Consoomers / Consoomer Culture - Because if it has a recogniseable brand on it, I’d buy it!

[Stella d'Oro]

I feel like a lot of people get wary of building or working on their own PC because in their heads they liken it to working on a car or something, which is understandably a lot more complicated and in-depth. But mercifully, MOST PC parts have been heavily standardized.

It's easier now than it's ever been thanks to standardized parts and plug-and-play technology. There was a time when you would spend hours messing around with dip switches and jumpers and configuring IRQs to get all of your hardware working. Fewer parts in a new build, too. Anyone old enough to have built an AT form factor PC knows what a mess of ribbon cables and expansion cards it was, when literally nothing was on-board. How about upgrading cache by adding another chip to the motherboard?

The lifespan of the average PC is so much longer now that perhaps tinkering with them is becoming a bit of a lost art? In the 90s and early 00s you were seemingly always upgrading some part or another to keep up. Now? A 5 year old PC is still perfectly usable for anything other than AAA games. Microslop will pull support for the OS long before the hardware fails or becomes obsolete.

I also feel like there's been a technological dumbing down of the younger generations. I've had more than one genZ coworker less tech savvy than the average boomer. Maybe it's just the fact that they've grown up with everything being plug and play, point and click, turn it on and it just works. They've never had to tinker or dive deep into a configuration file to get something working. Even just getting online was a whole process at one time.

 

[Acoustic Virgin]

This PC building discussion is an interesting one. I agree that it's not particularly challenging nor does it necessarily require any specialized skills or knowledge, but I also believe it to be too complicated for the average user. For a gamer? Sure, you'd be foolish not to build your rig to your own specifications. But for Linda who just wants a computer that'll run Microsoft Office (even though Google Docs will do everything she needs) and log onto Facebook? She's better off just buying off the rack.

If something expensive breaks they are liable, not me.

And I think that's a big reason why most people buy pre-built PCs -- to have someone to blame when things go wrong. Sure, we know that if you call up the company whose logo is on the case they'll say it's Microsoft's fault, and Microsoft will blame some hardware OEM, and so on and so on until the user gives up, but just like with new cars, there is a significant subset of the population who finds reassurance in the ability to go in and say: It's not working; FIX IT!

I also feel like there's been a technological dumbing down of the younger generations. I've had more than one genZ coworker less tech savvy than the average boomer. Maybe it's just the fact that they've grown up with everything being plug and play, point and click, turn it on and it just works. They've never had to tinker or dive deep into a configuration file to get something working. Even just getting online was a whole process at one time.

This is definitely true. What was previously seen as "computer skills" could more accurately be described as problem-solving skills. By having to deal with finnicky tech, certain generations (mostly Gen X and Millennials) were forced to identify the issue, troubleshoot the root cause, experiment with possible solutions, and methodically test them out to get things working again. We were forced to not just learn about but live the scientific method every day of our lives just to get our printers working or get connected to the network again or whatever we wanted to do. As technology has become more predictable and reliable (and as the educational system has deteriorated to "teaching the test" rather than teaching concepts like critical thinking), those skills aren't as ubiquitous as they once were.

 

[Barry Williams]

I'm so sure that it'd be easy enough until I specifically got to it, then it'd be like solving a Chinese Rubix cube.

You can buy the faggotiest RGB memory sticks and cooling fan for your processor but at the end of the day all RAM sticks no matter how garish they are ultimately snap into the same exact slots and every processor fan & heatsink fit on the exact same two little notches and the fan's power cable plugs into the same plug (and only fits on it one way to prevent you plugging it in backwards).

Unless you're doing something really advanced like trying to install multiple graphics cards and bridge them together or install a complex HDMI/RCA video capturing card or custom sound rig, there's really nothing about it that isn't straightforward. Most people just need "something that works" and that boils down to the same 4 or 5 parts no matter how you slice it.

 

[User names must be unique]

Unless you're doing something really advanced

or you cheaped out on the case, the hardest problems I've ever had to deal with was cable management in a case with barely any clearance and no obvious routing for it. Still i refuse to spend more than £50 on a PC case.

 

[John Titor]

I feel like console fanboys and the "console war" people are some of the worst consoomers on the planet. Mindless brand-loyalists who have attached themselves to some of the most obvious sinking-ships and yet continue to sperg out about how amazing their plastic box is and how great it is to run games at 15 fps.

