The Psychology of Niche Interests - Brian's Two Cents

[@Dragon_Drawer42]

As an art teacher of elementary students, I see this all the time. Think about when a child creates anything and shows it to an adult and the adult just blows it up and puts it down. As an extension of themself the child thinks what the adult says is about the child. Words matter. Thanks for the video Brian, I need to go write an article now. Cheers and Have a great Thanksgiving

[@CinkSVideo]

Well…I’m autistic and fountain pens are a special interest of mine. I love the experience of writing with them, refilling the ink, trying new colors. Joy.

[@gihanzohdy3284]

Talking about the emotional effect of owning and using fountain pens, I agree with all of the above FP owners. Chosing each model and then the ink, usage and then personal housing and reuse, all add up to allowing a profoundly personal sense of ownership that goes far beyond possession. These objects acquire a life of their own and add beauty and style to the owner. I'm in love with mine.

[@bikkies]

I'm also autistic and the FP world is both liberating & frustrating to me. It really triggers my hoarding behaviours; anything that is part of a set or a series becomes something I need to acquire, otherwise there is a disjointed gap in my mind. Look at how many inks there are, how many Safaris, how many Ecos. All are sets of something. Worse still, I invariably get more than one of that thing, telling myself that I'll keep one for the collection and one to use... then I buy a third. However and it's a big however, the routine aspects of the hobby are a major stim for me. I recently had a marathon pen cleaning session where I finally cleaned out 55 count'em fifty five fountain pens that I had left inked-up for upwards of 9 months. I was exhausted after, but also the repetitive nature of the chore was surprisingly calming.

[@hjell]

This is why I like Brian. He gets it, he gets this life. You have found the fun in living to the fullest in your carbon footprint. Cargo pants are just cool because they hold so much. Welding and running a lathe are fun because they are fun...nothing to do with you...and you get that. We are put here to have as much fun in these minutes as possible. You are awesome at it.

[@stampdealer]

Interestingly, "The Ikea Effect" existed before Ikea. in the late 1940's or early 1950s when Duncan Hines first introduced the "complete" cake mix, all you had to do was add water or milk. But it was a flop, because housewives apparently felt no "effort investment" in making the cake. No, "I made that" satisfaction. So, Duncan Hines reformulated the mix to require the addition of "one egg" or "one egg and a cup of cooking oil", and sales exploded because now people felt like "they" were baking. As for personalization, I was just thinking about this the other night when I was refilling a converter: "Why did I choose red? And why *this* shade of red as opposed to *that* shade of red? How did I come to view the whole pen+nib+ink process as an outward manifestation of "myself" (at least at that moment) when I write? Great video, Brian.

[@ScotchScoville]

This is fascinating. I love the FP community!

[@TimDocHarper]

I just love your videos, Brian. I've been watching them -- and been a customer -- for years. This one got me thinking about why I'm so into fountain pens. Part of it, of course, is that I went to a classical "Grammar" school where only fountain pens were allowed. (I've a few years on me, so this was well over 60 years ago.) We did have a choice of two colors however: Sapphire Blue or, if we absolutely must, Sea Green. Being a bit of a rebel, I always went with the green. Sister Mary Agony was not amused, but this was one of my first memories of actually having a choice that was all my own. Quite a major event for a six year old. I can still see that bottle of green Parker ink sitting in my desk's inkwell amidst that sea of blue! To this day green (especially Pelikan Edelstein "Jade") is one of my favorites -- though Iroshizuku "Murasaki-Shikibu" in my Visconti Homo Sapiens "Bronze Age" has taken the top spot. Beyond the joy one gets from simply writing with a fountain pen (I have different pens and colors of ink for all my children and grandchildren), it has allowed me to establish hand written correspondence with those children and grandchildren. We all love it. It seems so much more personal and intimate than email or texts. The customization is a large reason for my love affair with pens. Not just the types of pens, nibs and inks but also the set up. Thanks to Matt Armstrong (I miss that guy!) I now work on my own nibs to get them writing just the way I like. The whole "pride of authorship" theory advanced in the clips you showed. Finally, there is the legacy aspect. Something I think not addressed in those clips. I have passed on to my sons several passions: French cuffs, bowties and fountain pens. (I'm still working on straight razors but think that a losing battle!). To be able to share my "hobby" with family, to find pens, papers and accoutrements that they might enjoy is a wonderful connection. So that's my two -- or looking at the length of this post, three or four -- cent's worth. Great video.

[@NeonMako]

If it makes you feel a touch less ancient, I finished school in the 2010's and we were expected to use fountain pens until we were in year 8 or so! While we did all swap to gel pens after that, (nearly everyone chose Pilot G2s actually) if it wasn't for that experience I doubt I would have re-discovered fountain pens when I went to Uni. And for me, purple (Diamine Imperial Purple) is the way to go for everyday ink, but sea green is a beautiful choice!

