Quitting/putting collecting on pause

@joshsquash729 "Do people actually watch videos about toys? And they're adults?"
I accidentally logged out of my YouTube account and when I logged back in, I was shown a YouTube page not influenced by an algorithm. So that's what the "normies" care about and is why the country is screwed up? I have to assume those were some of YouTube's more popular choices. Not that my YouTube viewing is high minded. It's probably 75% toys with a sprinkling of pro wrestling, science popularizers (think Neil deGrasse Tyson, Sean Carrol, etc), and an occasional ufo/alien conspiracy 👽.
 
mrboshek said:
@joshsquash729 "Do people actually watch videos about toys? And they're adults?"
I accidentally logged out of my YouTube account and when I logged back in, I was shown a YouTube page not influenced by an algorithm. So that's what the "normies" care about and is why the country is screwed up? I have to assume those were some of YouTube's more popular choices. Not that my YouTube viewing is high minded. It's probably 75% toys with a sprinkling of pro wrestling, science popularizers (think Neil deGrasse Tyson, Sean Carrol, etc), and an occasional ufo/alien conspiracy 👽.
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To be fair, the YT algorithm is always in effect. If you weren't logged in, then it wasn't basing suggestions on your personal known watch habits, likes/dislikes, etc. But it was still basing suggestions on the watch habits associated with your IP address and general location. If you logged in from the same general location and IP that you always use (whether yours or a VPN you use regularly), you still might have gotten semi-curated content.
Long way of saying; there is really no single YouTube front page and set of recommendations. It's always going to be based on variables that you are supplying to some extent.

@joshsquash729 My grandparents were like that when I was a teenager and still actively buying LEGO, McFarlane figures, etc. They were super supportive and if that's what I wanted, then that's what they'd get me. But they were always very clear about not understanding it and thinking it was a waste of money and something I should be 'growing out of.' Still wonderful people. They just had very specific views on what an adult 'is.'
 
Damien said:
To be fair, the YT algorithm is always in effect. If you weren't logged in, then it wasn't basing suggestions on your personal known watch habits, likes/dislikes, etc. But it was still basing suggestions on the watch habits associated with your IP address and general location. If you logged in from the same general location and IP that you always use (whether yours or a VPN you use regularly), you still might have gotten semi-curated content.
Long way of saying; there is really no single YouTube front page and set of recommendations. It's always going to be based on variables that you are supplying to some extent.
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Yeah, there had to be some reason for the suggestions. I just logged off while on my phone and youtube gave me a blank page suggesting I search for some videos. YouTube obviously doesn't know me. There wasn't one suggested mid-80s Japanese women's joshi puro match.
 
YouTube knows me really well. All it suggests is Toy reviews and toy hunts/toy shows, music, and ASMR. It's the most upbeat and joyous YouTube account out there :)


Also, never apologize and never faulter in what makes you happy. If you like it, and it makes you feel good, that is all that matters. Nobody's opinion on that is relevant but your own. it kills me if guys collect cars, motorcycles or coins. Or girls collect or buy purses, shoes, designer clothes, all of that is supposed to be fine.

But toys, comics, and video games are childish? It's all technically childish because it's all stuff we don't have to have. But it's stuff we want. It's stuff we enjoy, or that makes us feel good. And if you can afford it, it's your money, your life, and your stuff. You are only here once. Enjoy.

People are always stunned when they find out I collect toys. I'm 6'7 and weigh 270. I think due to my size and build they think I'm some barbarian man's man, or some grand athlete who loves sports.

Nope! I like toys!
 
akajomiha said:
I get that, @joshsquash729 - as much as I admire (and advocate) people that "let their freak flag fly", I tend to be a private person and keep my obsession hobby close to the vest. I remember even trying to hide my comic and figure collecting from my wife (back when we were first dating). She acted like I was silly to try to hide it and supports my collecting. My parents-in-law are more of the eye-rolly type. I guess the best thing to do in these situations is what you and I both did- say "Well, alright then" and move on. I'm glad your boyfriend is supportive and equally nerdy. Do you feel comfortable sharing your YT channel with us? Would love to check it out!
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I appreciate the kind words, all!

