And Ob, just grounded me...
I needed that.
I'm going to share a thought now about why this upset me the way it did.
I don't know the serial numbers of my 3 GGs... I've seen them... I don't know them. Mine are higher than some, and lower than others.
They are very nice PVs.
I have other PVs with serial numbers... I think... but I don't know the numbers.
I place NO value on the specific numbers. I don't give them even the slightest consideration.
I truly don't care what they are.
I own several wonderful limited edition works by Hiashi Otsuka
Hisashi Otsuka
I don't know the edition numbers... they are higher than some and lower than others.
They inspire me when I look at them... I don't see the numbers.
The Serial Number on the Zenesis is not emblazoned out in the open... it was never intended to create competition of value. It's an identifying mark... it was never intended to add or lower value. It's the true name of the PV... "This one is 0024", and "that one is 0101"...
They are not designed to create a hierarchy.
They are not designed to provide bragging rights.
And even though, for the most part and with very few exceptions, they were made in linear order, this isn't supposed to be anything more than a simple identifying mark.
I never intended for there to be status associated with the serial number.
I don't care about them, but having an identifying mark is good... when 6 people are
vaping together and they all have their identival PVs on the table... it's good to be able to Identify yours.
That's the whole Idea.
I don't like the competition that it has caused, or the ill feelings. (Both mine, and others)
I don't like the accusation that I somehow ruined the value of the PV
buy doing the right thing earlier on, and shipping them out of order instead of halting production... that would have been a little silly. Like I said... the numbers mean nothing to me... and I truly wish they could mean nothing to anybody that owns one. Value was never the intent.
I'm actually considering dropping the numbers and calling it an "open edition" with no serial numbers at all.
The problem with THAT is that it would once again raise the importance of the numbers and people with numbers will hold a higher status than those without. The competition continues.
But I especially didn't like the ugly feeling of true disdain that came from Cardsligers post. It was seething with anger, disappointment and contempt. Some would call it a cheap shot... I won't judge it that way... I see it as misdirected energy.
His further justification of "bragging rights" pushed me deeper into my ire!
Are we to assume that people should position themselves in here based on their serial number?
I would far rather see somebody brag that they own a Zenesis than Brag that they have a low serial number... which by the way... these are ALL low serials that have been shipped...
It's just not in my nature to see the value in a low serial number! I do know others will disagree, but It isn't my intent to entertain that.
But Obs post tugged at me... Calmed me down... reminded me of the Japanese garden in my own back yard, which has yet to be brought into spring condition.
My favorite Lotus has no serial number... But the beauty is astounding...
The sound of the frogs that make this place their home by depostitng 25 billion eggs each year... and croak
through the night... they have no serial numbers either. And they enrich my life in a way that NO PV can ever do.
I value these things far above any PV I own... Far above any possession... far and away beyond any physical thing...
Peacefulness... Mindfulness... calmness... Joy...
No serial numbers on this stuff... and that raises the value.
My friends with gardens don't call me and brag that their water lilies are in bloom before mine... They don't compare how many Water Hyacinths have blossomed... or that they got theirs before me.
Serial numbers brought out the ugly side of man... the competitiveness... the braggadocio... one-upsmanship.
I wish I never put serials on them.... but the damage is done... to take them off, well... they makes things uglier... counter to my goal... To continue to use them, well... it fuels the fire!
So... I think the best course of action is to continue... and I will make it well known that these will ship in absolutely random order (within their production runs)
I simply cannot have the number on the PV give an advantage to one person over an other and I refuse to classify people by their timeliness in purchasing a PV.
It would be a slap in the face of everybody involved to create a hierarchy based on who got here first.
We are ALL the same... One Zenfidel is equally as significant as another... Your serial number doesn't define you... and it will not be allowed to.
And I don't ever wish to see this kind of ugliness surrounding this issue again.