[@tusharsharma9595]

Filling a fountain pen with ink and then carefully cleaning it is something that I personally value a lot in my fountain pen experience. It is probably the reason that I like low ink capacity pens like Lamy more than I like high ink capacity pens like Twsbi because it just provides me with more opportunities to fill up the pen again and again followed by cleaning it.

[@gihanzohdy3284]

This is how I feel about Sailor cartridge converter pens.

[@ladyredl3210]

I thought I was the only one! So relaxing!

[@LedgerAndLace]

THIS is the kind of reaction video we need, Brian! I'm reminded of what Ryder Carroll said on a recent livestream, "When we spend a lot of time doing something, we automatically assign value to it." It takes more time and effort to build a wonky table or to acquire, prepare, and use a fountain pen, and so we are more personally invested.

[@LukeMartinVideo]

That's why people who can afford anything never love anything they own as much as me repairing the wonky coffe table my grandpa built for me all those years ago... I even painted it as a kid 😭

[@warriorthu]

The Green brothers are my faaaaaaves! But yes, as a knitter, I do feel like the things I make are special, and if someone wants to pay for something I’ve made, my labor does make it worth more (in addition to the cost of the materials), which is probably why I rarely agree to make anything for people except as gifts. I don’t know if this is Ikea Effect or if my hand-knitted stuff is actually better than something I can find at Target 🤷🏻‍♀️ but I definitely feel accomplished every time I finish something!

[@JanisOnTheFarmette]

Knitters represent! If I’m not playing with fountain pens and ink while watching a Goulet video, I’m usually knitting.

[@denisewenke8323]

As with fountain pens, you probably are dealing with higher-quality materials than the Target sweater - and its 49,999 duplicate sweaters.

[@alisonanthony1228]

I completely agree. I'm a spinner as well as being a knitter and, when I make something from sheep to sweater, I feel an intense sense of pride and accomplishment. Shop bought yarn would definitely be easier to work with and be smoother and more regular in tension and twist. But when I wear my handspun, hand knitted garments, I truly believe that they're better than anything that could be bought in a shop. Well, they're definitely one off originals anyway!

[@CrowdedMinds]

Glad to see i am not the only knitter present! This is my two cent (copy/pasted from my comment elsewhere): I think the original video is a load of crap, especially depending on the hobby in question. Take knitting for example. I’ve been an avid knitter since childhood (now 51) and it’s a hobby I treasure dearly. I cannot even begin to tell you how many hours i have spent honing my knitting skills. There’s a reason people today are asking me to make commission work for them (which I decline as they wouldn’t be able to afford it even if i were to charge a min. wage of €10 an hour - and depending on needle size and pattern complexity etc it can take an average of 100 hours to finish an adult sweater, for example) as it is evident how much higher the quality is in what I can make compared to factory machine made stuff. The higher quality from my handmade creations come from: - practice - skill - high end materials - attention to details - patience The people who do not understand/appreciate the hobby or craft in question are also the ones who experience cognitive dissonance. Handmade IS superior to factory made items when the crafter in question has (over time) accumulated all necessary skills & knowledge about the raw materials & techniques needed to create the item in question. It’s people who do not know what they are doing or are just starting out & have very little practice that results in that wonky wobbly table! But if they are passionate about their hobby/craft and keep practicing, then in the end they will be able create wonderful creations. Just think about it: they are becoming self-made artisans!

[@beckyisj]

omg Goulet Pens x vlogbrothers??? The crossover I never knew I needed

[@grimmrainbow5008]

Me neither! 🥰

[@paulmchugh1430]

I think the "niche" effect starts with the choice of pen. The styling, feel and using it makes it more desirable. Got to a pen show and there are thousands of pens that you can try. Picking one is the endowment effect. I believe that even with ballpoints and rollerballs, there is a feeling of doing something that makes it yours. I am talking about the refill. Rarely do I use the refill that is provided. I have a box filled with different refills. Changing the refill makes it more personal and provides more of an identity to you. Yes, with a fountain pen does the same thing with choice of ink and nib, including the swapping of the nib. It is yours, not anyone else's. Great presentation.

[@patriciareble2930]

I am a bit of an out lier. I am primarily a journal keeper. I use fountain pens because they improve my handwriting. I am always in search of the "perfect" pen because different papers have different properties, and variations in ink colour make the pages pop so I can reference things more easily, so I have an assortment of inks and pens that I can mix and match to get the "right" outcome.

[@modkhi]

filling a fountain pen is definitely one of the most enjoyable parts of using a fountain pen for me, second only to writing with it, so it makes sense. i also have fun building furniture! honestly even as a kid i was aware that i was always very proud of anything i made, even if it wasn't objectively the Best, and that feeling hasn't lessened much. never knew there was a term for it!

[@jonathangraham5764]

Excellent video Brian, I’ve bought a few fountain pens from Goulet Pens over the years and found the attraction comes from the personal experience of using them. Anything you write with a fountain pen is unmistakably yours. My favourite pens are those that make writing a smooth and easy process and look great doing it. I also love blues!!!

