Whats the point of being a completist?

[iluvalex]

Every once in awhile I'll read someones post "Since I'm a completist, I have to get...".

I am really trying to wrap my gray matter around this thinking. What's the point? What's the drive? Is is so you can boast to the board or your friends that you "have the entire set"? Isn't that statment fleeting for your satisfaction? My past experience with my collections... no one cares. I have a DVD collection and it's only for me. I could care less what anybody else thought about it. I only get what I enjoy over and over.

I could understand it for a collector who is accumulating some valuable possessions, paintings or rare books or artifacts, but DVD's? DVD's will never hold any value now or in the future, except maybe for the rare printed one (and that's not a sure thing), but I'm not talking about that kind of completist.

I'm talking about the "Star Wars" completist, or the "Alien" completist, just to name a few.

Can you give me a reason for aquiring things you know are bad or hold no value, but must have? I would love to hear the logic.

[tomdkat]

Originally posted by iluvalex
Can you give me a reason for aquiring things you know are bad or hold no value, but must have? I would love to hear the logic.

I think the same logic you mention applies in this case as well. People's collections are just for themselves and some want to own EVERY version and copy of a given title or series they like where others buy ONLY the specific titles they feel are "important" enough (however "important" is defined) for them to add to their collection.

Practicing "completism" is one thing... posting about how one is a "completist" is something else entirely...

Peace...

[ElCuCuy2000]

I remember when DVDs first came out..I went out and bought EVERY DVD I could find at the local base exchange (and back then they were $24.99). I thought they were the best thing ever invented..then after a while, the novelty wore off, especially once they started releasing movies from the 50s, 60s, and 70s that looked like regular VHS tapes.

Even now, I barely ever buy a brand new DVD unless I find it at a used shop and it's no more than $12.99. I usually just rent. I'm more of a minimalist now than a completist.

Of course, there is stuff I'd still kill for to buy, such as the Star Wars Trilogy, the upcoming Aliens Boxed Set, Indiana Jones movies, and the occassional live concert.

I think that most "completists" have a need they have to fulfill deep down inside of themselves..almost like something is missing out of their lives and DVDs help fill that void. Some people use music, others use DVDs..just depends on what tickles your fancy.

I also must admit that there was a time that I was only buying DVDs to make my collection bigger than anybody else's that I knew. I was up to 4,000 titles at one point and smoked all of my friends away. Now I've sold off most of them and have about 200 left over, which I will most likely get rid of also in time..

[airjosh]

Sometimes it isn't really about wanting to be a completist, but it is a compulsive behavior that is part of their personality.

...this friend of mine...

Most people are compulsive about something. I am compulsive with media, from books to CDs to DVDs. When I am missing things in a series or a particular "collection" it actually eats at me, it makes my brain itch. Though occasionally if I really really don't like it, I won't buy it (see Austin Powers 2).

Interestingly, since I have had kids I am not nearly as compulsive as I usually am. I haven't had the money to buy a lot of the music, books, and DVDs that I would normally get and with kids tearing everything apart, I have relaxed a lot about it and it doesn't bother me nearly as much. It probably does, but I have so much more to think about now it is subconcious.

[aintnosin]

How to tell if someone is a completist:

See if they still purchase the Star Trek V SE this October, even though they've told you a thousand times that the movie sucks.

[tomdkat]

Originally posted by aintnosin
See if they still purchase the Star Trek V SE this October, even though they've told you a thousand times that the movie sucks.

What if the person who bought it liked it? Hell, I like the movie! (Well, I've never seen it and I'm not much of a Star Trek fan so maybe that statement isn't completely accurate.... ))

Peace...

[airjosh]

Originally posted by aintnosin
How to tell if someone is a completist:

See if they still purchase the Star Trek V SE this October, even though they've told you a thousand times that the movie sucks.

or there is people like me that are waiting for all of the DVDs to be redone before purchasing. I thought V was better then III, but I liked pretty much all of the movies except Insurrection.

[tomdkat]

Originally posted by airjosh
or there is people like me that are waiting for all of the DVDs to be redone before purchasing.

Come on man... if you're gonna make those kinds of statements, let's be accurate. You are waiting for ALL of the DVDs to be authored on a PowerMac so they will meet your HIGH standards for DVD quality and can then purchase them.....

Man... I'm in a strange mood today!

Peace...