There's no harm in it, but there's no sense to it either!
My friend sits all day in his room with two television sets on. He's taping TV shows and movies on VHS. He doesn't ever watch what he's taping, he only pays attention long enough to decide if it's worth saving.
He uses timers on the tv sets if he's not home, or sleeping. He has probably fifty large storage tubs filled with these VHS tapes he's collected over the last two years.
He knows he'll never watch them, and doesn't think anyone else will either. He's so frustrated with this hobby, but he keeps recording.
I tell him not to worry about it. Maybe his brain needs that stimulation. He has notebooks hand-written full of movies he's taped.
Okay, that's the truth. I never told anyone else. I'm not trying to "cure" him, I'm just wondering what mylotters think?
I know it's another long drawn out weird question, but humour me, okay? Are there any mylotters out there with a similar habit?
[question posted by anawar]
responses and comments:
it sounds to me like he is obsessive /compulsive. There is medication for that. Get him some help. He is wasting a lot of his tme. [getnbuy]
I meant to say it sounds like hoarding to me and I have a very close friend who does this too except with food but its like its as normal as ever to her and she just lives like that unfortunately with her children. She used to be very compulsive about writing things down (a habit I seemed to pick up) in notebook after notebook but they were just random notes or numbers that had no order. This has only gotten worse and I am so thankful this has never went exposed as she would certainly lost her kids, I have cleaned her house top to bottom several times and it never works. She comes from a conservative background and her husband is a former pastor and would not even allow medication for her which is a same because I admire her so much because I see her gifts and she doesnt even know it. [revellanotvanella]
Really...hehehe. That's very oddwhistle. Your friend is ok? Just asking no offense meant. What's the use of all the recordings if he doesn't even watch a single one of it. Waste of time and electric bill and not to mention the money he used on purchasing the equipments.rasp[/rasprasp [reckon21]
It could be creating a sense of order and security for him since its so regular in his life this hobby, you know. [revellanotvanella]
I think it would be ok if someone else was watching the videos or if at least he was, but sense that's not the case, it does seem kind of strange. There doesn't seem to be any reason for him to do this, and like you said, he's frustrated with this hobby, so he probably should just quit now and be happy with what he's already recorded. :) [powerbrokenape]
That makes perfect sense to me and you, but not to him. He doesn't know I'm asking anyone what they think. It fascinates me. Even though he gets frustrated, I know I get frustrated on mylot sometimes, like when I make a bunch of typo's, but that doesn't mean I don't like it. Oh well. thanks for the sensible input. [anawar]
Well I think it is a little odd at the most. Like you said there is no harm in it. I do think that he is probably wasting a lot of time. There is absolutely no reason why he is doing it? If he feels like he needs help maybe you should suggest that he can go to a counselor. I am not saying he needs it I am just saying there is no harm in going and seeing if he gets any use out of it. It does sound a little like OCD. Again I am not saying he has it. When I went to a counselor, something that I told her made her think there was a slight chance I had it. We talked about it and she asked me some questions about it and we figured out that I don't have it. When we were talking about it though, she said that there are different levels. Not everyone that has it has it that extreme. Just a thought. Is he worried about something, like perhaps his cable be turned off and he is recording shows and movies so he will have something to watch if that happens? I hope this helped a little. [o2bnocn]
no problem happy [o2bnocn]
good day.. did you ask him why he's doing it? Maybe it's not the movies he's recording what he's really after but the act of recording that's what giving him the high. Ask him and then maybe we could help when we know what's the reason behind his recording. [blackmantra_x]
mommyboo - Thank you. Your comments are astute and I agree with you. I came to the same conclusion, but I kept wondering what he would do with all of them? Maybe he has a secret plan, but I like your idea. [anawar]
Actually hun this sounds like a form of OCD to me. (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) I mean he knows it doesn't make sense to do it but he can't make himself stop. It's a physical need. That is a symptom of OCD and if unchecked this disorder may get worse as he gets older. Might suggest that he speaks to someone about it. [sisterjinx]