[@hmadrone]

I am reminded of a Lloyd Alexander quote: "Sometimes we learn more by looking for the answer and not finding it than we do from learning the answer itself. This is one of those cases. I could tell you why, but at the moment it would only be more confusing. If you grow up with any kind of sense -- which you sometimes make me doubt -- you will very likely reach your own conclusions. They will probably be wrong. However, since they will be yours, you will feel a little more satisfied with them." The journey is important, and living fully into our journeys changes us.

[@sandrift]

Oooh. Um, yes, I definitely choose inks and pens as an extension of my personality. But this psychology applies to the non-physical, too. I’m a scientist, and we write papers, serve on committees that write reports, we design big projects/hardware, etc. People become VERY attached to their ideas, sometimes to the point of not being able to let them go, even in the face of evidence to the contrary. Great, thoughtful video.

[@namniag]

I just love the combination of art and function. Fountain pens are small pieces of art, that I can carry around with me everywhere. Every time I go to make a note, or sign something I can look at it and think “what a beautiful pen”. Those little moments of appreciation can add a lot to my day.

[@EyeisArmaghan]

Hank Green and Brian in one video! My worlds are colliding! I wouldn’t be surprised if there’s a decent overlap between Nerdfighters and folks who love fountain pens

[@KatiesCraftStudio]

This is the crossover we’ve been waiting for. (Although it would also be fun to have Brian on an episode of Dear Hank and John.) DFTBA!

[@warriorthu]

Yessss DFTBA!!!

[@sn0wflake]

My exact thought! Kind of disorienting to see those worlds come together, but very cool. I wouldn't be surprised either!

[@LesleyKelly123]

Omg, thank you for this Brian! I had to share this with my family so they could understand me and my fountain pen *thing* a bit better! I am one of those people who get a very zen buzz when they build IKEA furniture, and will voluntarily do it for others. Ohm….

[@patricialarenas6670]

I enjoyed this! As an artist, I've noticed that it's hard to part with certain pieces I've made. Even when it's a welcome sale :) and when a piece comes back after an exhibition it feels like my "child" has come home. It also seems as if an artwork has it's own life after I'm finished with it and it goes out into the world- so yeah, agreed, there's a lot to this and it's fascinating...

[@psa7211]

What a fascinating thing to bring to us. You aren't promoting something but expressing a possible why for us pen nerds. I like fountain pens for the personal experience it brings. In a way it is like accessorizing. Like personalizing your home or putting on jewelry that goes with an outfit. With fountain pens it is a more complete or expressive experience. It's not like going to Walmart and picking up a 3 pack of the same pen that writes with blue or black ink. With fountain pens there are so many pens and so many inks. My joy is getting the perfect ink for the pen. Like writers blood in my Pilot E95s in the burgundy/ champagne pen. Or what ink I want to see in my Twisbi Vac700r. Add the decision of what nib I want to write with today. The choices reflect more of who we are or how we are feeling today. The Ikea effect is the satisfaction of that, we just never had a name for it. Enlightening!

[@Mrsadams1]

Thoughts on the IKEA effect: Is it really the act of making it yourself, picking the color, etc. that makes that thing seem more valuable? Or is it that having that choice allows for customization, which makes it more of exactly what you want that makes it more valuable to you? When I'm able to customize something or make it myself, I find that it suits my purpose, taste, etc. much more than "off the shelf" things.

[@madametj]

Good point

[@MPFConservation]

Great video! I bought my first fountain pen because of ecology. I was irritated by the constant flow of plastic into the dump or worse, the rivers and oceans. It was a Preppy. I LOVED writing with a fountain pen! (Rabbit Hole!) So here is where I am different BUT it is the same. I'm an artist. I love color. SO, when I love a pen I want it in all the colors, and of course, all the colored inks (Robert Oster and DeA Document) go into them. My pen case looks like a rainbow and that makes me happy... Unfortunately I am also not rich so it is hard to buy all the colors on an expensive pen!

[@evil_inside1332]

fountain pen culture is really about customizing your ink flow and color to "perfection"

[@Bearcwy]

Very interesting subject. I like restoring fountain pens and this hit close to home. I recently purchased a Montblanc Meisterstuck 144 and it ended up have a bad cork seal. I could have sent it to another restorer and it would have cost me about $100 to get it fixed. Instead I decided to buy the specialized tools I needed to do the job my self costing me 2X as much as I could have paid to have it done. Why you may ask, I rationalized I would have the tools to restore another pen like it in the future and I looked up what a similar pen sold for working. It would cost me less than the pen was worth if I sold it and the next 1 I did would cost me even less since I have already have the tools and supplies. Oh well, our little hobbies and the cost of them, LOL

[@johansiebers3579]

For me it’s also about the sense of ownership of what I write that is higher when I use a fountain pen. My writing feels more like my own expression, my personality, than when I just type or use a less haptic, individual pen. The FP is an extension of myself. There’s also a religious motif: using water-based ink puts you in touch in an embodied way with the whole symbolism of water: the well, life, the emotions, walking on the water, calming the sea, the watercourse way. Great video!

