Getting out of the hobby

[drlegendre .]

May I offer my two cents?

While this is totally non-specific to (vintage) computers, it applies
equally well. Vintage computers, like any other family of collectibles, is
following the same route that virtually any and every other family has
followed, is following or has followed. And it goes like this:

All family members are ranked by rarity and/or desirability, and as
expected, the best of the most desirable at any given moment will demand
the highest prices and the craziest accolades. But once the majority of the
"#1" stuff rises beyond the means of the average mortal, suddenly, the #2
and #3 items develop some clout and a following..

Soon enough, virtually all of #1 are in high-rolling private hands or
museums, and suddenly the #2 and #3 items receive new notice.. as after
all, they are drying up too, aren't they? And of course, they're just a
stone's throw from #1.. Today's #2 & #3 are tomorrow's #1.. (or #1.1, if
you prefer).

And you can all see where it goes from here. I don't need to go any
further; it's turtles all the way down, eh?

-Bill



On Wed, Oct 12, 2016 at 3:14 AM, jim stephens <jwsmail at jwsss.com> wrote:

>
>
> On 10/11/2016 1:07 PM, Seth Morabito wrote:
>
>> Hey folks,
>>
>> Recent activity on the list, especially the "Ka... ching!" thread, has
>> had me reevaluating a lot of what I get out of this hobby. I think there
>> are two things going on that make it less fun for me now: The money,
>> and the age of the stuff. I'll try to explain.
>>
>> Seth, as others said, sorry to hear you are losing interest, and don't
> want to suggest that you should not move on to another interest.  I had a
> friend who went from competitive shooting (45ACP) to Skeet shooting (3rd in
> the US), to racing boats (had at one time the US speed record for a 6 cyl
> outboard), to Astronomy, and then on to cameras.  So one can evolve in the
> hobbies and move on.
>
> I find that the thing I like that will suck me in forever is both the
> thrill of the chase of finding something, and being really satisfied when I
> find some collection of parts, or just a system that works.  in the former,
> I've bought interesting gizmos and years later have found parts that
> complemented or were parts of the system, or even completed it.  In the
> latter, finding something and examining it after getting it is the other
> part.
>
> Just my $0.02 worth.  I will probably thin the herd too, as since my
> interest lies in some amount of the thrill of the chase, once I have
> something, I hope to pass it along to someone else to enjoy.
>
> The thing here that is unique to this list and other places is just the
> collection of knowledge.  I hope we don't lose out on what you've known and
> you keep some connection to pass on what you've learned.
>
> Best in your collecting.  I'll be watching and be interested in your stuff.
>
> thanks
> Jim
>