Why do people buy crap?

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  • ldent42ldent42 Posts: 7,859
    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.
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  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    That's what I thought too, Ident.

    Plus I don't think it's so much about them constantly accumulating (crap or non-crap), more like not being able to part with or throw away anything.

    I've only seen it a handful of times...makes me a bit uncomfortable to watch.
  • It's a strange feeling looking at your Pearl Jam collection of sort throughout the years and wonder do I really need this?
  • ldent42ldent42 Posts: 7,859
    hedonist said:

    ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    That's what I thought too, Ident.

    Plus I don't think it's so much about them constantly accumulating (crap or non-crap), more like not being able to part with or throw away anything.

    I've only seen it a handful of times...makes me a bit uncomfortable to watch.
    There was one i vividly remember of a woman who went shopping at the thrift store as part of her daily routine.
    I'm not gonna lie, I was amazed that she could get up and dressed and out every day.
    I also didn't go to my thrift store for a few weeks after that, and I would generally browse through the books outside a couple times a week.
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  • rgambsrgambs Posts: 13,576
    I don't shop, shopping as entertainment is just sad. Trying to fill the holes in your life by buying shit you don't even care about, convincing yourself you do care, its just pathetic.
    Instead of going to buy something, GO DO SOMETHING!
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • rgambs said:

    I don't shop, shopping as entertainment is just sad. Trying to fill the holes in your life by buying shit you don't even care about, convincing yourself you do care, its just pathetic.
    Instead of going to buy something, GO DO SOMETHING!

    I buy Pearl Jam stuff.
  • rgambsrgambs Posts: 13,576

    rgambs said:

    I don't shop, shopping as entertainment is just sad. Trying to fill the holes in your life by buying shit you don't even care about, convincing yourself you do care, its just pathetic.
    Instead of going to buy something, GO DO SOMETHING!

    I buy Pearl Jam stuff.
    I buy bootlegs from the shows I attend and a few that are really good. The rest is just stuff. I'm not into stuff.
    Monkey Driven, Call this Living?
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    I buy used records, CDs, DVD's and books whenever possible because to me music and books are very nearly as important to me as food, water and shelter. But I also do occasionally buy new books and music- not often but when I do I cringe a bit. The only thing I can say to that is that I take as good a care of them as possible, always look for quality or restorable (why won't my spell check fix that word?) and buy used when possible. But all used items were new once, right?
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • hedonisthedonist Posts: 24,524
    brianlux said:

    I buy used records, CDs, DVD's and books whenever possible because to me music and books are very nearly as important to me as food, water and shelter. But I also do occasionally buy new books and music- not often but when I do I cringe a bit. The only thing I can say to that is that I take as good a care of them as possible, always look for quality or restorable (why won't my spell check fix that word?) and buy used when possible. But all used items were new once, right?

    Everything old is new again.

    Or not. Whatever - that song came to mind :)

    I guess our levels of importance placed on certain things varies. Figure when we care, we compensate in other ways.

    :yin_yang:
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    hedonist said:

    brianlux said:

    I buy used records, CDs, DVD's and books whenever possible because to me music and books are very nearly as important to me as food, water and shelter. But I also do occasionally buy new books and music- not often but when I do I cringe a bit. The only thing I can say to that is that I take as good a care of them as possible, always look for quality or restorable (why won't my spell check fix that word?) and buy used when possible. But all used items were new once, right?

    Everything old is new again.

    Or not. Whatever - that song came to mind :)

    I guess our levels of importance placed on certain things varies. Figure when we care, we compensate in other ways.

    :yin_yang:
    :yin_yang: Yes, Yin Yang!
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • I love doing things and I love collecting things.
  • rgambs said:

    I don't shop, shopping as entertainment is just sad. Trying to fill the holes in your life by buying shit you don't even care about, convincing yourself you do care, its just pathetic.
    Instead of going to buy something, GO DO SOMETHING!

    gee, thanks.

    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    I don't get how it can be a psychological condition, when these things aren't real. I mean, how do I say this properly? how can humans have a condition in their brain that involves things that are outside of the natural world? do any other mammals hoard things?
    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    I don't get how it can be a psychological condition, when these things aren't real. I mean, how do I say this properly? how can humans have a condition in their brain that involves things that are outside of the natural world? do any other mammals hoard things?
    Squirrels and pack rats!!!
  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    What really gets me is when all that is available (locally at least) is crap. I get leg cramps at night (old man shit-that-happens) and was told a heating pad helps. So I went out and bought one and the only brand I could find is Sunbeam but that's OK because Sunbean is a good brand, right? NO! It's a PIECE...OF...CRAP!!
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • callencallen Posts: 6,388

    It's a strange feeling looking at your Pearl Jam collection of sort throughout the years and wonder do I really need this?

    Did that few years ago and stopped.
    10-18-2000 Houston, 04-06-2003 Houston, 6-25-2003 Toronto, 10-8-2004 Kissimmee, 9-4-2005 Calgary, 12-3-05 Sao Paulo, 7-2-2006 Denver, 7-22-06 Gorge, 7-23-2006 Gorge, 9-13-2006 Bern, 6-22-2008 DC, 6-24-2008 MSG, 6-25-2008 MSG
  • callen said:

    It's a strange feeling looking at your Pearl Jam collection of sort throughout the years and wonder do I really need this?