Hi sister. I know it's likely to be OCD and so does he. But there are degrees to this disorder and since it doesn't affect anyone in a negative manner, I'm not worried. He sees a therapist on a regular basis, so it's not a problem. Thanks for your compassion. I know this friend very well, so maybe his habit doesn't seem as weird to me compared to what people who don't know him think. Now, I'm asking, since he's aware he has a strange habit, but wants to continue, can anyone think of something to do with all the tapes he is making? Some of the movies he records are unusual or old and maybe somehow, somewhere, someone will have a need or use for all those recordings. Maybe that's the better question, now that mylotters have helped me think this through. Thanks! [anawar]
OCD maybe? I've seen many characteristics of this because I went to a certain type of high schools. If he's getting frustrated and doesn't understand why he's doing this, then this definitely sounds like an OCD. I've never experienced this myself, but I have definitely seen it. [Xdrowninghavocx]
Yes, most everyone has suggested OCD, and yes, more than likely, this is a harmless form of that disorder. It's interesting you mention going to school. He's retired now, but he went through some intensive college courses. The skills he learned there, organization, methodical evaluation and more, required discipline and deep analytical thinking. Maybe the skills got so reinforced, the need to use them never left his mind. Does that make sense? Because by talking to you, I came up with that idea. Your thoughts touched off new ones for me. That's what I was hoping for. thanks. [anawar]
Fifty tubs of VHS Cassettes in his place that he's recorded,and he hasn't watched ANY of them? WHERE does he sleep?! is there room for him to get into the room? It doesn't sound like much of a hobby from here,more like OCD..does He go out socialising with You or other friends at all? Does He have many visitors in his place? Hasn't he heard of DVD? TIVO? Okay,I'm here at the computer a few hours each day,I don't watch much TV,but I go out,and at least I'm interacting with others,friends and Family,etc..Does He have a Computer? Doesn't sound like he has an internet habit! [ShepherdSpy]
No, he never had time for TV when he was working. He drove tractor trailer, but not over the road. I think he has to want to stop if he's going to stop. It is an interesting thought process though. I lost track of where I mentioned his college years. [anawar]
He is very much 'Obsessive-Compulsive' meaning he has a chemical disorder in his brain. He seriously needs some help from a psychiatrist...I know, I have it also, & do some pretty outrageous things!!Lori [dumblnddzzy]
mommyboo - more comments for you I like my quirks too. Conformists can be so conforming and expect everyone else to do the same! [anawar]
I don't do that, but you should advise him to start using cd rom media as soon there won't be any VCRs to watch the stuff on. I assume he's taping them for someone's future use..does he think there will be a global disaster soon, or a total breakdown of society? Sometimes those people do things like that. [dragon54u]
Oh, the wise dragon speaks again. I told him about VCRs being obsolete. I think if he had more tech savvy, or he started recording with DVD, he would be using DVD now. He asks me about it recording with digital, but he figures since he started with VHS, he'll keep on going with it. He does feel a slight responsibility to record movies people may never get to see. Maybe he thinks there will be a need for them, but he doesn't want to talk about it because he feels strange. Could be, could be. Thanks for not mentioning OCD. I'm getting tired of telling everyone "I know, I know." lol [anawar]
Hi anawar fortunatley I don't know of anyone like that...you are right though his brain needs some other sort of stimulation your littleowl [littleowl]
Hi anawar I have been having a few probs if I haven't got round to answering your discussions but will do soon-your friend littleowl [littleowl]
back before dvd`s.. id tape movies offa the premium cable channels. they were movies i liked and wanted to keep and watch again and really didnt wanna pay the 24 bucks to buy it. at one point in time i had a video library of well over 600 movies, so in order to find the movie i wanted without pouring through them all every time.. i cateloged them all in a notebook, and numbered each tape to coincide with same number in said book so id know which tape had which movies on them (you could put 3 sometimes 4 movies per tape). when id wanna watch a movie.. id open the book, find the one i wanted, and then go the shelves and find that numbered tape. collecting movies isnt really all that odd.. lots of people do it. [tessah]