If anyone wants to check out the channel, I'll link it and the corresponding Instagram account below; trying to build the audience of both currently. Full disclosure- I'm pretty terrible at technology (my first couple videos, I was editing using a laptop over a decade old). A couple videos in, I finally upgraded my laptop, so there may be a bump in quality (but they're still pretty terrible 😅) I'm learning as I go, but as long as you don't expect high quality content for a bit, you may find them palatable. There's currently no schedule, just whenever I feel like it. Oh, and I absolutely hate my voice, and many others do as well, so I can't promise it'll be pleasant to listen to, but if you watch on mute, it'll boost the experience!

Ironically, I started the channel to help with learning a new skill and boost my self-esteem, and look at me putting myself down. I digress. I'm always down for feedback too, so don't be afraid to rip me to shreds.

Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thecrowllector

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecrowllector/
 
Man, I give anyone who can make a YouTube channel successful all the credit in the world.

I remember ToyShiz and myself started around the same time, and would often check in with one another to see how the channel was doing. He found that secret sauce that I never could, and you can see how far it took him. Me, on the otherhand, I just didn't have that kind of time, I didn't have the drive to make it anything other than what it was.

And frankly, in a sea of far more popular and beloved reviewers and personalities, I realized that I had nothing to offer that really stood out from the bunch-- other than my segment called "Action Figure Musings". I would share news and rumors from my sources (that JayC somewhat stole), but I was pissing off a LOT of toy companies by revealing some stuff I shouldn't have. I know I pissed off Zach Oat in particular. Couldn't sustain my channel off of that.

Had some pretty cool moments on the channel, though. Got to interview Pierre from Mezco when he was there. Made awesome connections. Got to have a giveaway. Fun while it lasted.
 
joshsquash729 said:
I appreciate the kind words, all!

If anyone wants to check out the channel, I'll link it and the corresponding Instagram account below; trying to build the audience of both currently. Full disclosure- I'm pretty terrible at technology (my first couple videos, I was editing using a laptop over a decade old). A couple videos in, I finally upgraded my laptop, so there may be a bump in quality (but they're still pretty terrible 😅) I'm learning as I go, but as long as you don't expect high quality content for a bit, you may find them palatable. There's currently no schedule, just whenever I feel like it. Oh, and I absolutely hate my voice, and many others do as well, so I can't promise it'll be pleasant to listen to, but if you watch on mute, it'll boost the exp

Ironically, I started the channel to help with learning a new skill and boost my self-esteem, and look at me putting myself down. I digress. I'm always down for feedback too, so don't be afraid to rip me to shreds.

Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thecrowllector

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecrowllector/
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Oh you are being way too hard on yourself. I can relate, but trust me, you have a great voice (both literally and figuratively 😊). Good on you for putting yourself out there. I’m subbed. Looking forward to see what you do in the future!
 
joshsquash729 said:
I appreciate the kind words, all!

If anyone wants to check out the channel, I'll link it and the corresponding Instagram account below; trying to build the audience of both currently. Full disclosure- I'm pretty terrible at technology (my first couple videos, I was editing using a laptop over a decade old). A couple videos in, I finally upgraded my laptop, so there may be a bump in quality (but they're still pretty terrible 😅) I'm learning as I go, but as long as you don't expect high quality content for a bit, you may find them palatable. There's currently no schedule, just whenever I feel like it. Oh, and I absolutely hate my voice, and many others do as well, so I can't promise it'll be pleasant to listen to, but if you watch on mute, it'll boost the experience!

Ironically, I started the channel to help with learning a new skill and boost my self-esteem, and look at me putting myself down. I digress. I'm always down for feedback too, so don't be afraid to rip me to shreds.

Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@thecrowllector

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecrowllector/
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You are cute and have a very endearing personality and your voice is not annoying! I subbed.
 
joshsquash729 said:
Oh, and I absolutely hate my voice, and many others do as well, so I can't promise it'll be pleasant to listen to, but if you watch on mute, it'll boost the experience!
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Hey, one of the sculptors for NECA (Tomasz) once described me as "hard to listen to", so at least you don't have to have that lingering in the back of your head for all of eternity! Lol
 
Super Camel said:
People are always stunned when they find out I collect toys. I'm 6'7 and weigh 270. I think due to my size and build they think I'm some barbarian man's man, or some grand athlete who loves sports.
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I used to watch Ethan Page's YT channel. For those unaware, he's a pro-wrestler (WWE, formerly AEW). His whole channel was toy hunts and while I hate watching people toy hunt, I found his channel really entertaining. The best part was he was often toy hunting with other pro-wrestlers, while joking with them and just having a good time. Very wholesome stuff. And it was always so cool to see the 6'+, massive, tattood 'monster' wrestler characters show up and get super excited over the toys they were finding and talking about their collections and stuff. It takes all kinds and you can never tell at a glance, that's for sure.
 
