For as long as they've existed, keyboards have been tools. A peculiar thing has happened in recent years, however. Keyboards are now our art projects, and they are as beautiful as they are utilitarian.
That said, there is something about a pristine, fresh-out-the-box, fully tuned, just assembled, never-before-used keyboard that makes us want to put it behind glass and just look at it for all eternity. It's like opening a new book for the first time; buying a new car or bike; or like a new pair of jeans. They have all yet to fulfill their purpose.
Conversely, there is something wistful about a keyboard that has shiny caps, a beaten up case, and super smooth switches because of the day-in and day-out use it's endured. It's like a book whose pages are falling out because you've read it so may times; the bike with bald tires and the car with seats that fit your exact shape; and the pair of jeans that are tearing to shreds because you wore them every single day. These things have served their purpose day-in and day-out just like our keyboards. They have not only been used, but loved.
This happens every time we get something new. We know that their newness will slowly be replaced by a lovingly used and wistful version of that object. All that remains of that once perfect object is the memory of it.
So, I do love the shiny abs keycaps on the board I've enjoyed typing on every single day, but I also covet the once new & perfect version of it too.