I actually used to do a bit of this myself when I was younger - when everybody had VHS. I also jumped on the laserdisc bandwagon for awhile, my ex owned two laserdisc players. After that of course came dvd and dvd-r, and now I have a ps3 that does blu-ray. I also have dvr/tivo and the last combo dvd/vhs player we had went belly up about a year ago, so I don't record anything on VHS. I think I could put saved recordings from the hard drive onto dvd but I haven't tried it yet. I still have a small library of VHS tapes (they are cataloged in a notebook! lol) and I will probably eventually buy another VHS player on which to watch them. My daughter is 4 and I don't think she's ever been introduced to a VHS tape. She found a cassette once and she asked me what it was lol. I won't even get into vinyl records, I have some of those from an old collection but of course we do not have a turn table to play them on. [mommyboo]
Just reading your friends scenario makes it sound like he has some kind of case of obsessive compulsive disorder. It seems like he has a problem where he feels like hes going to miss something on TV and needs to tape it just incase something important happens. The fact he is frusterated with his hobby but still continues it seems like he feels kind of perpetually trapped to continue recording. Then again he might make it big one day selling antique VHS tapes of old television shows haha. [boerema]
I like your last comment the best and I'll try to find a way to work it into a conversation with my friend. I know you indicated it as funny, but I think it's a likely idea. Not the big money part. Besides, except for a few mylotters, everyone says OCD. It's in almost every post! [anawar]
Well,I find its a very strange hobby. I think theres no point in this hobby, at all. [blkmage1214]
You said he is retired and a very smart person, I think he records all those movies and stuff because he thinks it's his "job". It's something he can do to keep busy. I don't think it's wrong or odd, when he wants to stop maybe he could do some volunteering somewhere. My step dad used to tape movies an stuff he had two vcr's and two tv's in his room and he would tape all kinds of stuff for other people and himself. He's passed away now and every once in awhile I will run into a VHS that he has taped for me and I think of him, I treasure every one of them because he taped them thinking of me. Good luck to your friend and you, Amberina. [Amberina]
Amberina - You got it! I agree with you and I thank you for telling me his hobby is not wrong or odd. You helped me and my friend. Your step dad left a legacy for you. How loving and thoughtful. [anawar]
I am not sure what to tell you. As you say he doesn't need help for it, maybe I could suggest it's just a habit he can't seem to break? Like a Nicotine or alcohol addiction? I know that you said he does not think they will sell, but has he ever thought of trying? He could very well get a few bucks out of it on ebay if he so wished to do so. I don't think I have a habit like that, and I really can't think of any habits that would be similar that i've seen. I hope this doesn't become serious though! [SomeCowgirl]
SomeCowgirl - Good idea about ebay! I'll tell him about your idea. As always, thanks for being my friend. [anawar]
I like the comment above that recording the movies is his "job" now. Maybe if he had some other purpose, he wouldn't record so much. You did say when he's away he doesn't record so it seems that he can NOT do it and be okay. Everyone says OCD and I don't know enough about it that OCD could affect a person this selectively. I thought OCD was with you all the time. You are probably being the biggest help by being his friend. We'd like to give advice and change someone and maybe you can get him to change, who knows. [whittby]
Hi whittby. The idea that recorording is his "job" now" makes sense. He wants to continue taping, so whenever he asks me about it, I tell him that part of his brain requires the acute attention and concentration needed. You're right about the OCD as well. Sometimes he is gone for 6 months at a time and never gives a thought to taping. With comments like yours and others, his hobby is making more sense to me. Thanks for helping. [anawar]
Actually I have two friends who do this and they both have had to build shelves to store their tapes. For the life of my I don't understand what they get out of this but it's just some sort of hobby they have. It's OK by me, just so I don't have to go to their house and dust. lol [Nana530]
Nana-hi. Your comments add to the collective of the mylotters who don't find his habit weird. Some part of me was worried and now I'm more relaxed. Thanks for your support! You really helped me. [anawar]