PC Master Race people also have some similar problems, although in my opinion are a bit less cringe because they tend to take it less seriously as well.

I haven't read all 544 pages of this thread, are they mentioned here? Do they have/need their own thread?

We did, I think I brought up that there are people smart enough to realize console wars only benefits the corporations and you should just buy whatever suits your needs. Can't say PC Master Race are much better since I saw some who frothed at the mouth at someone considering getting a console instead of investing in a new PC. I find PC gamers insufferable because of how loud they are and I'm saying that as someone who pretty much switched to PC.

I feel like a lot of people get wary of building or working on their own PC because in their heads they liken it to working on a car or something, which is understandably a lot more complicated and in-depth. But mercifully, MOST PC parts have been heavily standardized. For example, it does not matter what make or model hard drive you buy, even HDD or SSD, it's going to have a SATA connector on it and your motherboard is also going to have that same plug socket. The only real snag is that motherboards either have AMD or Intel sockets for processors, but that's something you can look up in advance; PC Part Picker, for example, will not let you virtually build out a computer with parts that do not fit with each other.

They must have made them idiot proof because I tried my hand at building a new PC and it's about as easy as putting together an Ikea. No more prebuilds for me.

 

[AnOminous]

or you cheaped out on the case, the hardest problems I've ever had to deal with was cable management in a case with barely any clearance and no obvious routing for it. Still i refuse to spend more than £50 on a PC case.

Cougar is pretty good.

Unless you're doing something really advanced like trying to install multiple graphics cards and bridge them together or install a complex HDMI/RCA video capturing card or custom sound rig, there's really nothing about it that isn't straightforward. Most people just need "something that works" and that boils down to the same 4 or 5 parts no matter how you slice it.

One potential issue is making sure big components like the GPU can actually fit in the case, but you can check that on sites like pcpartpicker.

 

[Spawn of Dangerhair]

It doesn't have to be an either-or choice now.

Just like how suits come in Bespoke (fully custom, made exactly to how you "speak" it), Made-to-Measure (an existing pattern modified to your measurements, cut, and made), and Off-the-Rack/ Ready-to-Wear, you can get a prebuilt and add your own parts later.

A lot of places will let you select a spec, change parts around, and build it for you.

With all the shortages, that's honestly what I'd do now.

As for consoomers, I'm still baffled as to how they can even make practical things impractical. Look at the flashlight reddit- they all need the latest obscure Chinese word salad name lights, all with warm emitters and custom modes.

Flashlights come in a few different types: throwers (long narrow beam), floodlights (wide beam), penlights (pocket size, highly portable), and headlamps. There's no one "best" type, it depends on use case. Doing search and rescue in hilly terrain? Thrower. Caving? Floodlight. Looking for something in your basement? Penlight.

Redditors/consoomers will have like 60 versions of the same flashlight.

 

[My cravat doesn't flutter]

She's one of the worst out there. Also, that horrible accent she has? Fake.

She's ugly and has a grating fake accent. Her popularity confounds me.

but back to this topic so glad I found this thread I hate the. “Dis liek starwars or marvel” people but there’s a lot of people that go unchecked in the horror genre too.

I'm very private with my enjoyment of IPs and rarely, if ever, engage with fandoms. For as much of a horror nut as I am and have always been, with hundreds of titles in my library that I'm actively working my way through, those people would absolutely give me shit for not being a "real horror fan". There are plenty of classics I've never seen. I'm not familiar with most of the IPs that sell merch in stores. Most of my favorite films are obscure shoestring budget titles no one's heard of. A true and honest horror fan loves movies X, Y, and Z and marathons series A, B, and C every October.

 

[I was a Teenage “JA”-man]

I'm very private with my enjoyment of IPs and rarely, if ever, engage with fandoms. For as much of a horror nut as I am and have always been, with hundreds of titles in my library that I'm actively working my way through, those people would absolutely give me shit for not being a "real horror fan". There are plenty of classics I've never seen. I'm not familiar with most of the IPs that sell merch in stores. Most of my favorite films are obscure shoestring budget titles no one's heard of. A true and honest horror fan loves movies X, Y, and Z and marathons series A, B, and C every October.

