[AJD] "classics"

[toddd]

Dean,

As Bill alluded to, you might be surprised at the things people collect 
these days that are considered "classics".  There are "classic" video 
game systems... "classic" boom boxes... "classic" computers... "classic" 
calculators... all sorts of "modern" electronics.  Here are a couple of 
examples I found with a quick Google-ing:

http://www.maniacworld.com/game_console_history/
http://www.pocketcalculatorshow.com/boombox/golden1.html

I think it's only our own self-centered, subjective human nature to 
think that the generation we grew up in was the best and all others pale 
in comparison.  Clearly, this attitude also extends to our "toys" since 
they are so often  physical representations of the era in which we grew 
up.  Just remember, that 15 year old kid will develop those same biases 
about /his/ generation and /his/ world.  He has no idea about yours and 
probably couldn't care less. 

Personally, I won't be a bit surprised if people collect todays tractors 
30 years from now.  I think it's almost an unavoidable fact... grown men 
collect their childhoods.  As long as machines are making an impression 
on young boys, grown men will probably collect them... no matter if 
they're two cylinder, New Generation or the tractors of today and 
beyond... electronics, plastic and all.  We should bear in mind that 
kids today grow up with electronics on nearly everything in their 
worlds.  It's not foreign to them like it may be to us.  I would imagine 
in 30 years todays electronics will look rather antiquated to people in 
the know.  I don't see that being an insurmountable obstacle to the 
collector of the future.   If so, there will also be no collector cars 
from the 1980's and after.  I don't see that happening.

I guess what I'm saying is that it's short-sighted for anyone to think 
that all things good ended with their own generation.  And it's arrogant 
to expect younger folks to look back on your machines and toys with the 
same fondness that you have for them.  I'm sure a few will, but most 
won't.   It'll be interesting to see the hobby in 30 years from now.  
Will two cylinders be anything more than an anachronistic side note by 
then?  A curious foot note?  Who knows. 

And those modern "plastic" tractors we deride today are making big 
impressions on little boys all across America as we speak.  You know 
where that can lead.

Todd  (who likes 'em all)

>> > Bill wrote:
>> >
>>     
>>> >> The only way, it was discovered, to allow the club
>>> >> to grow was to accept the fact that the newer and
>>> >> younger members identify with and enjoy the newer
>>> >> engines and that someday they will be older too and
>>> >> some more advanced types will take their place.
>>>       
>> >
>> > Hi, Bill.  Your comments were well put--thanks for the discussion.
>> >
>> > One thing I wonder about, is what the folks 30 years in the future will
>> > think of as classics.  With any kind of technology it seems like there can
>> > really only be one "antique" period.  A 4020 will never be an antique.
>> > Maybe there can be multiple classic periods, though.
>> >
>> > To me the -10 and -20 series New Generation tractors will always be the 
>> > true
>> > "classic" Deeres, but I can see how some of the later models could be 
>> > viewed
>> > the same way if you'd grown up around them.  But I can't imagine tractors
>> > from the 90s or 2000s ever being seen as classics; to me they're just 
>> > modern
>> > tractors and will always be modern tractors.  If you're 10 or 15 years old
>> > today, will an 8430 be a classic 30 years from now?
>> >
>> > Dean Vinson
>> > Dayton, Ohio
>> > www.vinsonfarm.net