Why do we collect?

I often pose this question to my inquiring self.  Depending of the phase I’m going through, I either try to rationalise it or let my innermost whims take over, that is to say I try to find an explanation I’m comfortable with, or just stamp the matter “closed” and carry on with my usual earthly business of living, in itself question enough to raise doubts and cares, without having to dwell into the metaphysics of human behaviour.

Curiosity?

Yes, but this would not explain why we’d want to keep things, once looked upon and analysed.

A sense of  possession?

Yes, this would explain the second part of the phrase above, but then again would also negate the question it tries to answer, since one can hoard, just for the pleasure of it…

Investment?

Some might do it with this purpose in mind. But I’m sure most collectors (the more so, since most of them won’t have the financial resources it takes to have a  collection of anything that might be looked upon as an investment) search for more immediate rewarding for their act of amassing  things than to see the value of their possessions raise in the course of decades of their lives.

A challenge?

To enjoy the sensation of overcoming the hurdles of trying to put together a series of things, some harder to find than others (and then to just file them on the cabinet, never caring to look at them again, unless someone sparks the opportunity to brag about it in a casual conversation…)

A pastime?

“Time passes slowly / up here on the mountains… “ stated the old Dylan song and yes, finding a way to fill up that time can be a daunting task for some people who retire from a active life and suddenly find themselves with too much time on their hands, not having developed in the course of those well worked years  other time demanding interests that would ensure them the continuation of a life free from constant checks at the wristwatch…

Educational  interest?

If one is into collecting for just more than possessing, this might be an important driver. I feel  it is so amongst many of the collectors that share blogs on the web about philately related themes (there are some pretty good examples on my links section of this blog, but many others exist).

A combination of several of these?

Probably, yes. Like the recipe for a well known delicacy, the contents of each of the ingredients varies according to the cook, but with more of a) and less of b), in the end it all boils down to the same time honoured dish.

The fact is that collecting, like any other activity strictly related to one individual in particular, is transitional….you can’t beat cell ageing….

But as  long as we find pleasure in having our little museum for ourselves, no matter what motivation lies behind it, provided we look upon it as an occupational  and motivational boost to our daily existence  and do not overburden others with it (be it financially, space or socially wise), I see no dangers in it, other than devoting time to think about it or write stream of thought conjectures such as  I’m doing right now.

Any opinions? The comments box is always open…