[@Normy12]

This is the first time I've seen someone do a reaction video to scishow. I like this trend. Ikea Effect perfectly explains frankenpens. Why did you change the grip? Why did you change the nib? Why did you modify the nib? Put a lamy gold nib on a safari? A lot of Ikea effect here. Endowment Effect explains why my pens are the best pens. Sure, yours is more expensive, and cleaner, and fancier, but it doesn't have the.... uh... character of mine. Effort Justification is certainly part of why i like my Ahab. Yeah, it writes smooth. I'ts certainly not the worst pen I've ever had, and it has some interesting features. but I've also had to work on that pen more than some pens that most people would say are better. I mean... I just like it. Extension of ourselves explains why I buy which pens I buy for sure. Why I've avoided certain pens and brands, but put more effort into other pens that are otherwise less popular. There are a lot of really good pens that objectively make a lot of sense for me to get, but they just don't feel like... me? I guess? I 100% agree that these things are generally good by the way. They are literally how we think about everything. Making a frankenpen teaches you how pens are put together. It walks you through the considerations that people put into designing a pen. It breaks the fake limits we thinking inside the box that many (most) people have. Liking what you have more than an identical product that you don't have encourages us to keep what we have and not be wasteful. Liking that stupid leaky Ahab because of all the work i put into it means I know all of it's quirks and can work around them. And having an extension of ourselves makes us... quite frankly... better as using a product. it's no different than thinking of a sword as an exetension of the arm, or a musical instrument, or a house and car. We take better care of those things, we use them more often, and we are more precise in our use of them.

[@cdgarcia]

Thanks for sharing this vid. Goes to show how much you care about the fountain pen community. Btw I don’t like furniture I make myself I’m always thinking it’s going to fall apart like “why do I have extra parts leftover 🤔” 😂😂

[@UTleochi]

Haha, you have a point - it gets even worse when screws or parts are missing. 😅

[@JonStallings]

Crooked and beautiful!! Very interesting topic. I am very new to fountain pens but years ago I started down the road of traditional wet shaving (double edge safety razor, shave brush, soap etc) One of the shave forums (yes that is a thing) I was a part of had a sub group that revolved around fountain pens. So I guess fountain pens is just a natural evolution for me. The effort is part of the enjoyment.

[@jennifercormack9218]

I have only been into fountain pens for a few years now and I have really enjoyed learning about them as well as playing with them. Much of that is due to the content put out by You Brian Goulet so thank you for opening up an entirely new world to me. I appreciate all that you do to keep the fountain pen community growing.

[@tinybatfists]

I’m here for the facial expressions 😂

[@AndrewWertheimer]

Interesting clips and reflections with implications for the FP world. I do see some these effects as we select paper, pen, ink, and the perfect nib. The idea of enjoying a challenge reminds me of my joy of using old SLR or rangefinder manual lenses on a film or DSLR camera, even if my phone could take an easier and more clear photo. On the other hand , there also might be some OCD aspects in many of our collections. I’m imagining a FP-DSM 🖋️📕😊

[@photographilife]

Writing with fountain pens is definitely an extension of the writer/artist. Not sure who else would like to own a writing instrument and not really be writing, thinking about writing, and/or imagining oneself to be a writer. There is definitely an Ikea effect, but at a much lower scale because the writing experience needs to vary with colors, strength of strokes etc. to differentiate different passages, ideas etc. on a page to make it much more reviewable for reflection. Try to review your notes with ballpoint or pencil writing! Unless you HAVE to read those, they are more than likely discarded right after taking them on a notebook. Thanks for the video, Brian.

[@timothyweber671]

This was very cool to see thanks alot Brian and team!

[@shannontyree6689]

Loved loved loved this. There were so many connections to the fountain pen and ink loving community. We’ll done.

[@unchilgisam]

writing with fp is ~smooth like butter 🎶 tinkering with nibs and inks is a bonus... plus they're gorgeous 😭

[@maxvanbalgooy]

I appreciate you sharing this with us and examining what might motivate fountain pen users. I do think it is a combination of factors and they’re probably different for different people. For me, I’m an active writer in my profession but I’ve only gotten into fountain pens in the last few months. Before that I insisted on reliable pens with interesting ink colors (e.g. Pilot!)-the Bic pens in blue, black, red, and green were so boring, cheap, and unreliable. Fountain pens allow me to customize my writing experience (to borrow an idea from the Experience Economy) to make it more enjoyable, plus it’s a change from my usual word processing on computer. When I write with a fountain pen, I slow down to think about the words, the engineering that controls the ink flow, and the beauty of the pen-and it’s all in my hand in a very personal experience. Finally, today’s fountain pens are sooooo much better than the pens that were available decades ago when I was learning calligraphy. A dip pen was more reliable than a fountain pen with a bladder. So, yes, fountain pens are a niche interest but it’s a niche I built myself (the Ikea effect!).

[@michaelmedlinger6399]

Brian Goulet has more questions than answers? Nooooooo! That has NEVER, EVER happened before (with the exception of hypotheticals, favorite pens, favorite inks, etc.)! 😂 Thanks for the video, Brian!

