The connection between the "assetization" of pop culture collectibles and the focus shift towards popularity over obscurity is illuminating. This reminds me of

The connection between the "assetization" of pop culture collectibles and the focus shift towards popularity over obscurity is illuminating. This reminds me of the recent explosion in the Pokemon card market [1], which struck me as a similar phenomenon where it seems like the market is being controlled by outsider millionaires more than by collectors with a lot of investment in the series. On the other hand, when I see that picture of the pristine SMB cart, I can kind of understand the hype. I couldn't imagine myself ever being that hardcore of a Nintendo fan, but if I were as infatuated with Mario as I am in some of the things I actually collect myself, I think I would be extremely jealous of whoever owns that cart. [1] https://fortune.com/2021/03/29/pokemon-cards-value-sale-collectors-item-nft-charizard-card-sold/ https://fortune.com/2021/03/29/pokemon-cards-value-sale-coll...