Well, you never know. Stuff like this sells for millions after sometime. It's obsessive and completely ridiculous that he does that even though he doesn't like it, but its something that can help him in the long run. bournehappy [bournecaindelta]
Oh, you know the usual. Concentrate on your studies. What does movie watching get you and all. They rarely watch movies with me, but I cannot really blame them. The regional movies which are aired here, are always focussed on sex and stuff like that which can be distracting. bournehappy [bournecaindelta]
Maybe he could make a profit out of it. He could rent those movies that he recorded. He could build a theater house in his neighborhood or something, that might just be profitable. [muxicka]
muxicka - hi. Thanks for adding your support, thinking of a positive result that stems from his hobby. travel lightly [anawar]
Maybe he has got too much free time on his hand and he doesn't know what to do with all the free time he has.. And so maybe that's the only way for him to pass time much more faster, as time flies when we are doing something.. As for me, taping even when he's out, it has become a habit for him and he cant stop now.. If u really wanna know, try to stop his recording when he's out 1 day, and see his reaction to it.. [kun2349]
It does take up his free time. After he retired from his job he found something to replace the mental stimulation he needs. Good thinking. anawar out. [anawar]
It is indeed a strange "hobby" and not even one that could potentially be profitable for him in the future as one would imagine if he wanted to sell these films or shows at a later date people would be more likely to buy them in DVD format. Well that's one theory out of the window... It does sound like he has an OCD - obsesseive compulsive disorder (you can read more about these here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Obsessive-compulsive_disorder ) His "hobby" does not seem to be hurting anyone, is he depriving his family of food or clothing by his habit? If not, I would say maybe suggest gently to him that it might be more practical to record stuff onto blank DVDs - see if that suggestion freaks him out or not, if you can gradually get him to stop using space consuming VHS storage media, you can see if his compulsion is specifically do to do VHS... [anonymili]
His hobby is harmless. I understand what OCD is. I know it's a mild form, nothing that affects his life, as you suggested. I like your suggestion that he might switch from VHS to DVD. I know he's thought about it before. The task would be overwhelming, but it would add a branching out from the initial hobby. I'm keeping track of everyone's ideas that he might sell them. That's a wonderful idea to explore when the time comes. Sooner or later, somthing will replace his hobby. [anawar]
I never have heard of anyone doing this. It is a strange hobby espeically since he says that he will never watch the movies he has taped. That one I wouldn't have a clue about. I don't have a habit similar to that and I don't watch televison a lot.happy [sunshinelady]
Does he have a reason for doing this? I'm thinking it could simply be OCD, Obsessive/Compulsive Disorder. I have a weird habit of collecting unusual brass objects, usually from second-hand stores, flea markets or yard sales. BUT, I do have a reason. I clean them up and am putting them on my new online store for resale. Hey, it's not all crazy! I found a brass "candle wick cutter" which was no longer manufactured after 1837. I bought it for 25 cents and it's worth over $400.00!!! I also found an antique brass Egyptian vase. So, my weirdness has a plus side; at least THIS weirdness does. LOL [mentalward]
I don't know if movies or TV show are copywrited. Good point. Thanks. [anawar]
Many people have hobbies or interests that will seem strange to others,that is a fact of life,but you say he seems quite happy doing this,so I would just let him carry on in peace and enjoy what he is doing.It seems to be an isolated interest but as long as he is not closing off the outside world altogehter then that I am sure is fine. [ella1bella]
ella1bella - More and more people are telling me that his hobby is not so weird. I love the way mylotters help me resolve thoughts. I appreciate your adding your comments and contributing to helping me. After reading these posts, I feel much better when I think about my friend's hobby. travel lightly. [anawar]
LOL That is quite an addiction he has,I hardly even have time to watch TV at all.I think your friend needs a new hobby and some sort of life if thats all that he can find to do. [neelygal]
Wow anawar! That's deep. It is something about this fetish of his that keeps him doing it. How are other areas in his life? Are they chaotic? There is a reason why he needs all of this stimulation. Maybe it's his way of getting away from the daily stresses of life. He'll be ok. Keep God in your life always! [Linda4ualways]