[@GummyBear1972]

Makes sense. Sounds like one of those things that we all do subconsciously but never really thought about. A lot of things influence how we see things in this world.

[@sistergoldenhair0727]

I see this a lot in my own enjoyment of the fountain pen hobby…the choice of colors in the pen and ink combinations is integral to my enjoyment…the fully customizable experience of self expression…and of course I feel more attachment to my $1,200 pens than my $50 pens…a lot at play here, but when it comes to enjoying pens and inks and notebooks its all about self expression for me.

[@TJtheBee]

Of course, as we're sitting here talking about this, I'm knitting a weird, stripe-y scarf that's going to look absolutely bizarre to anybody but me. But do I love it? Uh, YEAH, because I'm the one making it! Lots of good points and great reflections on all of this.

[@davidkatz8270]

To those of you who are beginning to feel bad about this, don't! 50-70% of all studies in any science field can't be replicated! All science seems to back materialistic consumption and industrialized production over quality goods and personal connections. With religion, family, and localized culture dead in the west, gathering around niche material goods is all people have left. So enjoy your pens, as long as you don't let it try and fill the void where friends and family and God should be, it can be a positive aspect in your life.

[@aleksandarjordanov5030]

Psychologist here: add mechanical sympathy to the perceived endowment and the mental effect of handwriting as opposed to typing and you have more elements to the hobby 😉

[@eileengoldenberg270]

So when we create art, urban sketch for example, with fountain pens, we are expressing ourselves which is a definite step up from just choosing the ink color.

[@pen_journal]

Fascinating video Brian! The countless options of ink, paper, and pen choices, the endowment factor all leads to what we called the rabbit 🕳️ that we are all so endeared to!😅

[@sdecarlo]

Great video. Thank you Brian. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

[@anne-sp9cl]

I'm a calligrapher and have been practicing calligraphy since I was 12. It's a lot of years...trust me. I love fountain pens for their performance not for the way they look. I do appreciate the beautiful style of certain pens, but it's all about the nibs for me. The interesting thing about handwriting is that people really do appreciate a handwritten card. It can be regular writing, and people still appreciate getting real cards and letters. It's way more investment to write a "thank you" card than to dash off a quick email.

[@scottherzeg2741]

Regarding the (now-called) IKEA effect, I read that when instant cake mixes were first introduced they were met with lukewarm reception. It was only after they stopped including dehydrated eggs in the mix that they started becoming popular because the focus groups found that the women surveyed, consciously or unconsciously, wanted to "do something" in the preparation of making the mixes, which is why virtually everything is included in the mixes, except for eggs.

[@dahliapersdotter7836]

I got a new pen yesterday and my first reaction writing with it was shit why did I spend 80 dollars on a pen I didnt know if I would like or not, this is obviously not as good as others I have. And few minuter later I was more neutral and today I am happy about it! 🧐😅 Cognitive dissonance is hard. I chose it, bought it and filled it so I must like it ;)

[@loukios]

Well, here’s a question. Why are you into fountain pens? What draws you to them? Why do you put yourself through the leaking, filling, drying, etc. instead of a different alternative?

[@Deboraha5903]

Thanks for sharing this. It definitely explains a lot about what motivates me 😊

[@arley2815]

Tangentially pen-related nerdery! Though perhaps not totally extemporaneous. But that’s ok. ❤ This concept may explain some of the “why” behind the mental health benefits some people experience with using fountain pens (or with any hobby or creative endeavor). As to grandiosity of worth: The far-from-perfect 3-legged stool I’ve recently made (“from scratch”) and am finishing with BLO and wax today would probably retail for, oh, at least $100,000 USD. Not that I could ever part with it! I also wonder how this concept relates to societal “happiness” ratings (problematic though the rating of happiness may inherently be) as it relates to industrialization providing us with more and more premade, disposable goods. The “easier” life gets in certain aspects, the less happy we are? That’s oversimplified. But still. Now that my mind is spinning off in a gazillion directions with these concepts…. back to my stool! Write on!

[@LauraKnotek]

My choices reflect my personality more in terms of my current technology, rather than my niche interests. I enjoy Windows PCs and Android smartphones, since they allow for much more customization than Macs and iPhones. I'll change the RGB on my case fans and keyboard, change the wallpaper on my screen, change the icons and fonts on my phone. I started writing with fountain pens over 40 years ago. The reason was purely utilitarian. I was able to write for lengthy periods of time without getting writer's cramp. I simply continued using fountain pens into adulthood.

[@alejandroocana5020]

i love the circular window.. congrats to whoever came up with that idea

[@Big_Tex]

Nice reaction video, now do “The Sixth Sense” 🤣. Srsly though, I always recognized IKEA furniture I’ve made as the crap that it is. But my custom built red leather sofa - “custom” in that I picked the physical model from among several options, and picked the red leather from among a bunch of options - is awesome and I’m sure it’ll outlive me, as long as I avoid getting a cat.

