Toys, Ornaments and Memorabilia: What is the Symbolic Value of Objects?

[JackDaydream]

Human beings throughout history have created and treasured objects, as apparent in museums which display cultural artefacts. In early childhood, people begin to play and collect toys. The psychoanalyst, Donald Winnicott, described how childhood use symbolic objects as transitional objects as a way of establishing communication with others, and he speaks of the symbolic importance of teddy bears in this. Objects are frequently exchanged with others in the form of presents.

Most people collect objects of some kind, ranging from photographs, ornaments, paintings and antiques. I know individuals who collect pairs of shoes. I have always collected music, especially CDs, including obscure rock and indie, and the many albums by Bob Dylan and U2, and books. I have come across people who collect vinyl records and they don't actually have a record player. Many people value objects of financial worth and as status symbols, such as cars. Other things are often valued and kept as memorabilia, such as letters and cards.

Our home environments can be filled with objects and shopping for items can be a form of relief for people. Shopping is the pursuit of enjoyment for many people in consumer materialist culture. It was a shock for many in lockdown when it was only permitted to shop for "essential items." It is possible to accumulate clutter. I often find that I need to declutter, especially as I find it hard to be tidy. I am writing this thread, asking what value people think objects play in their lives. John Lennon sang, 'Imagine a world without possessions'. Is this possible or do we need to keep items for comfort and to preserve important memories? Many people are moving towards minimalism, valuing a clear environment while others can end up accumulating, to the point where hoarding can become a big problem. What is desirable and what works for you?

[stevie]

The idea of accumulating objects appears strange to me if I am associating 'intention' with it. When thinking of 'accumulating objects' as caused by habits not thought about then that might happen but no object comes to my mind spontaneously ... no wait ... maybe conceptual objects?

[JackDaydream]

@stevie

Perhaps you have achieved a state of minimalis. The thing is human beings do live in a world of physical objects as well as conceptual objects. Presumably, you have a computer or some kind of mobile device to read and write on in order to use the forum. Also, these are often seen as needing to be replaced with the latest model. I have only had my phone for less than 2 years and I keep getting texts from the phone company, trying to suggest upgrading to the latest model.

In a way, it is so easy to accumulate because life stresses mean that it is hard to be on top of throwing things out into the waste bin or recycling them. I am writing the thread in the midst of having to clear my parents' home quickly, because it belongs to a housing association. They had lived there many years and there are just so many basic items, from cups, towels and my mother's friend who is helping me, was laughing how there were about a hundred tea towels in drawers. I also had to move twice last year and I found that I just had so much clutter.

As an ideal, it may be best to be minimalist, but even then, it is not possible to live without any material objects. A 'conceptual' bed won't be sufficient without having a physical bed to sleep on. Also, it is not possible to manage without clothes and so many other objects. Funnily enough, because I manage with minimal kitchenware, but I know so many people who find that they have so much of this even.

[chewybrian]

The idea of accumulating objects appears strange to me if I am associating 'intention' with it. When thinking of 'accumulating objects' as caused by habits not thought about then that might happen but no object comes to my mind spontaneously ... no wait ... maybe conceptual objects?

When I was a kid, I collected matchbooks. My grandparents and aunts and uncles would pick them up for me when they went to Las Vegas or New York or whatever. They were free to them, so they could do something nice for me without spending any money. For me, it was a way to feel like I had vicariously travelled the globe and seen all kinds of amazing wonders of the world. I wish I had kept them, as they probably have some serious value at this point. But, more importantly, they would have sentimental value, helping me to remember the folks long gone who cared enough for me to gather them up as they travelled.

[Steve3007]

When I was a kid, I collected matchbooks...

Me too. In my case it was my Granny who gave them all to me. Like you, I don't have them anymore. They mysteriously disappeared not long after I started smoking as a teenager.

[Belindi]

I hang on to stuff either because it symbolises for me who I like to think I am, or because I have not the energy to get rid of it. Books are the worst.

[stevie]

@ stevie

...
As an ideal, it may be best to be minimalist, but even then, it is not possible to live without any material objects.

I'm not a fan of "ideals".

A 'conceptual' bed won't be sufficient without having a physical bed to sleep on.

Sure but you don't have to accumulate beds and without having accumulated concepts habitually you wouldn't even be able to purchase one or at least it would be more difficult.

Also, it is not possible to manage without clothes and so many other objects.

As I said accumulation of objects appears strange to me if I associate intention (to accumulate). I don't think that renders purchasing a necessary amount of cloths impossible.

[Pattern-chaser]

I have, and have had, numerous collections. I believe 'collecting' is especially popular among us autists. I collect, or have collected, chemicals (as in chemistry sets); 1/72 or 1/76 scale plastic WW2 aircraft, tanks and soldiers; books of all sorts; music media (vinyl, then CD, and now digital on my hard disk); hi-fi and digital hardware; memorabilia of all kinds; DIY tools; and so on. From time to time, it is necessary to 'prune' or even discard these collections, but it's always a bit of an emotional wrench to do so.

