geekhack

geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: jaffers on Wed, 18 November 2015, 16:35:45

Title: The Obsession with Writing Utensils
Post by: jaffers on Wed, 18 November 2015, 16:35:45

Often I get asked by people in my personal life WHY? "It's just a keyboard, I can buy one for five dollars?" I tell them it quality. Although I think we have reached the point where any keyboard will last a lifetime and a day. I tell them its aesthetics. I tell them its the feeling of the switches.

But none of these reasons are why I like them so much. I myself still don't understand. It seems like a universal thing to love writing utensils, whether it be fountain pens, keyboards or type writers and I'm sure that there are different mediums that I haven't thought of.

So why? Because for me, is not something that I use as a tool for work. Some people are authors, and most people here I'd assume are in the IT field and use it a lot to script or program. It makes sense to them to have a tool that they invest their money in. But I also think there are a lot of us, like myself, who it is not the main tool they use everyday. I'm a university student studying electrical engineering and most of my writing and homework is writing out equations by hand in my notepad.

It just seems like such an obscure hobby. The benefits of a keyboard in many cases do not out weigh the cost. Let's face it. Its NOT cheap. A good set of keycaps will set you back anywhere between 80 usd for signature plastics to 140 usd for GMK caps. That's not even including shipping and conversion, which to Australia ends up running me about 170 aud to 210 aud. But I still persuse the hobby. Look at the korean customs, some of those are close to 500 usd, the recent Jane case was 400 alone. I've seen Clack factory caps go for 800 dollars.

I don't really know how to summarize this post because I've said everything on my mind so I'll leave it here.

Title: Re: The Obsession with Writing Utensils
Post by: inanis on Wed, 18 November 2015, 17:03:58

Allow me to summarize: Why do I do this to myself? This **** is so expensive.

I don't know the answer but I feel the same way. I've always liked writing related items, be it a pen, pencil, paper or crayon. And obviously that extends to keyboards.

I guess we should be happy that we are not alone in our passion. That at least allows us to share, learn and of course,  ***** about the cost with each other.

Title: Re: The Obsession with Writing Utensils
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 18 November 2015, 18:53:11

Addiction of any-type is seldom a singular drive..

It's a combination of maladies..

We are all very sick..  Tp4 + Alcohol = Ergodox ??  (http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/tar-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862523)

Title: Re: The Obsession with Writing Utensils
Post by: Lanx on Wed, 18 November 2015, 21:27:45

if it's getting to you.

(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nq6fj-9Z9rE/VYRkeaOH1fI/AAAAAAAAApg/uBlmlEwi2yw/s1600/Saving-Private-Ryan-Pencil.jpg)

Title: Re: The Obsession with Writing Utensils
Post by: swimmingbird on Wed, 18 November 2015, 22:44:56

People obsess over all sorts of random **** - I don't understand lots of hobbies and people especially struggle to understand this one

Remember that people are not rational creatures though so don't bother wasting the mental energy trying to justify a hobby to yourself or others.

If your hobbies bring you happiness and satisfaction embrace them

Title: Re: The Obsession with Writing Utensils
Post by: jaffers on Thu, 19 November 2015, 03:37:08

Quote from: inanis on Wed, 18 November 2015, 17:03:58

Allow me to summarize: Why do I do this to myself? This **** is so expensive.

I don't know the answer but I feel the same way. I've always liked writing related items, be it a pen, pencil, paper or crayon. And obviously that extends to keyboards.

I guess we should be happy that we are not alone in our passion. That at least allows us to share, learn and of course,  ***** about the cost with each other.

I'm happy I found this forum because of this, its nice to share a hobby with everyone else, makes for a very enjoyable social experience as well.

Quote from: tp4tissue on Wed, 18 November 2015, 18:53:11

Addiction of any-type is seldom a singular drive..

It's a combination of maladies..

We are all very sick..  Tp4 + Alcohol = Ergodox ?? 

Show Image

(http://emoticoner.com/files/emoticons/onion-head/tar-onion-head-emoticon.gif?1292862523)

You've lost it a long time ago Tp4. Never change

Quote from: swimmingbird on Wed, 18 November 2015, 22:44:56

If your hobbies bring you happiness and satisfaction embrace them

Damn right it brings me happiness and satisfaction

Title: Re: The Obsession with Writing Utensils
Post by: Oobly on Thu, 19 November 2015, 04:37:04

A good tool is never a waste of money. And keyboard, pens, pencils, typewriters are more than just tools in the sense of doing some job, they enable the creation of information. The creative process of generating information is unique to humans and very central to our sentient, concious, self-awareness. You feel special when using these things because you are special, since you are able to perform the tasks they enable and echo the creative aspect of the image of God in us.

At least that's what I tell myself when I spend "too much" on my hobby.