    Did that few years ago and stopped.
    I'm thinking about putting on the breaks too.
  • bootlegger10bootlegger10 Posts: 15,944
    I now collect just stickers and pins, and then posters of shows I go to. The stickers and pins don't take up much space and don't cost a lot for thr most part. Fun to trade.
  • ldent42ldent42 Posts: 7,859

    ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    I don't get how it can be a psychological condition, when these things aren't real. I mean, how do I say this properly? how can humans have a condition in their brain that involves things that are outside of the natural world? do any other mammals hoard things?
    The comparison isn't valid imo. Human brains and squirrel brains are not equal. I mean personally, ive never met a pigeon with BPD, but no one's arguing that exists right?
    From what I've heard it's a coping mechanism. They hoard shit and hang on to everything as a distraction from some fucked up shit that happened to them, so like instead of grieving and moving on they fixate on some idea which somehow involves "rescuing" newspapers from the garbage. There's some kind of connection between hoarders being unable to throw anything out and the traumatic loss they experienced that triggered it.


    I collect stickers and pins. What I've got now wouldn't even fill a shoebox. I've got a couple posters and t-shirts but i wouldn't call myself a collector.
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  • chadwickchadwick Posts: 21,157
    edited January 2016
    .
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."

    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • chadwickchadwick Posts: 21,157
    edited January 2016
    i know a few folks who have problems with spending money. it seems they can't stop. they don't buy junk, the stuff they buy is nice, it just never ends. it seems everyday is wide open for spending money.

    boats, cars, trucks, off road vehicles, guns, stereos, tvs, other electronics, hunting trips all over the lands, stock piling food - 10 or 20 pounds of coffee at a time. a good idea if you're going to get snowed in some winter. i know a dude who has owned more than probably 500 cars. some vehicles he's owned for hrs & resold or traded them off. some folks are never content with a damn thing, this drives me absolutely fucking bananas

    perpetually out of their damn minds in search of a deal

    fuck that
    Post edited by chadwick on
    for poetry through the ceiling. ISBN: 1 4241 8840 7

    "Hear me, my chiefs!
    I am tired; my heart is
    sick and sad. From where
    the sun stands I will fight
    no more forever."

    Chief Joseph - Nez Perce
  • RKCNDYRKCNDY Posts: 31,013

    ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    I don't get how it can be a psychological condition, when these things aren't real. I mean, how do I say this properly? how can humans have a condition in their brain that involves things that are outside of the natural world? do any other mammals hoard things?
    Well you don't understand because you don't have the condition. People deal with emotions in different ways. My FIL was married to a lady that had a room dedicated to her doll...one of those dolls that looks real. The room had a crib, toys, the closet was filled with clothes. she changed its diaper. I whispered to Mr. RK ' she must have always wanted a girl' since she had 3 adult sons. She came back from changing the doll's diaper and said, "I always wamted a girl, now I have one and I don't have to watch it grow up and leave me". Kinda sad, but she isn't harming anybody.
    I realize it's not exactly like hoarders, but I get the emotional attachment to inanimate objects. Ever read the article about lab monkeys that live alone cages and when a fake stuffed monkey is put in the cage, the monkeys cling to and hug the fake monkey? I assume it's like that, the objects provide some sort of comfort.
    The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.

    - Christopher McCandless
  • RKCNDY said:

    ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    I don't get how it can be a psychological condition, when these things aren't real. I mean, how do I say this properly? how can humans have a condition in their brain that involves things that are outside of the natural world? do any other mammals hoard things?
    Well you don't understand because you don't have the condition. People deal with emotions in different ways. My FIL was married to a lady that had a room dedicated to her doll...one of those dolls that looks real. The room had a crib, toys, the closet was filled with clothes. she changed its diaper. I whispered to Mr. RK ' she must have always wanted a girl' since she had 3 adult sons. She came back from changing the doll's diaper and said, "I always wamted a girl, now I have one and I don't have to watch it grow up and leave me". Kinda sad, but she isn't harming anybody.
    I realize it's not exactly like hoarders, but I get the emotional attachment to inanimate objects. Ever read the article about lab monkeys that live alone cages and when a fake stuffed monkey is put in the cage, the monkeys cling to and hug the fake monkey? I assume it's like that, the objects provide some sort of comfort.
    I wasn't trying to diminish the condition. I believe it's real; I was just (poorly) trying to articulate that I'm personally ignorant on how it works. that's all I meant.

    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • ldent42 said:

    ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    I don't get how it can be a psychological condition, when these things aren't real. I mean, how do I say this properly? how can humans have a condition in their brain that involves things that are outside of the natural world? do any other mammals hoard things?
    The comparison isn't valid imo. Human brains and squirrel brains are not equal. I mean personally, ive never met a pigeon with BPD, but no one's arguing that exists right?
    From what I've heard it's a coping mechanism. They hoard shit and hang on to everything as a distraction from some fucked up shit that happened to them, so like instead of grieving and moving on they fixate on some idea which somehow involves "rescuing" newspapers from the garbage. There's some kind of connection between hoarders being unable to throw anything out and the traumatic loss they experienced that triggered it.