Why do I do it? I don't really know. These collections seem to offer some kind of value to me, although I don't think I can be more precise than that. A collection that approaches 'completion' is more valuable than one filled with gaps or missing pieces. E.g. if I encounter a new music artist, my first inclination is to obtain every recording they have ever made, even before I have heard their music. I do have to exert a conscious effort to keep such things in moderation....

[JackDaydream]

@stevie

After I wrote my reply to you earlier, I thought that in speaking of a 'conceptual' bed not being sufficient, I was referring to the issue of functionality in contrast to the symbolic value of objects. That may be where an important distinction may be made, because a person needs a bed to sleep, but, of course, associations come in on some level. For example, certain bedding and textures may bring in specific associations and memories. So far, I am not aware of anyone who collects bedding, and they are rather large and cumbersome to accumulate, but some people may collect bed linen and nighclothes. I am not sure how important beds are to the thread which I have started, but I am sure that there is some significance because human beings begin and end the day in bed, and beds are the domain of sex and dreams.

[JackDaydream]

@Pattern-chaser

I think that the topic of autism is extremely interesting in relation to the topic of objects. I have worked with people on the autistic spectrum and have found that collecting is extremely important. While I have never been diagnosed with any form of autism I have wondered if I am a little bit autistic and one of my close friends thinks that he is definitely autistic. When I was working with people who had often been diagnosed with Asperger's syndrome, I was aware that processing was a bit different from 'normal ' and that thinking a bit concrete. I once read a book which suggested that some famous people, including Immanuel Kant, may have been on the autistic spectrum. When I was doing some reading on the psychoanalytic exploration of autism, I read that internal objects, including the processes of internal 'objects' of other people may be different, and that in childhood development it is associated with how the child encounters 'the nameless dread' in the form of anxiety and negotiates anxiety and social relationships in connection with this.

But, going beyond theory, I do think that when objects are accumulated as collections it can be a buffer against emotional pain. I know that when I am feeling low that I go shopping for music. Hence, I end up with piles of CDs in my room, and I even remember a point where I had so many stacked up by my bed and they sometimes began falling into my bed during the night. But, now, I have shelved them a bit differently and, really, I think that collecting music and some other items may be a better coping mechanism than some other ones.

[JackDaydream]

@Belindi

I can definitely empathise with hanging onto things 'because it symbolises who I think I am, or because I have not the energy to get rid of it'. Also, I think that there may be a tendency to beat oneself up about it. In my case, I have moved many times, but I have various friends who have more secure accommodation and may not even see the need to get rid of things. I do think that books are the hardest part, especially if one does any writing, because it is hard to know if there will ever be a need to refer to certain ideas in them again. On a few occasions, I have given books to charity shops and then, wished to quote them, and ended up buying them again.

[Belindi]

When I remember I am not that person any more who collected all the editions of cartoons from the Express I can now get rid of that particular heap of unused stuff. The fashion for calling belongings "****" is apt because **** is stuff we shed , or should do so.

Sorry about the censorship of the word ****. This not my fault.

[Steve3007]

An exclamation mark in place of the 'i' usually does the trick.

[Pattern-chaser]

@Pattern-chaser

I think that the topic of autism is extremely interesting in relation to the topic of objects. I have worked with people on the autistic spectrum and have found that collecting is extremely important. While I have never been diagnosed with any form of autism I have wondered if I am a little bit autistic...

...just as I might wonder if you're a little bit pregnant ... but I think both of us would be quite mistaken to do so. I thank you for what was obviously an inclusive and friendly overture, but one can't be a 'little bit' autistic. That said, there are loads of 'symptoms' associated with autism, and I don't think even one of them is unique to autists. Many, maybe most, neurotypical people have one or a few of these 'symptoms'. But being autistic is qualitatively different from sharing a few particular traits with other people.

So I thank you for the good wishes you obviously intended, and let's return to collecting and collections, the subject of your OP.

[JackDaydream]

@Pattern-chaser

I do take your point about the idea of being a 'little bit autistic' as being problematic. I remember saying that to my friend who has really self-'diagnosed himself with autism. I said that it is a condition which is diagnosed by medical specialists not oneself. Funnily enough, he does think that I have autism but in a different way to him. But, really as I have worked in mental health care I guess that if I really was autistic it would have been picked up. It is also surprising when one reads psychiatry and psychology books to start wondering if one has certain disorders.

I definitely wish to continue discussing toys and material possessions. What I was surprised about is how only a couple of people in the thread have said how they acquire possessions, because we live in an acquisitive culture. This is central to capitalism. I know that I collect music and books but I know so many people who seek and own cars and property. Generally, I don't really consider myself as materialistic because even when I was working I have never sought these. If I had really wanted these I would probably have lived my life very differently. At the moment, I do hope to find a job again, but, at the same time I would rather not have a job and have less possessions than if I have a job which I cannot face going to when I wake up in the morning. One thing I am wondering about is whether people who are interested in philosophy are less materialistic, although I don't wish to generalise, because in some ways out of synch with the values of materialistic culture.