Damien said:
The addiction isn't necessarily the plastic - it's the 'adding to my shelves.' Once they can't do that anymore, the collection quickly loses its luster and isn't necessary anymore. Gotta move on to the next thing that will allow them to keep ADDING to the collection.
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I am happy to say I can definitively not in this camp. I still have and love my 5 poa JLA/JLU animated figure collection. I love it. I would be glad to add more characters to it if that ever became possible, but the inability to grow it doesnt make me want to get rid of it.

Likewise my DCUC and MOTUC collections are no longer expanding - except on the rare occasion I actually finish a custom - but again they aren't going anywhere. Just like i have collections of Marvel Bowen mini busts and Marvel Slurpee Cups... more don't get made... I just love looking at them.

Now... that being said, I AM almost pathologically acquisitional... I always have have something to collect. Over the years that jas led to me puilding collections of things based on an affinity for the property but not an abiding love, so I end up selling off those collections. I have sold off a complete collection of Playmates Simpsons figures, a vast array of NECA Predator and Alien figures, the vast majority of 7th Kingdom, Gothitropolis and Mythic Legions figures, My Star Wars Power of the Force and associated 1/18 figures, Lord of the Rings, on and on,... space isnt infinite, and eventually you find out what is meaningful enough to keep.

But yeah, I would say that more of us than will ever admit or even acknowledge don't just collect to have X or Y character on the shelf. Some us collect, at least in part, because we enjoy the addition. Putting a little +1 on the collection every few days or every week or whatever gives us that little shot of dopamine we need. When we can't get our fix, it just becomes an anxiety-inducing mass of 'stuff' we can't really do much with.
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I cant deny I'm guilty of this and always have been. I've collected comic books since I was 6 years old. I feverishly collected baseball cards in the late 70's and early 80's and built a valuable collection (sold a bunch, had a lot stolen unfortunately)), but also collected stamps, bottle caps, baseball helmets, sea shells, all kinds of different things.

If I don't have at least one thing I'm actively collecting I will literally start to go crazy.
 
Yeah - I think it's normal for us, right? I can't see someone choosing to spend thousands and thousands of dollars collecting toys just because they think toys are cool. There has to be some underlying need -to collect- in general. Otherwise we'd see toys at the store and go 'oh, that's cool' and keep walking.
 
PantherCult said:
Now... that being said, I AM almost pathologically acquisitional... I always have have something to collect. Over the years that jas led to me puilding collections of things based on an affinity for the property but not an abiding love, so I end up selling off those collections. I have sold off a complete collection of Playmates Simpsons figures, a vast array of NECA Predator and Alien figures, the vast majority of 7th Kingdom, Gothitropolis and Mythic Legions figures, My Star Wars Power of the Force and associated 1/18 figures, Lord of the Rings, on and on,... space isnt infinite, and eventually you find out what is meaningful enough to keep.
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Ah, yes...but do you have the true sickness?

The one where you've sold off entire collections, only to turn around and buy them back later?

I've bought and sold my Joe Classified collection three times now. I'm officially out and done, not doing that again. I sold many NECA horror figures through the years--only to buy most of them back. Same with Marvel Legends. Right now, I'm piecing together my Mezco Popeye figures from the early aughts, planning on Palisades Muppets next once that is done.

What is wrong with me?
 
RicksNerdLife said:
Ah, yes...but do you have the true sickness?

The one where you've sold off entire collections, only to turn around and buy them back later?
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Thankfully, not really.

Once, when I was 15 and decided I needed to "grow up and grow out of" comic books I sold off most of my collection Including Unxanny X-Men from 97 forward, Avengers from about 120 to 200 and a complete run of Marvel Team Up among many other things. I have since rebuilt my comic collection (all of the X=Men, not all of those Avengers yet).

And of course my vintage Mego figures and original Secret Wars figures I owned as a kid were lost to time and the ones i own now were acquirrd as an adult. But I've never rebought any figures I purged. Not sure I could bring myself to do it.
 
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