Materialism: An Apology

As we get close to Christmas, I wanted to take a moment and discuss a subject we collectors too often neglect.

I want to talk about materialism and consumerism.
 
This is often an embarrassing subject for collectors, and I think it should be.  We live in a materialistic society, and - lets be honest - we're part of the problem.
 
The toys we own are made of fossil fuels, as are the packages they come in.  We're supporting corporate empires when we hand over our money.  And we're also supporting companies with harsh conditions and unfair practices - most of the action figures reviewed on this site originated in China.
 
Does this make you uncomfortable?  It probably should.  As collectors, we're supporting a questionable system and wasting natural resources.  At the very least, we need to acknowledge this.


But don't get too depressed.  When you spend money on action figures or toy cars or whatever, you're also supporting jobs at your local store, the artists who designed the toys, and economic growth.  There are two sides to this coin.
 
And, at the risk of sounding cynical, it's hard to buy or do much of anything that has no ill effects.  Personally, I see little difference in filling a house with toys than filling it with vases, lamps, or any other common household decorations: just about everything is made in a third world country these days.


The real indictment of materialism, though, tends to be less universal and more personal.  Materialism, as we all know, is alienating.  It reorders our priorities until we care less for those around us than we do for objects.  I have two things to say to this accusation:
It can.  But it doesn't have to.

One of the reasons I collect is that it's a hobby I share with my wife.  I've got friends who have toy collections (none so large as ours, I'm quick to boast, but that's beside the point).  And my knowledge of toys has helped me choose many the Christmas and birthday gift.
 
Is collecting a sort of obsession?  Yes.  I've gone to absurd ends to get my hands on toys I've wanted.  This is true of most hobbies, though: there are sports fans, for example, who spend more going to a single game than I spend collecting toys in an entire year.  But it might be worth it if they're going with friends or loved ones.
 
In my opinion, the true gauge for any hobby is whether it brings you closer to those you care about or pushes them away.  If anything you're doing is more stressful than relaxing, or more alienating than social, you should consider quitting.


Toy collecting is something I share with my wife, and one day I hope to have children to share it with, as well.  Is toy collecting materialistic?  Of course.  But that doesn't mean we need to lose sight of what matters.