all that stuff IS trash. abandonware websites have been around since the late 90s. preservation is a cool ideal. i mean, collecting cartridges from retro systems is a just hobby because there’s historical value in the games as physical objects and because you need the system to play them.
PC games? not so much, unless you’re considering them as a complete product with the box and instruction manual and all that. those CD’s aren’t even going to work on a modern computer; you’ll have to fiddle with dosbox or some emulator; so why not just have a digital copy?
this isn’t preservation–it’s mental illness justified with ideas of preservation; most of this haul are trash-worthy CD-R’s with official artwork and a case.
alien: “what’s the difference between this bag and that bag?” --he gestures to the gucci bag on my shoulder and the bag on my photographers shoulder, probably from wal-mart; i wouldn’t know.
human: “mine is a gucci.”
alien: “what about his?”
human: “it’s cheap” --her eyes can’t hide the disdain toward his bag.
alien: "does yours hold more items? did you finally solve the infinite pouch paradox?’
human: “stop being weird… it’s a better brand, a luxurious brand…”
alien: “what’s luxury?”
human: "let me consult with chatgtp, give me a second.’
alien: ‘but does it hold more items???’
human: “no, it holds the same amount of items.”
the alien flies away.