Morning TV thought

[rootbeer1]

What gets me about the BBC TV show, Cash In The Attic:

Typical British family needs some money for some semi-vulgar purpose -- trip to a theme park, fancy night out, videogame console, etc.

So the TV show crew comes in and combs the house for anything of value to sell, to pay for that purpose.

"This diamond ring your late grandfather used his life's savings to buy, which was originally owned by the family of Winston Churchill, and which saved your grandmother's life when she was trapped in a car underwater and she used it to cut through the glass, and which was celebrated in a 1950s TV documentary, Diamond Ring of Destiny -- it'll fetch at least 40 pounds at auction! You're well on your way to that Playstation Plus!"

So many of these families get rid of unique family heirlooms for a pittance, to pay for consumer goods, or transitory things like Eurodisney trips, or spa weekends.

Wankers.

Comments

Value

[poodler.livejournal.com]

But if these things have no sentimental value to the owners then they should be sold so that someone who values them can better appreciate them.

Re: Value

[rootbeer1.livejournal.com]

It's the owners who value their Playstations and spa trips over their unique family history that I find myself resenting. I think what pushed me over the edge was some George Gershwin sheet music personally autographed to the family's grandmother, who worked for Gershwin. As far as the family was concerned, this bit of precious family memorabilia was only valuable in that it got them closer to EuroDisney.

Re: Gershwin

[poodler.livejournal.com]

Well, YOU wouldn't sell something of such family value but that shows your committment to family. I think that it's great that people let go of what they don't appreciate, so that those of us who enjoy these things, including museums, can "touch" them. I get more bothered when a museum, college or library sells a rare painting, manuscript, document which was left to it by someone who felt such item/s was/are important enough to safe keep said item/s in said institution. My feeling is that the institution has a duty to safe guard a donated item (or decline acceptance in the first place) and instead rely on fundraising campaigns to raise $$$.

[rootbeer1.livejournal.com]

Those families should appreciate their family history. That they don't is just a sorry reflection of their priorities.