Microblog Memes

Too real...I tried getting into paintballing in HS, bought someone's entry level gun but never got a chance to play. About 10 years later, after graduating college and getting a job, a buddy of mine wanted to start playing again so I dug out my old gun, tank and helmet. We played like 3 times 1on1 or 1v2 and each time I started researching better gear. After the 3rd time I finally got a new Azodin Blitz, new electric hopper, upgraded helmet I camo painted, and a new gear box.

We played 1 times after that when he started dating a new girl and he just kinda fell off the face of the earth.

If they're playing league or fortnite they're probably already getting called plenty of names.

Yes, other games I've seen 'twink' used to mean exactly this as well.

That would be hiding your skill to compete, as a pro/intermediate/etc, among beginners.

In reality, buy whatever you can afford, don't give a shit what others thing. Enjoy your life.

For hardware tools, buy cheap. If you use it enough to require a replacement, replace with expensive (i.e. quality).

It depends.

It's the reason I stopped making so much fun of people that recreate the "MAMIL" trope - "Middle Aged Men In Lycra". Meaning men who start their midlife crisis buying an expensive bicycle with neon-colored bicycle clothes and bicycle glasses and all the other stuff.

Why don't they just start riding their bicycle they already got? They can use their sunglasses and normal sport shorts. What's the problem?

But I some cases or age-ranges people want to make a change and get out of their usual habits. A real phase shift. People think they want to work out more regularly. Or really start a new hobby. Buying a bunch of expensive stuff can increase the need to go through with this phase shift - at least in the minds of the people buying it.

As an adult picking up a new hobby often means that other things in their life have to make room. It's usually not that adults in their (let's say) mid 30s until early 50s have problems filling their day. So whatever new hobby or task they want to do has to push away other habits and stay there until these new habits can take root.

So starting with some expensive shit can be something I can understand - if one has the money.

If I would start making music again, I'd probably start by buying an expensive synth like the super-6 from UDO (that I always wanted to buy) instead of a bunch of bleep-bloop-machines that need a lot of initial time for understanding them and then only fulfill one specific function in my music.

If you can afford it, absolutely.

There's also an argument to be made for good equipment making a hobby more accessible. Musical instruments especially. It's almost always much harder to make a cheap musical instrument sound nice than it is a good one. From clarinets to guitars to synths. I wouldn't be surprised if half the people who quit an instrument do so because they're trying to learn on a $100 Walmart special, something that ironically would only sound good in the hands of a professional who wouldn't touch it in the first place.

You will also often have a better and more enjoyable experience with quality gear. Don't start playing the guitar on a 120€ Squier if you can afford even a 300€ Harley Benton.