There is some buzz about this choice overload in psychology circles.

There was an article about it in Parade a few weeks ago that had a little survey on it.

It's mainly that some people stress out because we have so many options in our lives today people worry that their missing out on something better.

Some of the simple samples/questions were things like scanning the radio stations even after you've found a song you like to make sure there's not a song you like better playing, flipping TV channels while watching a show you like to make sure there isn't something better on. Etc.

Apparently this can even lead to depression for some as they get so stressed out trying to maximize their lives.

Anyway, point being it's apparently a real issue so the other posters "credibility" isn't hurt in the least.

Sure it is. Are these people stressed out by shopping for groceries? Are they stressed out in Blockbuster? This stress seems to be rather selective, as are the survey questions you cited. Why were all the questions related to radio or television? This seems like just another pseudo-scientific crutch being used to excuse poor judgment.

No, its more like people are stressed out about keeping up to date with whats "in". Or they might be competing with the Joneses and Smiths over buying the latest car or whatnot.

That's not how the actual psychologicl research is done. That was just examples from the lame little poll Parade made themselves.

I can't remember if grocery shopping fits the bill, but it would make sense. Hell, I even get a little stressed out grocery shopping as I'm on a tight budget and try to get the best food for the least price and find myself trekking back across the store to put something back when I find something better on more of a sale.

If I go and blockbuster, I'm always there for 30+ mins as there's always a ton of movies I've missed in theaters and I want to be sure to find the 2 or 3 I want to see the most.

So I can buy into the article, as I can relate to it (aside from the leading to depression part).

That's probably part of it, but the main theme of the research is that some people are just obsessed with maximizing everything in their lives and making sure they're not missing out on something better all the time to the point that they can't enjoy anything.

We have all had these experiences. They do not normally cause stress. When I spend two hours at Best Buy making DVD choices based on my budget, I don't feel stressed at all. I am enjoying myself. Psychology is always making a mountain out of a mole hill.

You're generalizing your experience to the population.

Psychologists aren't saying this is a major problem, or that most of society feels this way.

Just that some people are afflicted by it. Perhaps the same people prone to panic attacks (that's speculation on my part).

Just because me and you (and most people) don't get stressed out doesn't mean that there's not a percentage of people that do.

But at any rate this is getting off topic.

or just "out'. I stress about one thing...and it's not really stress...but a potent form of anxiety. impaitence can be it's own killer...and it's got me by the throat.

but this in no way will hamper my enjoyment of what I already have. I only feel "over-loaded" when it comes to films I have yet to add to the library. does this mean I'm under-loaded with my current selection?

No, we all have had the experience of shopping on a limited budget and it does not cause undue stress. I agree that some people may be stressed by such a thing, However, they are abnormal and in the minority.

Pretty much all mental disorders are "abnormal and in the minority" so this is no different.

BTW, budget has nothing to do with it in the articles, that's just a factor for me.

The psychological part is just being overwhelmed by the amount of choices because some people are obsessed with "maximizing" everything and stress out about missing out on something better. Money isn't a part of this theory directly (at least not from the parade article).

I fail to see how you don't see what my point is since I actually repeated it & was almost on the verge of beating the subject to death. If anything I thought you would think I was being too simplistic with my thoughts.

It's just my opinion but here is my point again. You have said on more than one occasion that someone isn't a collector if they don't buy to complete a collection right? My point is the entire DVD collection is not obtainable making all other collections derived from it based on personal taste. If someone wants to own the entire Criterion Collection or Hitchcock Collection it doesn't make them more of a collector than someone who buys a little bit of everything. The whole point of collecting is to complete a collection, to purchase & enjoy, or both. As I said before all DVDs can't be purchased by a single person so the result is smaller personal collections you enjoy.

I was trying to address comments you have made in this thread and others given the similar subjects. Sorry if it seems a bit off topic for this particular thread. However, I will address some comments you have made here as well.

First, you seem very intelligent but do you know how stupid it sounds when you say "If I buy a bad film, it is intentional." What exactly is the point you are trying to make by owning it? You have obviously seen the film, know it is bad, will not watch it again & it will just sit there on your shelf collecting dust until the next format comes along. What purpose does a DVD have if you never plan to watch again? Must be to complete a personal collection you feel is worth having but most people probably don't. There are instances in which people buy so they can do research on particular Directors and use each film for reference, but if you don't do this then there is no point really.

