Collecting Is A Low Form of Greed
Coinosaurus
Posts: 9,645 ✭✭✭✭✭
So wrote John Adams in the latest Medal Collector's Advisory. Agree or disagree?
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Ron
Edited for spelling
My wife thinks I am O C D about it but heck she thinks that about most
of my greedy habits
Disagree with Mr. Adams
It's the pretty little pieces of metal that I like
I "collect" ex-wives.
* duh..I meant a masochist.
I say collect what you like.
"Inspiration exists, but it has to find you working" Pablo Picasso
Camelot
"A dog breaks your heart only one time and that is when they pass on". Unknown
The Dalai Lama is a very spiritual guy. He has transcended. Does he fly coach or first class? And I really like the Pope's solid gold pectoral cross, etc, etc, etc.
The Seven Deadlies, it's a matter of degree for those of us who are living in the material world.
Someone may be projecting his own issues onto our low form of specially focused OCD. Is a high form of greed, whatever that might be, more or less OK?
Lloyd Blankfein might consider this "capital formation".
At my age some "Greed" serves as a partial sublimation of Lust
"The perfect is the enemy of the good".
<< <i>Scrooge McDuck swimming about in his cubic mile of money is Greed.
The Dalai Lama is a very spiritual guy. He has transcended. Does he fly coach or first class? And I really like the Pope's solid gold pectoral cross, etc, etc, etc.
The Seven Deadlies, it's a matter of degree for those of us who are living in the material world.
Someone may be projecting his own issues onto our low form of specially focused OCD. Is a high form of greed, whatever that might be, more or less OK?
Lloyd Blankfein might consider this "capital formation".
At my age some "Greed" serves as a partial sublimation of Lust
"The perfect is the enemy of the good". >>
This was a good read!
<< <i>Not greed. Just a modern manifestation of the hunter/gatherer in all of us ... ok, most of us. >>
Is the above really true...I collect a few types of objects none of which I collect in mass quantities; quite the opposite really.
GrandAm
<< <i>Better to collect coins then betting tickets at the track. >>
That's getting too close to home, Bear.
"Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
I enjoy the history and art of coins, and I certainly don't have a huge fortune tied up in them, but I wonder sometimes if I am making them my treasure. I sometimes think of selling them all and doing something more worthy with the money. I sold the majority of my coins over the last year to pay bills when I was unemployed, so perhaps my problem is partly solved in any case.
Interesting thread topic, I'm glad to see that some other people think about these things.
I prefer to think of it as a case of "render unto Ceasar..." If our government mint makes collectibles, it is our duty to collect them, lots and lots. We need a good "greed" emoticon of a guy licking his chops and wringing his hands.
Seriously, I like the point you make that life's "real" values are spiritual, and, like the manna in the desert, must be gleaned anew each day.
I'm with pendragon1988's thoughts. One can get consumed so much into having to have stuff that they can miss more important stuff or potentially lead to a greedy mentality.
On the collectors standpoint, I don't agree with people who say they'll NEVER EVER sell ANY of their coins. To me, that's greedy to not let someone else enjoy owning some finer coins. I understand taking pride in what you worked so hard to obtain, but good grief, it's just a coin.....or is it greed and bragging rights that you have?
Too many positive BST transactions with too many members to list.
<< <i>If most lose $$ on their collections how is this greed?------------------------BigE >>
An excellent point BigE , i've always understood it as we are custodians of the coins , nobody "owns" them.For example one of my first coins , an Alexander lll almost 1000 years old , i often wonder how many people have said they "owned" it or how many collections it's been in before finding it's way from the vast ruggedness of the Scottish hills to Pennsylvania.
Is it greedy of us to preserve these coins for future generations ? I don't think so.
<< <i>
I've always understood it as we are custodians of the coins , nobody "owns" them. For example one of my first coins , an Alexander lll almost 1000 years old , i often wonder how many people have said they "owned" it or how many collections it's been in before finding it's way from the vast ruggedness of the Scottish hills to Pennsylvania.
Is it greedy of us to preserve these coins for future generations ? I don't think so. >>
I think that's one fairly healthy way of looking at collecting. I like the idea that we're preserving pieces of history for future generations to learn from and enjoy. Sort of avarice vs. conservation, if you will.
<< <i>I think that if a person is willing to pay more than face value for a coin, then a certain primeval arousal has been stirred......the study, the hunt, the bidding wars, the coveting....... Yeah, I would label it as greed. >>
As young men , isnt that exactly how we go about finding our life partners ? Sure it is , first we study the female for the qualities we seek , of course we hunt for years sometimes before finding that , bidding wars can be likened to competing with other suiters and the coveting ...what is it that old books says..about coveting another mans wife..so yeah , the coveting is there.
So the natural way of life and procreation = Greedy if we are to accept this , so i'm thinking we're good.
If the collector sells to upgrade, then s/he is a collector.
Greed has far less value in a collection than pride.
The name is LEE!
<< <i>Greed has far less value in a collection than pride. >>
OTM
It is amazing how some of these guys who amass huge fortunes start spouting socialist rhetoric after they become economically secure. Mr. Adams has a net worth that far exceeds mine, and I don't see him opting for poverty or even middle class status on a voluntary basis. Yet he's out making statements like this.
<< <i>AS Michael Douglas once said,,,,,,,,,,,,, "GREED IS GOOD"
GrandAm
In moderation greed is good because it motivates people to work hard and achieve goals that often benefit society as a whole. Henry Ford made the automobile affordable which freed people from the boredom, isolation and drudgery of rural life. And yea, Ford got rich in doing so. Bill Gates and Steve Jobs made computers affordable and accessible to billions of people around the world, and yea they got rich.
There is nothing wrong with providing an incentive to do something better which improves the human condition.
I collect because chicks dig it.
It's like being a rock star!
<< <i>Greed?
I collect because chicks dig it.
It's like being a rock star! >>
Whom do you date?
My wife does understand my collection, and views it as a store of wealth. But don’t get wrong most of our assets in the usual investment vehicles.