[@janodewald6087]

Thank you for sharing this content! I find myself being driven to certain pens that reflect a personality I would like to have instead of the one I actually have. This is hard to explain, maybe needs more time for me to think about it ;-)

[@marilyngardner4269]

I have thought about this too, although I think more in terms of "identity" than personality per se. Our objects can say something about who we are or want to be.

[@pauldshan]

Brian, look at all the models behind you, and that pattern in the complex Rubik's Cube next to you. You take immense pride in your accomplishents. However, I'll bet that if that Lego Apollo rocket you built falls over and breaks, you know EXACTLY how to put it back together. If you had bought that rocket pre-assembled, you wouldn't be able to reassemble it nearly as fast and you might have a few parts left over.

[@LukeMartinVideo]

Il gonna show this to my wargaming buddy's. Collecting minis and building them and painting them makes them so unique they are of infinite value to our eyes no matter what you think.

[@CiDirkona]

Interesting stuff -- I find myself delving into all sorts of technical hobbies that I can get my hands on and create stuff. This episode is right up my alley. Thanks!

[@jkrause365]

Fascinating! I've noticed many of these sorts of feelings about ownership etc. in the things that I have made. And there's something else too: If I assembled an object, can I assemble the object again and do a better job at say fit and finish? Well then, there's nothing for it but to make a second attempt, or a third.

[@veronapaisley6915]

It's the love of personal choice, ability, the immersion in the process and the result(s).

[@bitteralmonds666]

The thing about IKEA is the material itself. If it is made out of pressed-wood or particle board, then I would try to steer clear from it because that glue off-gasses and is the cause of indoor air pollution. This is not good for kids, the elderly, and/or people with breathing problems. I would rather pay the extra or spend the extra time looking for furniture that does not do this. With that being said, if you enjoy puzzles, IKEA furniture seems as if it would fit that niche. I remember telling classmates in my organic chemistry class that o-chem synthesis is a lot like putting together IKEA furniture. If you know how to read the picture instructions, then o-chem synthesis looks a bit like it. It's a puzzle! 🤔🧐

[@DieterPrivate]

Lol, it's so true that when you struggle with something and still get a good result, you'll think it's better than it is, I notice this with colouring 😃.

[@louiser5613]

Great video. For me, using my fountain pens, beautiful inks, and matching stamps is like a Japanese Tea Ceremony. I like to think the recipients of my letters enjoy the envelopes as much as the contents. Well, almost.

[@sharonluvisi6069]

I have no idea why I am defending IKEA, but I purchased some tall bookcases from Plummer's Furniture that didn't survive one move, even even after my dad tried in vain to hold it together with furniture stretch wrap. I then purchased three tall white IKEA Billy bookcase. They have now survived four moves; they're still in perfect condition and are still very sturdy. Take a look at Booktubers' videos...the majority of them have IKEA Billy bookcases in the background. Enough about IKEA...I really enjoyed this video. Just cleaning out a clogged fountain pen thrills me to no end and I feel like a hero when I play a private contest against myself to see if I can fill a fountain pen without getting a drop of ink on my fingers. Is my life that mundane that I'm now getting my kicks from that?

[@denisewenke8323]

There are many classic games built on that same thrill, from pick-up sticks to Operation and more. We're in good company.

[@isabeltsang1800]

There are so many choices and tinkering we can do with fountain pens and I think that is so endearing. When I look at someone else's pen and how they use it, it feels so distinctly theirs in my mind that the pen, even if I have the same model in my possession, feels so foreign to me. It's because it seems like such a personal object: they picked the pen, the nib, the color, the ink... they cleaned it, and filled it and carried it to this place so they can write with it. I think there is a lot of personalization and identity to be found in this hobby and it's not only fun to play with our own, but also see other people's identities and efforts shine through in their pens!

[@jess53nz]

Two of my fav channels collide?! *twilight zone music*

[@davegoodridge8352]

Interesting video, Thanks. Wishing you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving.

[@photogman390]

Great info. Very interesting. As a pro photographer, my photos are better than anything I see elsewhere...oh oh...Ikea Effect.

[@Donna_G]

Happy Thanksgiving. I've only had one product that had the Ikea label on it. It was a sofa bed. It was freecycled to me. The wooden slats kept falling out anytime anybody tried to use it as a bed. I did not have any bits that could drill through metal; so, could not put bolts in. So, I used duct tape and secured each end of the boards into their respective slots. I used up a lot of duct tape; but, it worked. I have never purchased from Ikea; but, I have purchased furniture kits. Sauder is the brand that is available locally from a couple different stores. The most recent piece that I purchased was labeled as a night stand; but, it was the perfect size for my new printer. Some kits include extra hardware; but, this kit did not. All the hardware got used. Do I feel any more connection to this piece of furniture just because I was able to put it together myself? Not really. It serves a practical purpose and that's it. My favorite fountain pen is the TWSBI Eco. I don't really have a psychological connection to it. It does not make me feel better when I use it. However there is a practical reason why it is my favorite pen. It is a reliable pen. Even if it has been a week or longer since I've used it, I can pick it up and start writing with it. I have some more expensive pens that just won't do it. I have no regrets about purchasing them, though. It's all part of the learning experience. In a way, it is like gardening. From one season to the next, I don't know how my community garden will produce. In 2021, I planted a lot of carrots and none of them germinated except for a few. Even those that did never made it to maturity. In 2022, I planted a few carrot seeds and every one of them germinated. It's a learning experience every year.

