Dear Friend,
It is the time of the year again (cyber Monday) and I have come to visit once again. I love to see you suffer mentally, physically, spiritually, and socially. I find it amusing when you research all night what lens or new camera should you buy, making you restless and anxious throughout the days. I enjoy debilitating your conscious decision-making process, the one that distinguishes if your money is well spent. I take pleasure in seeing you irritated when someone reminds you that it isn’t the camera that makes a good picture but the photographer.
I want you to be confused all day long. Should you “invest” in the new Sony FF A7RII or the Fuji X-T1? You debate incessantly in your head, weighing the pros and cons to a point where you can’t think clearly and positively. I want you to feel guilty and remorseful for all the purchases you have done in the past and you’ll never be able to let go of. Remember that 50mm lens your purchased that you never used? I want to make you angry and hateful toward the National Geographic photographers that show off their gear on that wooden floor just before they embark on a world tour of exotic new places. Yes, I laugh when you don’t give that “gear picture” a heart on instagram out of jealousy.
I want you to feel sorry for your pictures and blame all the gear for the way things are. I want you to think so much about your decision that you can’t sleep, and when you do I’m even in your dreams. I want to be the first thing you think about every morning and the last thing you think about before you fall asleep. Remember the money you had saved for that trip to Japan? I know Japan can wait, there is so much gear you would rather purchase. I deeply appreciate how much you are sacrificing for me. The countless diners with friends that you deeply cared for. Your reputation on reddit and dpreview asking stupid gear comparison questions.
I am eternally grateful, especially for the loved ones, family and the more important people in the world that you have turned yourself against. You threw even those away for me! But do not despair, my friend, for on me you can always depend. After you have lost all these things, you can still depend on me to take even more. You can depend on me to keep you in living HELL, mind, body, and soul. For I will not be satisfied until you are bankrupt (or if you are wealthy enough to buy all the gear in the world), my friend.
Forever Yours,
Your Gear Acquisition Syndrome (G.A.S.)
Credit – This letter was adapted from GYE’s addiction letter. Some parts are identical to their letter. Just to showcase how GAS = addiction.