disabled modeler Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 I build because I love it...also because it gives me something to do...I enjoy the challenge and try to get better every time I build but its also nice to just have a simple build too. My dad got me started at around 6 or 7 years old...never stopped. When I worked I still built just not much time for it...no disabled its more important than ever..my sanity.
Harry P. Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 Very interesting question, and one that I would guess most people really don't have the answer to. Sure, they can say they build models because they like "working with their hands," or because "my dad did it, so I do it too," or "I just like cars" or whatever reason you can come up with.... but I have a feeling there is a psychological reason behind it. I once read that people who collect things (stamps, coins, dolls, matchbooks, beer steins, whatever) do so because they subconsciously crave the "control" they have over their collections. They are the ultimate lord over their collections, they control their collections, etc. Collecting is all about a psychological need for order and control in their lives. I'm no psychologist, but my common sense tells me that we model car builders (most of us, not necessarily all of us) probably also share a common psychological driving force behind our involvement in the hobby. And I'd be willing to bet that it's about control and order. That's not necessarily a bad thing... I'm not saying that we are wackos... but I do believe that there is a psychological "something" that brought us to building models.
Chris White Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 Reminds me of when I was a kid, opening the kit for the kit for the first time deciding what and how you are going to build it, what colour....makes me feel young, reminds me of times that where less, stressfull, that proverbial happy place so to speak.
Greg Cullinan Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 Because I am married with children. It's my "me time".
Harry P. Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 On 1/23/2014 at 1:14 AM, martinfan5 said: Because I want to, its as simple as that Obviously. But the question is why do you want to?
Harry P. Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 On 1/23/2014 at 1:20 AM, High octane said: You shoulda been a doctor Harry. I know!
martinfan5 Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 On 1/23/2014 at 1:19 AM, Harry P. said: Obviously. But the question is why do you want to? Because I want to , that is why Ok, fine, you want a serious answer, well, then here it is, I like Automobiles like every one else does, I will never in my life time be able to ever afford the real cars, so I will build them, building models relaxes' me, and keeps my hands buys and gives me something to do while watching TV.
Erik Smith Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 Well, really, I don't know. I would imagine there is some sort of psychological reason, like Harry says, but it could be chemical too. Most of the time people do things because, in some way, it makes them feel good. I feel good when I am planning a model and even better when I finish one. There are probably some chemical reactions taking place in my brain giving me some sort of reward that I want to replicate, so I continue building models.
Jordan 191 Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 My motivations are a mixture of nearly all of the reasons listed already, but I'll add something more: I enjoy building during the actual building process, but I also get tremendous enjoyment from thinking through future builds. If I have trouble sleeping, I'll mentally take a kit off of my shelf and build it step by step in my mind. If I'm stuck on a spot in a real build or daunted by a new technique I need to learn, I'll be thinking it through when I'm at work or on a long drive, etc. It's almost like meditating.
Skydime Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 I build models and 1:1s because there are certain aspects of doing such that I am good at. And being good at those skills makes me feel just a little better about being me. It's the only time I have that someone else isn't down my throat wanting something done right that second. The pressures of working with the public 80 hours a week really build the stress.
Agent G Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 To paraphrase an answer to Harry's question, yes, it was a question: "I create, therefore I am." G
Danno Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 (edited) Escapism. A little reprieve from the real world and some of the creatures that inhabit it. Edited January 23, 2014 by Danno
Harry P. Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 On 1/23/2014 at 4:07 PM, Danno said: Escapism. Houdini was really into that, too...
Danno Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 I've never been known as 'Houdini,' but I've been known as 'Whodunit?'
Zarana-X Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 It quiets the voices. I'm not happy unless I'm building, drawing, working on something, or playing a game. I need to keep busy. I fall asleep watching tv 50% of the time, cause I'm not actively doing somethign.
Agent G Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 On 1/23/2014 at 4:20 PM, Danno said: I've never been known as 'Houdini,' but I've been known as 'Whodunit?' Is that similar to "dudedidit" ? G
Danno Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 On 1/23/2014 at 5:49 PM, Agent G said: Is that similar to "dudedidit" ? G That's a frequent answer I get when I'm trying to figger out whodunit! But the most frequent answer I get from interlopers and ne'erdowells is 'Idunno.'
Agent G Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 On 1/23/2014 at 6:26 PM, Danno said: That's a frequent answer I get when I'm trying to figger out whodunit! But the most frequent answer I get from interlopers and ne'erdowells is 'Idunno.' If I ever locate the miscreant named Somebody, I'm booking him for everything I can. G
Tom Geiger Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 On 1/23/2014 at 12:34 AM, Harry P. said: but I have a feeling there is a psychological reason behind it. I once read that people who collect things (stamps, coins, dolls, matchbooks, beer steins, whatever) do so because they subconsciously crave the "control" they have over their collections. They are the ultimate lord over their collections, they control their collections, etc. Collecting is all about a psychological need for order and control in their lives. I'm no psychologist, but my common sense tells me that we model car builders (most of us, not necessarily all of us) probably also share a common psychological driving force behind our involvement in the hobby. And I'd be willing to bet that it's about control and order. That's not necessarily a bad thing... I'm not saying that we are wackos... but I do believe that there is a psychological "something" that brought us to building models. I will agree. I grew up as a US Army dependent and moved frequently as a kid. Thus I had no real home, no lifelong friends and had to adapt to new situations frequently. As a result I've always been a collector, of Matchbox cars, coins, stamps and eventually automobilia and model cars. I always treasured my things and kept them in perfect condition, first because I lived in places where they couldn't be replaced and because I believe my things were my stability, the familiar things that were always there, and the things I could control. I still have a great deal of things from my childhood, from the Santa doll my grandfather gave me for my first Christmas, to the first record album I bought at age 13. I even have the Weekly Reader from the first moon landing. Things I've always had and always will. I like to collect, the hunt and putting things in order. My model building is my art. I love to be able to create that crazy image in my head on the work bench in front of me. I get excited as it slowly appears, and looks like that idea from my imagination. I don't compromise, if my vision is a certain red, I'll spray a dozen spoons until I get the right shade. And I'll work with details and weathering until it's perfect in my eye. I can't tell you how many times I moved the interior junk around in my camper until I thought it was just right. I once showed some models to a work friend of mine who was a painting artist. He got very excited and told me my work was indeed 'Art', he defined it as a multi-media sculpture since I assembled them from plastic, wood and bits of metals. It's not just the assembly of a kit once we start bashing and scratch building. And as my Art, it satisfies a certain need in my soul to create. I can have a bad day, have a head ache.. but once I spend an hour at my bench, I am refreshed and ready to face the world once again. And as the collector in me, I treasure my finished works. I proudly display them in my case and can get lost in just looking at them one at a time. Sometimes as a group in the case, and sometimes I pull one out to enjoy closely. It would be very foreign to me to give away, sell or otherwise part with my work.
gluebomb Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 (edited) I used to build when I was younger, then I stopped at age 18. I found hanging out with friends more fun. In January 2009, I got clean from a bad drug habit, found that I needed something to do to occupy my time and have not stopped since. I find now that it is more relaxing and an escape from everyday suckyness. Also, I am a huge gearhead!!!!!!!!! Edited January 23, 2014 by gluebomb
Baugher Garage Posted January 23, 2014 Posted January 23, 2014 You made a good choice, Gary! Congrats on your victory!
Recommended Posts
Create an account or sign in to comment
You need to be a member in order to leave a comment
Create an account
Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!
Register a new accountSign in
Already have an account? Sign in here.
Sign In Now