[@gsoberg]

This is a great point and I would extend this attachment to what we make with our pens. I have tried every productivity system on God’s Green Earth, and the only thing that really effective for me is bullet journaling. I invest time and money into my journals. I buy pens and inks and fancy notebooks and highlighters and HOPEFULLY SOON the Pilot Parallel Hand Lettering Set (hi Santa) and invest time in my layouts and lists. Because I’ve invested so much energy into my journal, I feel ownership of it and I’m more likely to use it. I love FPs because they are beautiful and don’t cramp my bear mitts like a normal pen does, but the outcome is what truly makes me passionate about them.

[@debcarroll8192]

I think some of these evaluations, such as effort justification, are somewhat more negative than they should be. We are made to be creative, and it can give us a great deal of satisfaction to make things. We put something of ourselves into things we make, and that is a really beautiful thing. Just think of the shelves you and your son made together (which I am sure are not wobbly.) They are more than shelves, they are a shared experience. He will probably want to keep them for the rest of his life because of that.

[@j.s.matlock1456]

I call BS on the idea that kids will eat foods if they help prepare them. When I was nine, we were visiting some friends from Louisiana, and they were making crawfish etouffee for dinner. I helped to peel the crawfish, consequently I only ate rice for dinner. (Not a fan of shellfish!) 🤣

[@ScientificallyEngineered]

This is the literal intersection of my niche interests - the Green Brothers (first guy in video - creators of Sci Show) and the Goulet PenCast!!!!

[@payamgh5143]

True, true, and true! It all resonates 😮

[@dandelionpuff]

I adore all of the SciShows! I remember when I watched this the first time and it was such an eye opener. I think it's part of the reason I gravitate toward bullet journaling over using a pre-printed planner.

[@assumingtrout]

On top of fountain pens and writing helping me write my thoughts down and help me get through some tough times, I think the act of cleaning them and filling them helps to give me more satisfaction in the ownership of them. So much more than a computer or a phone because you have to do more with them than just use them. Excellent video as always. Happy Thanksgiving Goulet Pens!

[@mcj084]

If cleaning a little pen gives you a sense of accomplishment, I’ve got a whole house you can clean - that should net you a MASSIVE sense of accomplishment. 😂😂😂😂😂 Seriously though, some fountain pen enthusiasts will set aside some time once a week to batch-clean their pens. I do it as-needed. The act of cleaning a fountain pen can be as calming and ritualistic as any Japanese tea ceremony - a Zen moment in one’s hectic life. That concept can also be applied to almost anything when we just slow down and focus upon the process AND enjoy it or its’ results.

[@Dosbomber]

I agree with using wood glue to help hold your flat-pack furniture together, but be aware that most of those "Ikea" type atrocities are just MDF or particle board with veneer glued to the edges. Using wood glue on these surfaces are literally just gluing veneer to veneer, which will still only be as good as the hot glue holding the veneer to the garbage that makes up the core of many of those DIY furniture panels.

[@pnwesty7174]

Effort justification plays a role in world religions, politics, consumerism at large - my tribe/group/club/thing is the best because I am partaking, and to think otherwise is an admission that I was wrong. Enter the cognitive dissonance that is required to justify the corner into which we paint ourselves.

[@carolyn3418]

Brian, this is fascinating! I'd love to see more of your reflections on the fountain pen hobby. Great stuff!

[@litost6564]

Semi related, but if we like things better when we make them, why does the opposite seem to hold true for art?? Myself and many other artists I know struggle a lot with disliking your own art. Idk, maybe it has something to do with being a beginner/amateur at something and as you get better at the thing realizing where your skill level is actually at. Most people putting together IKEA furniture probably aren't doing that as a job or even a hobby. A person who makes furniture for a living probably wouldn't feel great if they poorly put together some IKEA furniture. Idk where I'm going with this, just thinking. I do definitely get way more attached to any pens I customized myself though, like if I swapped out the nib or especially if I tuned the nib myself to something I find more enjoyable to write with.

[@jonathonedwards6741]

I don't know if this applies to me personally with off the shelf pens as I've been around fountain pens since I was 7 or 8, a good 20 years at this point. That being said the Jinhaos I modify and play with definately fall under this, for instance my 993 that's running an Edison feed, nib and waterman converter or my gold nibbed Jinhaos (Edison nibs). They're not something that you can buy off the shelf so I guess that's it for me, they're a nice tool that does a job.