Obscure horror movies are the best, carnival of souls is one of my favorites! It’s more of the Pop-culturefication of these things that defang something that was at one point scary and cool, they make baby costumes of Michael meyers, and xenomorph funko pops. The amount of Scream merch stuff like that.
Me and my wife are “spooky all year” types but I’m not putting Santa hats on the Halloween decorations. Let alone engage with that community.

 

[My cravat doesn't flutter]

Obscure horror movies are the best, carnival of souls is one of my favorites!

Bitter Souls has a special place in my heart as a prime example of substance being more important than looks (also look at the game Virtue's Last Reward. It's a great game despite looking horrendous graphically).

It’s more of the Pop-culturefication of these things that defang something that was at one point scary and cool, they make baby costumes of Michael meyers, and xenomorph funko pops.

We've got an entire subgenre of horror games - mascot horror - that only exist to sell merch to children.

I haven't seen the Child's Play reboot, but I heard they made Chucky an AI toy like M3GAN. In an attempt to remain culturally relevant, they completely disregarded the fact that Charles Lee Ray, the spirit inhabiting the doll, was a real character who existed before the doll.

The amount of Scream merch stuff like that.
Me and my wife are “spooky all year” types but I’m not putting Santa hats on the Halloween decorations. Let alone engage with that community.

What I find amusing is how territorial consoomers can get of their consumables. If you own one of their holy relics and aren't familiar with the source material, they will eviscerate you. I've never seen any of the Jaws movies and own this fella:

There are real people out there who would be mad that I own a plushie. I like him. He's hideous yet soft and squishy and could easily hurt you if your fingers got stuck in his mouth.

You must consoom product. You must encourage others to consoom product. But not that person! They must answer your riddles three to be worthy of consooming said product.

 

[moocow]

There are real people out there who would be mad that I own a plushie. I like him. He's hideous yet soft and squishy and could easily hurt you if your fingers got stuck in his mouth.

Yeah I've encountered that, too. I have a $20 "Slowpoke" plushie because it's the cutest fucking thing I've ever seen from any animated TV show or video game in the past 30 years. He's a big, fat, happy, adorable and obviously retarded pink thing that gives zero fucks about anything and is just god damn happy about life, god dammit. I know fuck all about Pokemon and don't care, either. I just know that's what he's from, and that's it.

God fucking forbid a Pokemon fan find out I have him sitting on my bedroom dresser though without knowing his backstory or anything though. Holy fucking autism, Batman. A guy actually got agitated about it when I said "I dunno about Pokemon. He's just adorable so I got him."

Funny shit, tbh. I guess it's good to have something in your life outside of boring ass politics that gets your blood pumping like that, but it's still sad overall.

 

[femboy fart huffer]

God fucking forbid a Pokemon fan find out I have him sitting on my bedroom dresser though without knowing his backstory or anything though.

I used to see shit like this a lot on maxmoefoe's videos because he'd constantly shit on and destroy things that other people would want. They have this strange entitled mindset that they deserve to be given whatever item that another person hasn't shown themselves to fully appreciate and enjoy in a sufficient way. The thing that entitles them to owning that item isn't their money but instead their knowledge of it. There's this idea that if someone doesn't want something then you are entitled to it.

The idea that the product should go to the person who wants it most, instead of the person willing to actually pay for it. You have purchased something and are obviously entitled to the enjoyment of your own possessions. But to these people you are not entitled because you have not acquired that item in a way that they believe is acceptable.

It's a similar mindset that ends with people messaging someone on facebook marketplace that's giving something away for free and asking if they can get it delivered for free too.

 

[Chromeo]

The idea that the product should go to the person who wants it most, instead of the person willing to actually pay for it.

Sounds kind of communist to me

 

[My cravat doesn't flutter]

The idea that the product should go to the person who wants it most, instead of the person willing to actually pay for it.

If I like an IP enough that I want to display it in my room, I'm willing to spend a few shekels on something unique or rare/limited edition that looks nice and is actually worth displaying:

I have limited space to work with and want to make the most of it. You could probably fit 4-5 Funko Pops in the space that briefcase occupies. You could buy many Funko Pops with the money I spend on it second-hand. This just looks so much better. I'd take a thoughtfully selected collection of unique pieces over a wall of Funk Pops any day.