    I collect stickers and pins. What I've got now wouldn't even fill a shoebox. I've got a couple posters and t-shirts but i wouldn't call myself a collector.
    I didn't make the squirrel comparison, Tempo did. Either way, what you say makes sense. I mean, in a small sense, I guess my buying shit on ebay was a coping mechanism, so it's really the same, just taken to the extreme.

    new album "Cigarettes" out Spring 2025!

    www.headstonesband.com




  • brianluxbrianlux Posts: 42,038
    I didn't quite catch the whole conversation but I heard someone mention today that there are something like 50 million (it was a huge number) Americans who could not, if need be, come up with $500 cash. Over spending a bit are we, fellow Americans??
    “The fear of death follows from the fear of life. A man [or woman] who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”
    Variously credited to Mark Twain or Edward Abbey.













  • ldent42ldent42 Posts: 7,859
    RKCNDY said:

    ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    I don't get how it can be a psychological condition, when these things aren't real. I mean, how do I say this properly? how can humans have a condition in their brain that involves things that are outside of the natural world? do any other mammals hoard things?
    Well you don't understand because you don't have the condition. People deal with emotions in different ways. My FIL was married to a lady that had a room dedicated to her doll...one of those dolls that looks real. The room had a crib, toys, the closet was filled with clothes. she changed its diaper. I whispered to Mr. RK ' she must have always wanted a girl' since she had 3 adult sons. She came back from changing the doll's diaper and said, "I always wamted a girl, now I have one and I don't have to watch it grow up and leave me". Kinda sad, but she isn't harming anybody.
    I realize it's not exactly like hoarders, but I get the emotional attachment to inanimate objects. Ever read the article about lab monkeys that live alone cages and when a fake stuffed monkey is put in the cage, the monkeys cling to and hug the fake monkey? I assume it's like that, the objects provide some sort of comfort.
    i saw that doll thing on an episode of SVU once. saddest fucking shit ever. Woman loses her baby and gets a doll made and she takes the doll to the park and shit like in a pram and everything. It's scary cuz you know shit like that happens IRL.
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  • I would buy this
    image
  • HesCalledDyerHesCalledDyer Posts: 16,440

    ^^^
    This is all good advice.
    I regularly de-clutter, sometimes six months is too long.
    Any dollar store stuff I buy only last a few days anyway so I am good there.
    I enjoy throwing garbage out of the house.

    HFD - To your earlier comment about not being able to watch the Hoarders show. It is very hard to watch because you can't believe that it is real. Once you watch one episode you will forever be scanning your home for shit to throw out, ha.

    My sister and I have often thought about calling up A&E and getting our dad on that show. He's not nearly as bad as the folks I've seen on there, but he's definitely a hoarder. It's bad enough that I really don't like going to his house. And goodness, if I ever do get a girlfriend, I'm surely not taking her there.
  • RKCNDYRKCNDY Posts: 31,013

    RKCNDY said:

    ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    I don't get how it can be a psychological condition, when these things aren't real. I mean, how do I say this properly? how can humans have a condition in their brain that involves things that are outside of the natural world? do any other mammals hoard things?
    Well you don't understand because you don't have the condition. People deal with emotions in different ways. My FIL was married to a lady that had a room dedicated to her doll...one of those dolls that looks real. The room had a crib, toys, the closet was filled with clothes. she changed its diaper. I whispered to Mr. RK ' she must have always wanted a girl' since she had 3 adult sons. She came back from changing the doll's diaper and said, "I always wamted a girl, now I have one and I don't have to watch it grow up and leave me". Kinda sad, but she isn't harming anybody.
    I realize it's not exactly like hoarders, but I get the emotional attachment to inanimate objects. Ever read the article about lab monkeys that live alone cages and when a fake stuffed monkey is put in the cage, the monkeys cling to and hug the fake monkey? I assume it's like that, the objects provide some sort of comfort.
    I wasn't trying to diminish the condition. I believe it's real; I was just (poorly) trying to articulate that I'm personally ignorant on how it works. that's all I meant.

    Fair enough...thank you for clarifying.
    The joy of life comes from our encounters with new experiences, and hence there is no greater joy than to have an endlessly changing horizon, for each day to have a new and different sun.

    - Christopher McCandless
  • PJ_SoulPJ_Soul Posts: 49,954
    edited January 2016
    ldent42 said:

    I mean it's a psychological condition. I'm not so sure why that's hard to understand, but then again I have seen the show.

    I get most of it. I understand it's a psychological condition, and I get the whole thing behind not being able to control behaviour when it's a psychological condition or mental illness. I just don't get the refusal to clean anything part. That doesn't seem to have anything to do with a problem with attachment to what is hoarded or anything. I don't understand the connection between hoarding and complete filth and a refusal to wipe a counter or clear a cobweb, yet it seems to be so common with severe hoarders.
    Post edited by PJ_Soul on
    With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world. Be careful. Strive to be happy. ~ Desiderata
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