little preservation at least going on when one holds onto older products.

Do people need a new car every 2-4 years? - Yes. Cars get worn out and are a vital part of life in this day and age. It's irrational to compare cars to games.

Do people need clothes they wear a dozen times and then get rid of them so they can buy whatever the fashion industry tells them is in style next season? - No

Do people need to buy the 53rd reprint of a classic novel when it's a pretty safe bet their local library has a copy? - No but I could say the same about buy a SNES, NES, etc. games. Why buy it when you could emulate?

Do people need a new iphone every time Apple releases a new one? - No

Do people need to buy name brand items when quite a few store brand staple food come out of the exact same factories? - No

Do people need to pay ridiculous money for Fiji water to be flown in, wasting lots of resources in the process? - No

Most people don't collect retro games in hope of opening a video game history museum. If someone wants to preserve history they should be buying sealed VGA rated copies of Little Samson or Cheetahmen 2, not just any game that's a good deal.

[BurningDoom]

I buy games because they are fun, and I want to have a variety of entertainment. I also own a lot of comic books, movies, and CDs for the same reason.

Obviously I have more than your average gamer, but that's the great thing about being an adult with a disposable income.

Do I feel guilty for my "consumerism"? Absolutely not. I earned my money, and I'm not hurting anyone or anything by collecting video games.

[oxymoron]

Do I feel guilty for my "consumerism"? Absolutely not. I earned my money, and I'm not hurting anyone or anything by collecting video games.

I'm not asking if you feel guilty or not. I'm asking if collecting is consumerism or if there is more to it.

[Hobie-wan]

You missed my point. I was simply commenting on buying things beyond the necessary as related to consumerism.

A well maintained car should last 10+ years barring accident or defect. Clothes last more than a few wears to the club. Classic books that are only going to be read once are likely at the library. And so on.

[Hobie-wan]

Do people need a new car every 2-4 years? - Yes. Cars get worn out and are a vital part of life in this day and age. It's irrational to compare cars to games.

What shitty cars are people around you driving? Unless you don't know how to drive or aren't doing proper maintenance, there should only be regular replacement items like tires, brakes, spark plugs, oil, filters and things like that. If you need a new car after 2 years then the car is garbage or you're doing it wrong.

But again, I was only talking about buying things anyway.