iPhones. Blackberries. Wireless e-mail. iPods. Blogs. We are inundated with devices and technical demands that make us accessible to our superiors, colleagues, clients, and customers virtually 25 hours a day. We spend hours setting up our gadgets, after which we become addicted to their beckoning lure. A recent study conducted by Sheraton Hotels found that 35% of businessmen polled found greater joy in their Blackberry than in their wives. We have obviously lost our way, and have frankly fallen into perpetual preoccupation with occupation.
Leisure time is critical for one's mental health, and working a hobby or building a collection is just the thing to place the fast lane into perspective and realize you can get where your going more safely in one of those slower lanes. We need to lose our fear of a few less dollars (or a few more hollers) and leave our devices in the car. And with that freedom, walk a little slower, make a little more eye contact with the family, and scratch out some time to grow into a quiet hobby.
We could work to keep our imaginations vivid by reading by candlelight; studying a collectible and fantasizing where it came from and what was happening around it in its own era; or spending time creating something from our own hands to later display and admire. It is from these exercises that brilliance blossoms — the new author, or authority, or artist. Or simply just a refreshed mind that becomes its own master.
Don't you think it's about time to slow down and dream a little? Life will be here when you get back.
And, regrettably, so will your vibrating Blackberry.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Graying Hobbies: Has Collecting Lost its Youth?
I remember the days when you could open a phone book (yup...that long ago) and find several coin and stamp shops scattered across the yellow pages, and antique shops were big business. I would save Cracker Jack toys, McDonald's Happy Meal trinkets, and 12c comic books, not for investment, but just because I wanted to collect a set of something....anything that was small and cool.
Today, the average age of a stamp collector (the serious ones) is over 60, and the bourse floors at big coin shows are filled with middle-aged men. And those old comics and toys are being sold at auction or on eBay to successful 30-somethings with a surplus of discretionary income.
What has happened to the young collector? They may have a few Statehood quarters and maybe a $2 bill from Uncle Matt, but they're mostly out of the collecting loop.
Well, here's what I think.
Fathers have become lost on the pursuit of money for that HD TV or new Beemer to spend time together with their boys armed with a magnifying glass and some intriguing miniature piece of history -- a coin or a stamp or something that can peak interest in a youthful mind. And children are lost in the latest computer based game, AIM chat or a new mp3 to stop for a moment and, well, think. Think about what's come before them; about artistry, history, and the use of their magnificent imaginations. We have grown too dependent on the imagination of others, neatly boxed in a video game, a DVD, or a coffee table book.
Many retiring collectors are painfully discovering that the love and fascination they held for the collections they slowly acquired are not shared by the children they plan to leave them to. Those children never learned to appreciate the art and history behind those carefully preserved items. The kids only see these dusty old things as a means to buy something they want...like an HD TV or that new Beemer, once they're sold and the memories have gone.
It may be too late to inspire our older children - their minds are busy, and mostly closed. It's their children, with minds open and thirsty that can gain so much from the graying collector.
Cheers,
Dennis
Today, the average age of a stamp collector (the serious ones) is over 60, and the bourse floors at big coin shows are filled with middle-aged men. And those old comics and toys are being sold at auction or on eBay to successful 30-somethings with a surplus of discretionary income.
What has happened to the young collector? They may have a few Statehood quarters and maybe a $2 bill from Uncle Matt, but they're mostly out of the collecting loop.
Well, here's what I think.
Fathers have become lost on the pursuit of money for that HD TV or new Beemer to spend time together with their boys armed with a magnifying glass and some intriguing miniature piece of history -- a coin or a stamp or something that can peak interest in a youthful mind. And children are lost in the latest computer based game, AIM chat or a new mp3 to stop for a moment and, well, think. Think about what's come before them; about artistry, history, and the use of their magnificent imaginations. We have grown too dependent on the imagination of others, neatly boxed in a video game, a DVD, or a coffee table book.
Many retiring collectors are painfully discovering that the love and fascination they held for the collections they slowly acquired are not shared by the children they plan to leave them to. Those children never learned to appreciate the art and history behind those carefully preserved items. The kids only see these dusty old things as a means to buy something they want...like an HD TV or that new Beemer, once they're sold and the memories have gone.
It may be too late to inspire our older children - their minds are busy, and mostly closed. It's their children, with minds open and thirsty that can gain so much from the graying collector.
Cheers,
Dennis
Sunday, May 18, 2008
Welcome to the Studium Magazine Blog
Greetings, all, and welcome.
My name's Dennis Nowicki and I'm the editor of this online hobby based magazine, or e-zine, rather. Studium is Latin for enthusiasm/study, which I felt was appropriate as the masthead for this endeavor.
This began in 1996 as a means of providing the then predominantly text based web with graphics and information related to the hobbies I dove into over the years. Each issue would cover three hobby topics along with an editorial. I was an active plastic model builder as well as a collector of coins and stamps...a somewhat nerdy explorer looking for like kind. I would collect something new, study it, then write an article about the field, both to inform and inspire. It's been a labor of love over the last dozen years, but it felt a bit limited. Thus, I decided, perhaps a bit foolishly with my limited time to expand the magazine to cover a particular topic thoroughly, including multimedia, games, references, links, podcasts, and a blog. The first new issue is done, dedicated to the Sherlock Holmes enthusiast. Additional issues are ahead, covering miniatures, Greek coins, meteorites and fossils, U.S. and world coins. It's a one-man show, so please be patient.
At any rate, I'm open for constructive remarks. Kindly avoid flaming as well as profanity. It's unnecessary and only creates animosity.
Cheers,
Dennis
My name's Dennis Nowicki and I'm the editor of this online hobby based magazine, or e-zine, rather. Studium is Latin for enthusiasm/study, which I felt was appropriate as the masthead for this endeavor.
This began in 1996 as a means of providing the then predominantly text based web with graphics and information related to the hobbies I dove into over the years. Each issue would cover three hobby topics along with an editorial. I was an active plastic model builder as well as a collector of coins and stamps...a somewhat nerdy explorer looking for like kind. I would collect something new, study it, then write an article about the field, both to inform and inspire. It's been a labor of love over the last dozen years, but it felt a bit limited. Thus, I decided, perhaps a bit foolishly with my limited time to expand the magazine to cover a particular topic thoroughly, including multimedia, games, references, links, podcasts, and a blog. The first new issue is done, dedicated to the Sherlock Holmes enthusiast. Additional issues are ahead, covering miniatures, Greek coins, meteorites and fossils, U.S. and world coins. It's a one-man show, so please be patient.
At any rate, I'm open for constructive remarks. Kindly avoid flaming as well as profanity. It's unnecessary and only creates animosity.
Cheers,
Dennis
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
