Humans are collectors and no matter what one may claim, I find that no one is free from the habit. Most people look at collection as a process that gathers material items like stamps or money but it is not limited to that of course. Some collect travel experiences, others collect notches on the belt, emotions or, the satisfactions of being free of material collection. There is always something, I collect Steem, I collect moments with my family, I collect my thoughts here on the blockchain.
It is interesting to not note that even though we find people who brag about their collections unattractive, we may still be jealous of their collection itself. It is also interesting to note that people who will find the collection of one thing ridiculous will find that whatever they collect as valuable, even if it is as equally ridiculous. I hear of people building and collecting toy trains sets in their basement which I find crazy but, who I am I to say what doesn't have value? To each their own, no matter how useless a task may seem to me.
One thing that I try to remember is that to be able to collect takes some kind of sacrifice, even if it isn't a logical trade. In fact, perhaps all collection is somewhat illogical as it will always include some form of emotional attachment. It has to because it is always an act upon a want, a fulfillment of a desire. I want to have this, I am willing to pay this for it. I want more of this, I am willing to pay more for it. Collection, however nonsensical as to what is collected is an investment even though what gets held is utterly valueless.
People will give up money, time, relationships and all kinds of things to get a little more of what they want. Collection comes with an opportunity cost always and for me that means that I have to be very careful with what I choose to collect as I don't have the cost to waste on frivolous opportunities at the moment. However, those that feel they do have the resources to waste will gladly trade what they have for what they want. It seems like a great trade.
The problem I see too often though is that people quickly start to attach their self worth to what they have collected and no matter what that is, they then start to protect their position, defend against attack and get even more attached to it. Rather than it becoming a source of relaxation or value, it becomes a position of stress where the mind continually sees threat to what they have around every corner and, in every eye they met. Pretty soon, the thing that they fought for becomes a source of worry.
Is worry part of the want in the beginning? I think it comes as part of the growing attachment as the desires are fed until out of balance and identified with. A car so beautifully restored sits in the garage in fear of getting it scratched, a stamp collection hidden away to prevent theft, situations avoided to hold onto an emotional state. Is this healthy?
I don't know but when it comes to the things I look to collect I try to make them something that is valuable to my own experience and at least currently, that means something with utility. This is why I collect Steem but it isn't because I am attached to Steem as a thing itself, it is because of the opportunity it has to provide other opportunities that I want to collect namely, moments with my family and, my thoughts.
Today, 
The amazing thing I find is that with enough Steem Power, we will be able to survive mostly on a vote here and there for ourselves and curation on others to live a better life. Sure, we will have to live simply but, that is some kind of dream situation. Living by helping others live. This is of course a risk as it is banking on Steem surviving but this opportunity isn't available to us in any other arena as of yet.
There is no way we can do the same earning what we currently earn and investing what we have to spare but on Steem, here I am paying the price for my collection by doing something I enjoy. Most work at something they dislike so they can get what they want. I can get a chance at what I want by doing something I like. Even if Steem fails, I would have been doing something I like, even if I don't get all that I want.
Honestly, I don't understand why more people aren't taking this opportunity with both hands and running with it as hard as they can. But of course, everyone has a hierarchy of what they want and what they are willing to pay for it and even though the desire levels are high, the price is too much for many. So instead, they take lesser desires that are easier to reach, the low hanging fruit that make them feel like they are getting what they want but generally through ways that they don't really enjoy. It is an easier path to walk but it doesn't lead them to where they want to be.
What do you want from this life? What are you collecting? What is it worth to you?
Taraz
[ a Steem original ]