Posts Tagged ‘Outdoor gear’
November 6th, 2009 | 
Author: Gear, Gadgets, and Collectibles
People have been collecting for centuries. Collections can range from dolls, clothes, coins, rare baseball cards worth thousands of dollars, teddy bears and other trinkets.
Most collections are comprised of oddities that have little value beyond the sentiment for the collector. Even with a collection of high dollar value, it isn’t often that a collector sells the collection to claim the money. Why, then, would someone put so much time and effort into gathering a collection?
There is a debate on why people collect things. Like childhood unmet needs and for completion. I like what Kuersteiner says in his article, “I believe the main reason people collect something is a basic interest in the topic.”
I have more then one thing I like to collect. One is topo maps, if I am in an area like I was in Steamboat and I don’t have the topo map I will get it. That topo map becomes my souvenir for the trip and also an addition to my collection of maps.
Everyone has their own reasons why they collect certain items. Following are some of the primary reasons people buy, collect and cherish teddy bears. I borrowed the teddy bear collection reasons from this site. http://www.articlealley.com/article_11202_27.html
I used their reasons and compared it to the reasons why I collect topo maps.
| TEDDY BEAR | TOPO MAP |
| It satisfies the soul | Sooths the soul because when I have a topo map I have direction and guidance |
| They have a friend or family member who encouraged them | Almost anyone that ventures into the backcountry loves to look at and study topo maps |
| They like the feeling teddy bears give them | The feeling a topo map gives me is security and knowledge |
| Teddy bears are great conversation pieces | I could look at and talk about one topo map for hours, there is so much to learn and see |
| Investment purposes | It’s an investment in my recreation and safety |
| Most everyone loves a cuddly bear | Most everyone loves to at least pretend to know where they are going and how they are going to get there |
| Teddy bears make great listeners | Topo maps are great friends they guide you to great places |
| It’s fun | And of course they are fun!! |
So the next time you wonder why people collect things, ask yourself if there has ever been anything you had an affection for and just had to have one more! http://topomaps.usgs.gov/
What outdoor gear, gadget, or tools do you like to collect? I’d love to hear from you.
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