 

[My cravat doesn't flutter]

No idea why Amazon recommended me this garbage, but apparently Funko Pops have invaded the picture book market:

I'm curious: do Target-exclusive Band-Aid bags have a consoomer following? Target and Band-Aid™ have this deal where you get a free first aid bag with the purchase of 3 qualifying Band-Aid™ products. The bag itself is empty and you need to fill it yourself. Every few months, a new theme is dropped with 2 new bag designs and a tin of printed fabric bandaids to match the theme.

I consider this a bit less egregious than a lot of consoomer products. You can buy the bags on their own, but it's also really easy to accidentally comp one by getting things that are already on your shopping list. The deal encourages you to buy things that are actually useful. Those things cost more than their generic counterparts, but serve the same purpose. The tins are nice quality and can be reused for storage.

 

[moocow]

The tins are nice quality and can be reused for storage.

And as an added bonus, you can store non-first aid-related stuff in them, like hand warmers, fire lighters, condoms, catnip, dice, or cyanide tablets (this last one makes these bags/tins a real blast at emergencies ).

 

[The Potatomatic 2000]

This is so gay. Nasal fat homosexual saying "yeeeeah, rampant landfill core is okay, because men grill and buy cars".
It's so weird how offensively fast these people excuse women's abhorrently stupid habits because well, girls are UWU and they were targeted by the ads.
The fact he compares men collecting football merch or vintage cars to Labubu and Stanley is especially funny. Like I don't think anyone really cares about anyone else having a legit, curated collection they spent decades consistently learning about and cultivating. The issue is the revolving door of manic hoarding of a trendy item for like 6 months, then throwing it in the garbage to get on the new trend.
Plus, the sheer volume. Even the richest, most crazy sportscar collector will most likely have a couple dozen cars at max and those are elite. But even the kids of my coworkers begged for Labubus and we are not even American. They just saw whichever local influencer went to the US for vacay first unboxing some.

Aaaaan he also says people hated Twilight because girls liked it. Totally ignoring the quality of the book and the fucking shitshow behavior of the fans. Like we libshitted so hard we circled back to praising a book where a vampire fucks a teen girl strictly after marrying her right out of high school, then her having a baby that's killing her.

He also claims shopping is a legit hobby for people who lack the time and place for any other hobby. As in... grabbing a pencil and a piece of paper? Online girlie pop book spaces are a shitshow as well, but still. How is that more time consuming than scrolling for the next trend, then standing in line at Starbies at 4 am for the next cup?

 

[foam rolla]

This is so gay. Nasal fat homosexual saying "yeeeeah, rampant landfill core is okay, because men grill and buy cars".

You know that faggot has never played that guitar that's sitting in the background of his room.

 

[Sleazy Car Salesman]

or you cheaped out on the case, the hardest problems I've ever had to deal with was cable management in a case with barely any clearance and no obvious routing for it. Still i refuse to spend more than £50 on a PC case.

If you're having cable routing problems just tear the side of the case off and leave it off. It doesn't matter how obstructed the fans are if the entire side of the case is open for infinite CFM airflow. I had a PC way back in the day that I had to rip the side panel off the case, duct tape a box fan to it, and then place it on the sill of an open window to keep it cool, ran it like that for years. PCs aren't as fragile as people think that they are.

 

[AnOminous]

The lifespan of the average PC is so much longer now that perhaps tinkering with them is becoming a bit of a lost art? In the 90s and early 00s you were seemingly always upgrading some part or another to keep up. Now? A 5 year old PC is still perfectly usable for anything other than AAA games. Microslop will pull support for the OS long before the hardware fails or becomes obsolete.

The first computer I actually owned, back in the '80s, was built out of semi-defective parts removed from other computers I repaired as part of my job, and was in a pizza box. I don't mean the kind of case called that, I mean a literal box from a delivery pizza.

It had shit like a motherboard with a burned out ISA slot, a modem that failed to connect half the time for unknown reasons, a CPU that was so overheated you could cook an egg on it, a graphics card with weird glitches, a drive practically made of bad sectors, etc.

Over the course of a couple years I Ship of Theseused into an actual computer, but even in its worst version it still functioned just fine, so long as you could cope with its quirks. I never spent a dime on it.