Secondly, you said, "What is disturbing about some recent posts is that a few people are indicating that they bought hundreds of DVD's which they actually did not want." As I said before I have sold between 100-200 DVDs. How am I going to know for the most part if I like a film unless I watch it? Seeing as how I haven't seen a lot of films I buy them on DVD to watch them. If I don't like them I sell them. How is that disturbing? Seems like common sense to me. Having around 1,000 profit after selling them makes the possibility of renting a non-issue. Not to mention selling to upgrade a lot of early releases that had poor transfers or extras. People buy & sell DVDs for various reasons but it doesn't mean some type of research isn't done before the purchases, or the reasons for them being sold aren't warranted.

For some it's not.


Uh, I do it, to keep track of my collection. And I also keep it on my signature so I know where it is, because I visit this site at least once daily.

I hide all my DVD's, but that's just me, I think for the most part they're ugly, I don't want my house looking like Blockbuster, Best Buy, or any other various stores.

You my man, sound like you may have been visited by Tyler Durden.


Just remember, Everyone is different. There probably are a few bragging types as there are some minimalists, and there are probably a huge load of people on this forum that are just giant movie buffs. I'm one of them, I hardly watch much TV anymore, I'd rather pop in a movie. I enjoy them a whole lot more, my home theater isn't spectacular, but I do have the luxury of really enjoying my movies with great sound and better than average video. It takes all types of people to make the world go round.

there are a few of us who enjoy "bad" films. I enjoy great films too. it might seem a little twisted...but there are some awful films that have enduring qualities that I enjoy. got 2 words for ya....Bruno Mattei.

I think I've just adopted that "Plan 9" thing. looking at things via "Ed Wood eyes" can be a hell of a lot of fun and much less constricting for me as a complete film lover. just IMHO.

You've convinced me.

I've just returned from giving away all of my DVDs to charity.

I'll bet those orphans are going to have a blast watching "Le Mepris" tonight.

Yes, MY SOUL IS CLEAN! I HAVE NO MORE DVDs! SANCTIFY ME, LAWD, SANCTIFY!

HALLELUJA!

Josh, the people who start these threads are acting as if this is normal behavior. That is my problem with the threads. Holly actually asserted that she was in the majority on this matter.

That sounds very similar to my situation. We only go to the theaters three or four times a year. Otherwise, we just buy the ones we want to see and it has been working out well.

I have been considering Netflix, since there are several newer titles I have been wanting to see and haven't found a decent price on them. My buying has definitely slowed down since I have purchased most of the catalog titles I have been wanting. Now I just browse the $5.50 Walmart DVDs, price reductions, and new release ads.

I think its pretty normal to make a purchase on impulse and regret it later. Its easy to get caught up in the marketing and promo hype at times. Happens to the best of us.

No, that is not how I have defined a collector. I have defined a collector as follows:

There is no point in responding to the rest of your arguments until you quote me accurately.

Ok, I got you.

No, it is not normal to do this with a film one does not want to own. My impulse buys are of films I want which become instant priorities because of a reduced price.

What happens when/if your tastes and preferences change? Do you keep everything and let it collect dust or admit it no longer appeals to you and part ways with it? This is basically where I'm coming from.

Me, I wait for my tastes or preferences to change yet again, then I blow off the dust and voila! -- there's the film I am once again interested in, happily nestled in its alphabetized splendor there on my shelf. No fuss, no muss.

I apologize if I offended you. I did say "You have said on more than one occasion that someone isn't a collector if they don't buy to complete a collection right?" I was asking you not quoting you. I should have went back and retrieved the quote you provided. That was the one I was referring to with the most emphasis. When I quoted you I did so in the bottom two paragraphs.

Basically you are saying you're more of a collector than those that dispose of DVDs in large amounts or with regularity? I obviously want to possess DVDs but I have to have a means of finding those I which to do so. I might not just sell off 100 DVDs at once just to dispose of them but I still have the option to do so as does anyone else. You can respond to my other comments I quoted you on from my previous post if you would like.

Either way, you can "possess" movies you think are bad and I'll "possess" movies I think are good. If you feel you're more of a collector for doing so then so be it. I'll just think that is assinine and leave it at that. I mean I do "collect DVD's. Within DVD's, there are sub-categories which I collect. I also collect certain directors. This is all part of one collection." I just don't own them all but instead the ones I like. That's my collection.

Uhm, so 606 dvds is now a "Very Small Collection?"

although i will agree with your second piont....it is complete crap, and you should definately start selling them