I think the Gary Vee type hype is key to the demand in new packs at retail and modern hit chasing that blew up; but didn't do much of anything for vintage beyond some 50's and 60's lower middle grade stars. His followers and that type are mostly 20 something singles who don't have a whole lot of money (hence the constant side hustle talk) themselves and are heavy into what I would consider gambling-type investment schemes for a big payday as a shortcut. Sneakers, crypto bro's, whatever the social narrative is is a big pay day (which usually means it's too late to get in and make much) a lot of this type will get in on. That's not really a criticism; that type just simply can't drive the peak end stuff because they do not have that capital. Buying out Target and flipping blaster boxes for double retail price, that was these guys. Mantles are not them.
This side of the hobby kind of loves to dump on them, and I do to somewhat for things like lining up at Wal Mart at 5am in flip-flops to buy out blaster boxes, but there is also a lot of good there. The Discords with these dudes are wild. They have so much positive energy and actually root for each other. While the investment strategy doesn't make a lot of sense, they are so much more positive and seem to actually have fun. They are not really collectors but like our collector-investors they do seem to genuinely enjoy some hobby aspects, preferring to 'make money' this way with a hobby than via a more traditional route. I have a good time with them in the Discords, they're just young dudes trying to make it and have a good time. I don't think they're doing it the right way, but who am I to tell others how to make it.
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