Linda4ualways hi. No, it's nothing like that at all. I think the issue is resolved in the other posts, but as always, I appeciate your input in all my discussions! [anawar]
Some sort of OCD? This doesn't seem to be mild either, it seems to have taken over his life lol. You say he's frustrated with his behavior, probably because he cannot control/end it. Does he want to control or end this? Maybe a way to suggest he get some help is come up with a list of things he would prefer to be doing instead of sitting there recording multiple things he will never watch. This is a time-intensive thing to do, and hundreds of VHS tapes not to mention the storage tubs could be getting expensive as well. As well as I can gather, I would only consider myself mildly OCD about a couple of things, and they are neither expensive nor very time consuming, in fact part of the obsessive-compulsion for me is that I hate doing these things so they must be done asap in the shortest amount of time possible so I don't have to think about them when I return home.... dishes, getting kitchen cleaned up, and laundry. Some people spend a LOT of time doing those things and they do them slowly, or throughout the day, or even ALL WEEK, never completing it all. I prefer to go tackle those things and try to get them done in a couple minutes. [mommyboo]
I know you posted other commments, that's why I was surprised to see you mention this. It's all fine. I always appreciate your participation [anawar]
Sounds to me like your friend just needs something to keep his mind stimulated. If he was a truck driver, he was constantly driving and having to pay constant attention to the road and other drivers. When he retired he lost all of that stimulation or constant brain activity of driving. I have become disabled and am always at home, so I have to find ways of keeping my mind busy. I don't copying everything on VHS like your friend, but I do love to copy movies, and I also love to visit online free educational sites. I have tons of notebooks full of educational information. I think I do it just to try and keep my mind sharp. I am afraid it will turn to mush if not stimulated...lol. [sharkbiter]
sharkbiter - Exactly! It does keep his mind sharp and he uses the parts of his brain that need the stimulation when he records. [anawar]
Why not help him develop some outdoor hobbies, such as fishing. Siting in front of the TV for a long time does hurt his eyes somewhat. And he realy need do something interesting to fill his time. My father often goes fishing after retiring from his work, and he keep a good health and high spirit. [lixiaos77]
He walks in the woods for at least one hour every day. Nature refreshes everyone and that's a good idea for everyone to hear when they read your comment. I'm sorry if I gave the impression that my friend never leaves his room. [anawar]
This definatly sounds like OCD to me, and you are right, he's not harming anyone or anything, it's just something he has to do because of it. VHS is not that popular and getting harder to find, maybe he could spend some time selling the movies online, that would keep him busy and help him get organized by getting rid of the clutter. [heatherfeather80]
heatherfeather hi. Oh, trust me, there isn't any clutter. Everything is organized and catagorized. He keeps hand written notes. It is a better idea to record on DVD, but he's so used to VHS, he won't switch over. Thank you for reading the other posts and not making a big deal about OCD. One other person asked if the shows and movies he tapes are copywritten and can't be resold online? Do you know the answer? I don't. I'm looking for someone to help me. [anawar]
anawar he is obessive compulsive and sooner or later without some medical help and medication he is going to go off on a tangent that could get him in serious trouble . right now what he is doing is just silly and time wasting not really hurting anyone but not making any sense at all. but when he gets worse, he will get angry and lash out at people.these people will not realize he has a mental illness and he could get hit and really hurt. so do suggest he see his doctor' and be checked for obessive,complusive, or bipolar disease as he will need help eventually. [Hatley]
Hatley - I think you got side-tracked on that one. [anawar]
i used to record tapes, but i would sell them, your friend should try and do that....if any one still has a vhs anymore lol [brunogar]
When he's no longer having fun but he has to keep doing it then I agree this could be a case of OCD (obsessive compulsive dissorder). He has to do it for whatever reason; some people think something bad will happen, others just don't feel right if they have to skip it. Try and force them into not doing it and they will go berzerk and/or stressed out. There are cures and therapies out there to cure it if this is the case, otherwise I wouldn't worry to much about it. We all have our hobbies; it just sounds like he can't put a stop to it anymore and that's what worries me. [cyberfluf]