[@bikkies]

I very rarely feel invested in anything I make. I have a very low self-esteem and low sense of self worth; it's not a problem for me, it is just who I am. I'm self deprecating but it runs deeper. Taking the food aspect, my cooking skills are rudimentary but I use food to stay alive. I enjoy some foods but the preparation leaves me cold. If I put in an hour of effort towards something I'm then just going to eat, it feels like time wasted. My partner takes ages preparing complex things to eat, snacks or full meals, gaining a sense of satisfaction from the outcome. When I do that, it feels like time I'll never recoup. That's why I live on microwave meals. I can't be bothered with the preparation and, unlike others, the food does not taste better to me if I've spent ages setting it up.

[@Gouletpens]

Just keep trying new things! I'm sure there's something out there that'll hook you! Don't give up the search for joy! - Drew

[@salstermonster]

Hi team. I was able to get my hands on a 1983 Waterman Le Man 100 #6 nib/feed and I would love to use it but I can't figure out if there's another pen housing that I can install it on that is affordable. Please help!

[@lauraholleman3560]

This was really interesting and I do see some of this in acquiring and using fountain pens. There’s also a continuing effect in owning fountain pens: change the ink, change the nib, use it with a different notebook or for a different purpose (hey, my work pen is now my grocery list pen for example). This keeps the hobby fresh and new. Thanks for sharing this - I wouldn’t mind a video exploring this further.

[@AlfistaWayne]

Wow, I will never get back those minutes spent watching this video.

[@theotherlinh]

Never thought to tie this to fountain pens :) But I definitely get the "i made it" satisfaction. Whether or not I feel it's actually better depends on how confident I am on the subject, lol. IKEA stuff specifically I never found to be great, I was just in it for the look. I also used to enjoy putting it together, I think I'm one of the few people who didn't have issues with the picto instructions (most of the time...) lol. But bringing the same idea to fountain pens... I'm not sure I can make the connection. Maybe it's just the fact of writing is more satisfying? I do sometimes wonder if I'm crazy with all the fountain pens I have.

[@karisbarfield8948]

This was a very interesting video. In fact, I went over and watched the other video also. I am hoping that you would consider doing more like this in the future. Thank you!!

[@ragnorak56]

There are a lot of interesting psychological aspects of niche hobbies. One thing I believe is that I think FP users probably read more than the overall average in society. I also think people with ADHD are disproportionately represented in the FP community.

[@PUNISHERMHS_2021]

Would the Goulet Pen Flush be safe for a TWSBI Eco?

[@stuartmortensen6033]

So you're saying that I need a Noodlers Conrad to tinker with?

[@mrcat3493]

This video was great. I think a lot of that applies to our community for sure. The “endowment effect” and inherent nature of the personalization and customization of fountain pens and inks is all present in what that video spoke about.

[@senzen2692]

The biggest effect I've noticed is the amount of time and effort I've had to invest in acquiring some pens, given that I set myself a maximum budget. When asked which pens I appreciate more, and turning the question around to "which pen would you miss more" I have to admit I would hate to lose those pens that didn't cost a whole lot but took a good dose of patience and luck.

[@nuc_lab]

I found the woman in the video to be insufferable and condescending. I appreciate Brian's input and ability to put a positive spin on this tripe.

[@SoulQuJo]

cool video! I feel this

[@SunshineFL]

Good morning. Good video

[@MisterCross]

Love it, Brian. Great discussion and video.

[@5t4n5]

So my Twsbi isn't quite as good as a Montblanc then? Bummer🤣

[@someperson5834]

Lol I wish ikea had this effect on me. I look at it as junk. It doesn't matter if I assemble the junk or someone else does it. They're both equally junk.

[@denisewenke8323]

Good point. It's often a functional placeholder for something better down the road.

[@CatalogK9]

I saw that video a while ago, and they did a great job for sure. I have ADHD, and I'm growing more and more suspicious that I may also be autistic, so "special interests" and "hyperfixations" are a big thing for me for those reasons as well as all the ones mentioned in these videos. I've also always been fascinated by aesthetics and design, and 90% of the purchase decisions I make are primarily made on those bases, with those design choices being my favorite form of artistic expression. I'm a goth, but also into historical fashion, gaming, etc., so I have outfits and accessories to fit whatever my daily mood requires, and my stuff is no exception. Most of my decor and bags tend to be from the (Japanese) Pokémon Center, for example, because the artwork and design bring so much joy through nostalgia, pure aesthetic delight (their Japanese site tends to have way nicer art than the American/global site offers), and they also serve to express something fun but also intimate about who I am to those around me. Being able to choose pen styles, colors, nibs, and inks, and then being able to change and coordinate those things together, and having to take the time to actually *do* all of that hits many of the same dopamine switches (especially when I'm using my Pikachu and Gengar-printed Kakuno with a nice matching Lavender Town-esque purple of gray ink to match the pen), all while acting as a form of self-care by removing some of the (physical and metaphorical) pain from the writing process (especially when that involves several hours of marathon notetaking for college classes). If you've gotta have stuff, it should be stuff that you love using.