Posted By:
Shawn ChambersThe internet definitely helped me re-discover the hobby and pursue a new direction.
Started collecting in the early 80s as a kid and continued up through the 90s. Started losing interest in modern stuff, but my area had NO old cards at any of the shops. So kind of gave it up. Even now, I live in a fairly decent sized city (300K people or so) and 2 shops closed this year (no pre-war in either) and maybe only one shop left that sells modern only.
The internet has made it possible for me to see cards I never knew existed and communicate and expand my knowledge in ways that my local community can't provide -- no matter how many card shows I attend (which are few, far between, and poor).
Just this board alone has increased my knowledge a hundred-fold in just the past six months. That is amazing to me! How brilliant to have access to the minds and collections of some of the best and brightest in the hobby at the flick of a switch!!
Shawn