Yes, everyone mentioned OCD. He's okay. He feels weird about it, but he doesn't drive himself crazy. He accepts this as something he does and that's the end of it I guess. There's no harm in it, it doesn't matter if he stops or not. Someday he'll get tired of it and something new will come into his life. [anawar]
That does not seem that strange, a lot of people have strange habbits. Sounds like he is also OCD. He should get himself checked out. [rogue13xmen13]
i never heard anyone like that. dont you try asking professionals.? hahaha im not saying that your friend is insane. just for safe keeping. anyways, theres a lot of weird people around us. [zeny_zion]
zeny - I'm one of those weird people too. We make the world more interesting. [anawar]
I would say Obsessive Compulsive disorder which right now signifies nothing really no real harm but could become a much bigger problem which there could be some underlying problem he may be doing this as a way of not dealing with it and not even realizing it which is not wrong but sad for them. [MISTRESSMARY420]
Almost everyone who replied saying it's OCD, but I don't think it's that serious. There's not much from what you mentioned to say that it's OCD anyway, but then again, I'm no psychologist either. Does your friend becomes erratic if he didn't record something, a withdrawal symptom of some sort? Does he ever go on long vacations? It may be another form of abnormal human behaviour, other than OCD. Ever heard of a guy who buys stuff from info-mercials even though he doesn't need them? I think some, if not all of us have a certain quirks that we don't really know why we do it. Like you said, his brain might need some stimulation. Maybe he feels some kind of accomplishment from doing it. Personally, I think it may be Just like other strange collecting hobbies. People shouldn't judge him. It may just be something in his personality or in his brain that finds collecting those tapes fulfilling. There are other people who collects things that other people find strange too. It's OK, especially if there's no harm done. [Cley_CJ]
Thank you, thank you, thank you. gosh, he's a great guy. I had no idea people would react so strongly. I feel bad even starting this conversation. Thanks again and you're right. People who judge others don't harm the person they are judging. They only define themselves as a person who judges. Opinions are one thing, judging is another. [anawar]
I love movies and if I see a film I want to see again, I will either tape it or get it on DVD. I have 100's of great films and shows that I have taped through the years but Everything I taped I have either seen before or heard it was good and I taped it to see later.I have an index of tapes and a directory of movie titles. But unlike your friend, I watch what I taped. Whenever a movie airs that will go well with something I have on tape, I find the tape and see a good double feature.But taping a show or movie that you will Never see , I don't understand why. [sarahruthbeth22]
I don't mean to be rude but...like you said, let your friend have his hobby but tell him that he doesn't need 2 television sets, he can tape off of the VCR and DVD machine at the same time as long as he has them connected correctly...I do. Saves a lot of electricity. [sagesunicorn]
My hobbies are Philately, numismatics, listening to music, painting, playing games, reading books, writing poetry and its is a big list actually. I have been not just having them as hobby have done something with each of them also. I was the bronze medalist of my town's philatelic and numismatic exhibition… All my friends have said that I have a wonderful voice and they always compel me to sing their favorite songs. Was Second prize winner in inter school painting competition and also won runner up in inter school chess champion ship and won the badminton title when was there in high school. Have been the poetry competition runner when I was in college and there are a lot of things and prizes I have got with these hobbies...The technology based hobbies of mine is blogging and I blog as it is my hobby doesn't do it as a part of any reward. Now a days I don't find time for my hobbies but I myself make some time and do it on my own. The most exciting thing was I collected nearly 10 thousand stamps in just a span of one year….. Happy posting mylotians … By maathavan … [maathavan]
I'm so sorry for coming in so late. But I think your friend might be having some type of obsessive or compulsive kind of disorder. A psychiatrist could be of help or certain kind of meditation also be of help. [suruchi86]