I found an article (?), anecdote (?), editorial (?), essay (?) on The Huffington Post the other day. It is about, in summary, a kid and his collection. I definitely understand, having several collections of stuff myself (bottlecaps, stamps, pint glasses, music). The subject of the article (?) open letter (?) memoir (?) essay (?) was this boy's super awesome obsession with gnomes (probably the best obsession to have, obviously).
But it could have been about any collectable thing, because the point wasn't about how cool gnome collecting is, and how widespread it can be, but rather that seemingly innocuous interests can bring otherwise alienated people together.
I suppose there is a downside to this phenomenon: the fact that people only seem to gravitate to groups that share the same interests, another form of tribalism that continues to hinder the development of a free, diverse, peaceful global society. But, I prefer to be an optimist and see this from the author's perspective, that old-school hobbies, however strange they are, can open up new relationships and start conversations that may never have happened otherwise.
So... here's to the gnome home builders, and the train enthusiasts, and the stamp collectors, the card players, the knitters, sneakerheads, and craft beer hipsters and anyone else that I left out. Because these people have opportunities to connect with a diverse group of others in real time, and I find that to be important.
edit: Unfortunately this article is no longer on the Huffington Post website. I had linked to it previously.
