On buying the best…
I have what could be thought of as a problem. As I mentioned in my last post, I tend to find new hobbies fairly regularly, and they are almost always expensive. And of course when buying tools or supplies for my new expensive hobby, I generally look at the best and most expensive items possible. The logic here is flawed, but here it is none-the-less:
If it turns out I enjoy this hobby, I know I’m going to keep getting better, and will continue to need better and better tools to work with. So doesn’t it makes sense to just buy the good stuff now, than to buy something as a “starter” and then go back and spend the money on the good stuff later?
As an example: last year I decided I wanted to write and shoot an indie film. Why? Because I’ve always loved writing, I’ve always loved movies, and because it’s a new challenge. So obviously if I’m going to make a movie, I need atleast one camera, right? Now here is where that logic comes in. Since I would just be starting with digital videography and non-linear editing, my wife would most likely recommend that I get a lower priced camera to start with, and if after playing around and learning more I still want to do this, look into it then. Good advice I suppose. But if I’m going to enjoy this and follow through on it (and of course I’m convinced I will because it’s my latest interest) I’ll eventually need a good camera, and so the money spent on the lesser camera would just be wasted.
The best thing here is that I KNOW my thinking is flawed, because I know more often than not after playing around with a hobby a bit I move on, but I can’t convince myself at the time. It’s interesting to me how as humans we can know what’s true and right and yet still believe, or atleast deep down WANT to believe, the opposite. We have got to be the dumbest intelligent creatures on earth.