Posted By:
JoannI think that t206monsta added enough editorial comment to change the overall tone from Lee's.
Specifically, the first paragraph includes "I get the sense that you can't afford higher-grade cards. If I'm not mistaken you collect lower-grade cards." Lee's did not include anything that insulting, inflammatory, or directed at an individual.
Also:
Lee: "overpaying in my mind outrageously, but that's up to you if you have the means"
Other Guy: "buying low-grade cards in my mind is a waste of money as they are low-grade and not worth much (color pictures on the Internet would suffice and they are Free)"
Lee said that people pay more than he thinks the card is worth, but makes no judgment on that, does not degrade the cards or the buyers, and does not say it's a waste of money. OG inserts commentary about low-grades not being worth much, even comparing them to free internet scans.
Lee: "Just curious, everyone has the right to spend their money however they feel."
OG: "Just curious why you waste your money on low-grade cards, everyone has the right to spend the money however they feel."
Again, the disparagement of low-grade cards as a "waste of money".
For what I think he was trying to ask, I think Lee's question was pretty benign. I myself was curious to see the responses as well. I didn't read it as saying it was a waste of money, just that he was wondering about the thoughts and motivations of those that do it. He noted that he didn't see how it would be exposure/acclaim, whatever, and left the speculation at that.
I can see where it could be interpreted as condescending, but if someone wanted to geunuinely inquire as to the thought process I'm hard-pressed to come up with wording that couldn't be interpreted as condescending.
OG's post, OTOH, was facially aggressive and confrontational, and included digs and judgments about low end cards and the people that buy/collect them. If his were the only or first post, I would not read it in any way as a genuine question about interests.
I think that the responses directed to the original question are interesting and helpful in realizing the differences among collectors (especially Paul's comments about the venue for being competitive, which many of us are). Sorry to participate in thread hijacking, just trying to point out a different view.
Joann