Interesting quote on our... hobby

[FrankWakefield]

Yes, Joe...

We can be dicotimized into those of us who wish their cards were worth more, and those who wish the cards were worth less so we could collect more.

Leon, is this the book that explains about how Upper Deck owners sneaked into their plant and printed extra cards to privately sell? That is one eyeopening book, especially for collectors of modern cards.

[Rich Klein]

Is Card Sharks; written by Pete Williams

[Leon]

Originally Posted by FrankWakefield

Yes, Joe...

We can be dicotimized into those of us who wish their cards were worth more, and those who wish the cards were worth less so we could collect more.

Leon, is this the book that explains about how Upper Deck owners sneaked into their plant and printed extra cards to privately sell? That is one eyeopening book, especially for collectors of modern cards.

First of all I have not read the book I quoted. I don't read much but do like looking at the pictures. Also, I don't necessarily agree with the quote I stated. I found it on the internet and thought it was thought provoking so annied it up. I love the hobby more than most and would love it without the money aspect. But, obviously the money aspect of it makes it more intriguing, at least to me. Don't get me wrong too, I am a capitalist and do believe in capitalism (but that is for some off topic forum we never created). As the poster above mentioned I think we can be both collector and capitalist in the hobby. If I had to choose I would still take the hobby, and all it has going for it, over the money. best regards

[T206Collector]

"money, in turn, made the hobby less akin to child's play and more like work: lonely, competitive, unfulfilling, and alienating"

The author defines "work" as "lonely, competitive, unfulfilling, and alienating." He should have changed jobs. Not to turn this into Sociology 101, but this is a very Marxist comment, i.e., capitalism's alienating effect on people. That is, of course, the great debate that should not be taking place on this forum on a macroeconomic level.

Given this forum's very existence, the value of baseball cards has done anything but alienate collectors.

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

"money, in turn, made the hobby less akin to child's play and more like work: lonely, competitive, unfulfilling, and alienating"

The author defines "work" as "lonely, competitive, unfulfilling, and alienating." He should have changed jobs. Not to turn this into Sociology 101, but this is a very Marxist comment, i.e., capitalism's alienating effect on people. That is, of course, the great debate that should not be taking place on this forum on a macroeconomic level.

Given this forum's very existence, the value of baseball cards has done anything but alienate collectors.

Oh puh-lease, that is not a Marxist comment about capitalism, it is simply a comment from someone who doesn't like his job. No need to label it with a grandiose political commentary--sometimes a cigar is just a cigar.

As far as the actual issue of the post goes, I collected when I was part of a community of nerds meeting once a month in a church basement with other nerds to trade cardboard pictures of our idols, I collected as it became big business, and I will collect even if it fades back into the background. It's in my DNA. My collection isn't going anywhere regardless of whether it goes up or down in value, unless someone offers me life-altering money for it, which ain't likely to happen. I just wish I could afford to buy even more cards than I already do, so I vote for a temporary price drop, just until I can finish some sets.

[Potomac Yank]

I have no idea where this guy gets his Marxist/Capitalism ideas from.

The facts are that there are some that collect cards for the enjoyment of filling an empty slot in a set. __ A sublimation that has worked for me till this day.

We also have those that buy/sell, in order to buy cards that they collect at a savings.

Then we have the Investor/flippers, that get the enjoyment that the stock market fails to give ... mainly because they understand baseball more than they understand stocks ... providing that the market is up.

Ladies and Gentlemen, the fact is, all of the above is what makes up our cardboard hobby/business, and all of the above is legit and not a crime.
To each his own.

Now what's all this crap about Marxist, and Capitalism?
Some of you sound like Madam LaFarge, from "A tale of two Cities".

"Off with his head!"

"Burn the books!"

"Down with freedom of speech!"

"Delete it!"

[drdduet]

For me personally, it's the love of collecting. Sure, I do sell for the right price, but that's because sometimes these little pieces of cardboard become too expensive to justify keeping.

I'd rather hold $100 of disposable income in a vintage piece of cardboard than one paper.

[sportscardtheory]

I think people take this topic far too seriously. Just because "you" (no one specific) don't enjoy the hobby anymore, doesn't mean everyone else no longer does. I am 32 and have been collecting since 1989. I mainly sell and I also collect mainly HOF graded RCs. I am having more fun now than I EVER have in the hobby.

[Republicaninmass]

It did remove some of that "nerd" status from collectors. Some of those guys now look like geniuses.

Ever tell a girl you collect cards in the first 5 minutes of a conversation

[vintagewhitesox]

Originally Posted by Leon

First of all I have not read the book I quoted. I don't read much but do like looking at the pictures. Also, I don't necessarily agree with the quote I stated. I found it on the internet and thought it was thought provoking so annied it up. I love the hobby more than most and would love it without the money aspect. But, obviously the money aspect of it makes it more intriguing, at least to me. Don't get me wrong too, I am a capitalist and do believe in capitalism (but that is for some off topic forum we never created). As the poster above mentioned I think we can be both collector and capitalist in the hobby. If I had to choose I would still take the hobby, and all it has going for it, over the money. best regards

Leon, I agree. Why can't we both love to collect cards, but also love that they appreciate in value? I don't see anything wrong with that.

[Rich Klein]

The book Leon found the quote on actually focused on a bunch of collectors from Minnesota. I have that book somewhat buried here and from what I recall it's not that well written nor does the book really break new ground.

Regards
Rich

[sox1903wschamp]

Originally Posted by Rich Klein

The book Leon found the quote on actually focused on a bunch of collectors from Minnesota. I have that book somewhat buried here and from what I recall it's not that well written nor does the book really break new ground.

Regards
Rich

There are "bunches" of collectors in Minnesota?

[JasonL]

Originally Posted by sox1903wschamp

There are "bunches" of collectors in Minnesota?

Yes, they live in relative seclusion, coming out of their caves only at night to hunt for food and their favorite collectables. Like most creatures of the night, they are oddly interesting in their appearnace, but they are a peaceful people. If you are lucky, you might catch a glimpse of one if you leave out a few cards on your porch overnight!

[FrankWakefield]

Thank you, Rich. Yes, that's the book. Anyone collecting cards should read that book. Most won't. But they should...